AEU Journal Vol 43 No.4

Vol 43 | No. 4

June 2011

AEUJOURNAL SA Inside: u WorkChoices:

still alive?

u School

Cleaning: members raise concerns

it’s your

PAC

NO gimmicks.

Just great health insurance.

CMYK

Call 1300 728 188 or visit teachershealth.com.au to find out more Teachers Federation Health Ltd ABN 86 097 030 414 trading as Teachers Health Fund SAAEU-0611

Features President’s View

AEU Union Journal Training

Inside: u WorkChoices:

still alive?

u School

Cleaning: members raise concerns

Dead, Buried and Cremated?

it’s your

PAC

page 10 WorkChoices-style industrial policy lives on despite Abbott’s promises.

It’s your PAC - make it work at your school

School Cleaning

pages 12 – 13 An effective Personnel Advisory Committee is the key to managing member workload.

page 16 – 17 DECS squeezes the lemon too hard.

Letters to the Editor

*Winner of top letter!

Not eligible?

I am a contract teacher. I have choreographed Wakakirri performances, sat through hours of good, bad and ugly T&D sessions, taken excursions, attended a multitude of parent-teacher interviews, written countless reports and made innumerable calls home. I have slaved over the minutiae of SACSA and SACE, learnt edu-speak and every acronym in the system. I have had students scream in my face and cry in my arms. I have helped students from twelve to sixty-five years old believe that they are intelligent and worthy human beings, despite their social circumstances. I have proudly marched with my AEU banner down the grey streets of Adelaide with my colleagues and comforted those students who have been hurt by the State Government’s grotesque thoughtlessness. I am a knowledgeable and effective teacher and a valuable asset to the Department of Education.

Unfortunately I have been teaching longer than three years and am not eligi-

ble for the positions offered to the Graduate and Early Career Teachers. n

Renee Howell Para West Adult Campus

Great conference!

As the next scheduled Employable Teachers Consultative Committee meeting is some way off, I wanted to express in a BLACK timely manner my appreciation for the quality of the recent Employable Teacher’s Conference.

The relaxed atmosphere, diversity and quality of the information presented made for a day which myself and others found stimulating and enjoyable. The conference balanced professionalism with a relaxed format, obviously reflecting the AEU’s appreciation of how Contract/TRT’s usually end the term: exhausted and contemplating an unknown stint of equally stressful unemployment. It’s nice to know that someone appreciates us!

The conference included a diverse range of workshops about employment issues encountered by contract/TRT members and whilst I could not attend everything on offer, I felt encouraged because the AEU effectively recognised our particular issues and our industrial rights and/or responsibilities. This is evidenced by the interest in rejuvenating the Temporary Relief Teachers’ Association.

Australian Education Union SA Branch 163 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA 5063 Telephone: 8272 1399 Facsimile: 8373 1254 Email: journal@aeusa.asn.au Editor: Craig Greer AEU Journal is published seven times annually by the South Australian Branch of the Australian Education Union.

Deadline Dates #5 July 29 #6 September 2 #7 October 21

Publication Dates August 17 September 21 November 9

Subscriptions: Free for AEU members. Nonmembers may subscribe for $33 per year.

Print Post approved PP 531629/0025 ISSN 1440-2971 Cover: Ady Shane Photography Printing: Finsbury Green Printing

Advertise in the AEU Journal. Reach over 13,500 members across South Australia.

8272 1399 journal@aeusa.asn.au

For me, the behaviour management session run by the Cowandilla Learning Centre was very informative and it reassured me that I’m on the right track with my approach and methods.

As TRTs infrequently receive feedback or comments, even if we’re not called again by a school, we are left out of the loop of professional development on student behaviour management. This does little to support our sense of commitment to the profession or encourage our wider inclusion in schools as communities.

Having worked in hospitality and events management, I genuinely appreciate that the catering was excellent, the food of good quality, well prepared and attractively presented. In short, well done and many thanks! n

Josephine Buckhorn Employable Teacher

Best letter in each AEU Journal will receive two tickets to an Adelaide Symphony Orchestra concert. Three contributors will receive a double movie pass courtesy of Palace Nova Cinemas.

Email to:

journal@aeusa.asn.au

3

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President’s View

Time for Action The fight for long service leave is heating up “Should the government fail to restore the full entitlement, public sector unions have decided to take industrial action.”

T

reasurer Jack Snelling handed down his first State Budget on June 9 and whilst many public sector employees were pleased that there would be a re-commitment to “no forced redundancies” and a restoration of leave loading, there was little to celebrate for the education sector.

In terms of additional expenditure for preschools, schools and TAFE, the budget was very flat. Also, the Treasurer failed to deliver full restoration of long service leave entitlements for employees and announced another 400 positions would be cut from the public sector.

