Islamic College of South Australia head dress code dispute escalates A row between an Islamic school and a teachers' union over a dress code has escalated into a battle over fundamental workers' rights. AN ARGUMENT between an Islamic school and a teachers' union over a dress code requiring that requires all female staff to wear a headscarf has escalated into a battle over fundamental workers' rights. The Independent Education Union is blaming a culture clash for its claim the Islamic College of South Australia is failing to adhere to workplace laws allowing collective bargaining and providing the union lawful access to staff on school grounds. The college controversially sacked a female staff member last year for breaching its dress policy, which includes women having to wear head scarfs at the West Croydon school. This woman's claim of unfair dismissal has been resolved by confidential mediation but the union said the policy was still being enforced and applies to all staff regardless of their faith. "The issue has not gone away - it is still seething," the union's state secretary Glen Seidel said. Staff to target college dress code The headwear caused a big flurry but it is a symptom of something bigger with the (school) board's view about how employees are represented industrially. They don't appreciate the Fair Work Act laws. Mr Seidel said the industrial situation at the school was a "bloody mess," but he said the union had taken the matter to Fair Work Australia. He expects the school will be "brought to the table" to discuss enterprise bargaining and allow union representatives to speak to staff "without the intimidation" of a school board member present. The school has more than 700 students enrolled from Kindergarten to Year 12 and employs more than 50 staff. Mr Seidel said the school board chairman Farouk Kahn had a "much more hands-on role than any other school" in formulating the school's existing policy. The Advertiser contacted Mr Kahn but he declined to comment. Principal Kadir Emniyet said he had also been instructed not to comment on any issue raised by the union. However, it is understood the school has engaged lawyers to deal with the issue of wage negotiations. A former principal of the school, Julia Abdelale, who was sacked in October last year, is also pursuing a case of unfair dismissal, according to the union. It was reported she had difficulties working with the board.