For AEU members, the loss of six days long service leave after 15 years service will effectively slash our upcoming October salary increase from 4% to 1.75% (schools and preschools) and from 3.5% to 1.25% (TAFE). The AEU has been fully engaged in the SA Unions campaign to restore workers’ rights and it is now evident that we may have to take the next step with our trade union colleagues.

Since the Budget was handed down, there have been discussions with the Treasurer about the return of public sector long service leave entitlements.

Unions have agreed to enter into good faith negotiations with the government to look at proposals for restoring member’s conditions. However, as this leave is being removed from employees on July 1, we have given the Treasurer a very tight deadline for these negotiations.

SA Unions Executive will meet on July 1 to determine the success or otherwise of the negotiations. Should the govern-

ment fail to restore the full entitlement, public sector unions have decided to take industrial action for a half day on Friday July 29.

AEU Branch Council has endorsed this action and it is our intention to ballot members should we need to elevate our fight for industrial rights. We know that you will stand united with our trade union colleagues in this action.

Recruitment and Selection The most significant changes to Recruitment and Selection procedures in several years are about to be implemented after the AEU membership ballot returned a 75% yes vote in favour of the new policy.

Over 5000 members participated in the ballot, which closed on Friday June 17. The Industrial Relations Commission Arbitration decision of 2010 found that the high level of contract employment in SA schools was unacceptable, so both the AEU and DECS agreed to begin negotiations on a new policy and procedures.

During the negotiations the AEU achieved significant improvements including: • The placement of PATs into ongoing positions before any positions are advertised • Guaranteed transfer rights for staff in country schools • Preferential placements for teachers in hard-to-staff schools • Changes to leadership right of return • Increased opportunity for contract and permanent staff to apply for advertised positions • A contract conversion to permanency process.

However, we cannot take the new procedures for granted. The policy relies

heavily on consequential vacancies being available through retirements and resignations and schools taking up the option to advertise positions.

Whilst there is a very strong function for Site HR and central placement, the role of the Principal and the PAC will also be vital in the local selection process.

The AEU will be keeping a very close eye on the implementation process and the consequential vacancy data.

The AEU was also successful in extracting a guarantee that a review would occur in 2012 to look at the recruitment and selection data. If there are any issues or concerns that arise throughout the implementation process, we will continue to negotiate necessary improvements to the policy with DECS. AEU members are asked to bring any issues to our attention as soon as possible.

It is our understanding that DECS will begin implementing the policy immediately and will be running information sessions across the State. n If you would like further information about the policy, please contact the AEU Information Unit on:

% 8272 1399

In solidarity, Correna Haythorpe | AEU President

TAX STATEMENT 2010-2011

Union membership subscriptions are tax deductible.

A tax statement confirming membership subscriptions received by the Union from the first working day in July 2010 to the close of business on the last working day in June 2011 will be forwarded to all members after 30 June.

Members who have advised their email address will have the tax statement emailed to them.

The statement is a summary of subscriptions received by the Union for the financial year and is not a request for payment.

The statement includes personal and employment details.

• Have you been re-classified to Step 9 or won a leadership position?

• Changed your fraction of time?

• Changed your home or email address or worksite?

Please check your details and contact the AEU Membership section by email:

membership@aeusa.asn.au or telephone: 8272 1399 to advise us of

changes or additional information.

5

AEU Information Unit

Leaders Focus

Questions from the Workplace

Principals’ Consultative Committee – a united voice for leaders

Q A

AEU Information Unit | Mon – Fri | 10:30am – 5pm |

As a secondary teacher can I be expected to teach a practical subject that I am not qualified in?

You cannot be made to take on a responsibility which could create an unacceptable risk of injury (both physical or psychological) to either yourself or a student. This is especially important for practical subjects where there is a higher risk of injury. For example, if an injury occurred to a student in a Technical Studies, Home Economics or a Science class and the supervising teacher was not qualified to teach that subject, questions would be asked as to why a teacher was teaching that subject when unqualified to do so.

Section 21 (1a) of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 places responsibility on an employee to take “reasonable care to avoid adversely affecting the health or safety of any other person through an act or omission at work”.

Section 22 (1) of the above Act places a responsibility on the employer to “ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any other person (not being an employee employed or engaged by the employer …) is safe from injury and risks to health.”

If a student is injured in a class, SafeWork SA would, in all likelihood, investigate the matter under Sections 21 and 22 of the OHS&W Act and could pursue a criminal prosecution against the employer (DECS) and the employee(s). The injured student could also pursue a civil action of negligence against both the employer and employee(s).

Q A

Do contract teachers accrue Long Service Leave?

Contract teachers and TRTs are eligible to accrue long service leave for periods of effective service. Periods of leave without pay do not count as effective service.

% 8272 1399

Q A

I am going on two terms Long Service Leave at half pay. What happens to my AEU membership?

To maintain your membership you would still be required to pay your subscriptions but at half the amount for the time you are on Long Service Leave.

In order to ensure this occurs, contact AEU Membership to amend your subscripn tions for the two terms.

Anne Walker AEU Legal and Information Officer 6

Kangaroo Island Community Education Principal and PCC Chair Ian Kent reports we are truly the one united voice for leaders across public education in South Australia.

The Consultative Committee plays an integral role in establishing the direction for the design and development of the Enterprise Bargaining (EB) Log of Claims and encourages feedback from all leaders about the future of public education in South Australia.

There were many issues raised, formulated and put forward for leaders during the last EB. Unfortunately, some of the key issues were not addressed by the Industrial Relations Commission in the recent arbitration. The main one that affects us all is workload, and DECS and the AEU have been ordered by the Commission to form a working party to look at the issues.

T

he AEU Principals’ Consultative Committee (PCC) has leader representation from all sectors of DECS. We have leaders representing high schools, primary schools, junior primary schools, area schools, R-12 schools, multicampus schools, special schools and small schools.

We are currently looking at how we can get preschool representation on the committee.

The depth of skills and experience among the leader representatives is second-to-none and comes from both country and metropolitan areas. When we talk country we are talking about rural and remote as well as larger regional centres.

We believe through building on the capacity within this group and using the extensive networks that leaders have,

Workload is one of the main focus areas of the PCC leading into the next EB. Currently the PCC has an EB reference group that is working closely with the AEU President, Correna Haythorpe.

We have also formulated portfolio groups: Resourcing, Curriculum, Workload and Human Resources. Members of the PCC on each of these groups will be bringing issues from their networks to put forward positive and constructive resolutions for AEU Executive to consider when negotiating with DECS on providing a more efficient and effective model of public education in South Australia.

The PCC is also going to work with Correna and other AEU personnel in the development of a strategic plan that reflects the work of the AEU, the PCC and how we can be more consultative – to not only meet the needs of our members, but build on the capacity within our membership to get a better overall n deal for public education.

Early Childhood

Country members recruiting in Rural Care Booleroo Centre members hit the road to recruit ECWs

M

1 Katrina Graefe

1 Vanessa Stone

tive action,” says Anne.

Vanessa Stone says AEU membership has helped her a great deal. “As an ECW, based in a rural setting, union membership has provided me with a great deal of support. It’s great to be able to ring the union about award information, permanency conversion enquiries and receive updates on other important information that affects us all.”

“I have also had loads of training and development over the last few years, all thanks to the AEU who also provided relief support and accommodation. This is really appreciated as we work on our own most of the time. To be able to attend training and liaise with other people who work in early childhood settings has been very informative,” she says.

Vanessa and Katrina are very keen for other Rural Care ECWs to experience these benefits. “To meet with ECWs who work in the same role in isolated settings has provided more valuable insights into the challenges we all face working

“The ECWs visited so far were not even aware the AEU could represent them and thus unaware of the benefits union membership can offer.”

ECW

any of our members have never heard of Rural Care, a program in small rural towns that provides a full-day childcare option where there is not a big enough population to support a stand-alone childcare centre.

Usually managed by kindergarten directors – although at least two are run from schools – they are staffed by early childhood workers (ECWs), who often work alone. There are only 12 such programs in South Australia. It is a wonderful service for small country towns but there are some issues for the ECWs. For example: • ECWs often work alone in the centre with little or no support • There is no paid time for setting up and packing up • Accreditation is a huge workload issue that is not adequately resourced • Access to training and development can be very difficult • Getting together with Rural Care ECWs from other centres is almost impossible as the centres are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday – Friday.

Distance and lack of relief staff also adds to the problem.

The Melrose and Booleroo Centre Rural care programs are both managed from the Booleroo Centre Kindergarten.

Earlier this year, Vanessa Stone and Katrina Graefe, two ECWs from Booleroo/ Melrose – who were both made permanent in the last round of conversions – travelled down to the AEU to participate in some union education specifically targeting early childhood members.

As a result of that training, Vanessa and Katrina are working with Anne Beinke, Port Pirie-based Organiser, to visit as many Rural Care ECWs around the State as possible. “The aim is to talk to ECWs about their issues and how the AEU can work with them to improve their working conditions. We want ECWs to join and discover the power of collec-

alone. We are both looking forward to keeping in contact and exchanging ideas with the people we’ve met,” says Katrina.

Anne Beinke says the visits to sites with a Rural Care program have increased ECWs’ awareness of union membership and what it means.

“The ECWs visited so far were not even aware the AEU could represent them and thus unaware of the benefits union membership can offer.”

“With more visits planned, hopefully there will be more Rural Care ECWs joining the ranks of the AEU very soon. With more members we can work together for a better deal,” she said. n 7

Federal Funding 7 From left: AEU President Correna Haythorpe, Glenelg PS parent Karen Tierney and Principal Raelene Taggart million) and increased by 11% ($939 million) for private schools.

Steve Georganas MHR Member for Hindmarsh

Fighting for funding in the nation’s capital Glenelg Primary School Principal Raelene Taggart reports on the AEU’s recent delegation to Canberra.

O

n Public Education Day, Thursday May 26, Glenelg PS parent Karen Tierney and I were part of a delegation from all states in Australia to lobby Members of Parliament for improved funding for public schools.

We travelled to Canberra with AEU SA Branch President Correna Haythorpe and Lead Organiser Howard Spreadbury.

Our goal was to lobby to ensure every child has access to an education system that will support them to reach their full potential.

Peter Garrett MHR Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth On the Wednesday evening we met with AEU delegates from around Australia at Parliament House. Peter Garrett addressed the meeting and stated that the current Federal Schools Funding Model was “grossly unfair” and had “reached its use-by-date”.

Stating that there needs to be a point of difference between public and private education, he argued that a strong public system underpins an even stronger private sector and therefore is in the best interest of all factions.

8

He expects that the current funding review will hand down its findings in October this year and pledged that the Labor Party would consider these and take action by March 2012. Many other Members of Parliament attended the evening, listening to the views of delegates and discussing their views of the current situation.

Christopher Pyne Shadow Minister for Education Our group spoke for some time with Christopher Pyne MHR, Shadow Minister for Education. He expressed that he believed the current system was working well. He spoke to us about schools in his electorate and mentioned the entrepreneurial skills of Loreto College who have just purchased a street full of houses so they may expand in the future when needed. He compared this to the lack of foresight of Burnside Primary School with such large numbers but no room and no plan to expand their site to cater for their students!

If there is no change to the current system, University of Sydney Associate Professor Dr Jim McMorrow has predicted that by 2014/15 federal funding to public schools will be cut by 6% ($330

After a briefing on Thursday morning we planned for our meeting with Steve Georganas MHR, Member for Hindmarsh.

Correna provided Steve with some of the figures regarding the amounts of federal funding received at specific sites both private and public. I provided Steve with a copy of the Glenelg Primary School submission to the funding review and Karen and I both spoke with him about the impact on us at Glenelg.

We gave Mr. Georganas a positive message with examples of some of the great things public schools were doing, but stressed that we deserved more funding to do an even better job. We urged him to be an advocate for a change in the federal funding model for schools.

Some of the key points regarding the need for clear criteria and equitable access to funding in all schools discussed and noted by Steve included: • The reliance in public schools on the involvement of parents in programs to support student development • BER funding has assisted to improve and upgrade the infrastructure in schools • Teacher professional development is essential to continually improve the educational outcomes of students • Facilities developed in public schools provide access to the community at all times • We need to set high standards for all students and therefore we need appropriate resourcing in all sectors.

Further Action Mr Georganas has made a commitment to receive a further delegation at his office from students from schools within his electorate. He has undertaken to raise our concerns related to the funding of public schools with the Education Committee within the ALP. He committed to advancing our views and concerns through the ALP caucus and will make representation to the Education Caucus Committee within the Social Policy group.

We felt that the meeting was successful and we will be following up our visit to Canberra with actions back here in the electorate of Hindmarsh. n

TA FE Focus

Vice President’s Report

Workload an issue in TAFE

Recruitment and Selection Policy needs reform

The AEU SA is in consultation with members regarding the affects on member workload as a result of the Industrial Relations Commission’s definition of instruction and assessment. The Commission defines this as the delivery of instruction and training to students and the evaluation of students’ skills and/or competencies using one or more methodologies. Methodologies may include:

AEU Vice President Anne Crawford writes

• Online activities • Project work (which may be TAFE SA, worksite or independent learning) • Assessments/tests • Industry assessments • Class delivery • On job training • Distance delivery • Video conferencing • Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

TAFE

The Commission determined that in order to avoid the allocation of excessive workload, the amount of work to be undertaken by the lecturer in addition to the scheduled hours, including training package and curriculum development work, the development of course materials, course coordination duties and participation in Quality Assurance Groups will be assessed and reflected in the allocation of scheduled hours.

At the time of writing, AEU Subbranch Secretaries have just organised one of the most important ballots our union has conducted in recent years. Members have now voted in support of a new Recruitment and Selection Policy for teachers in schools that contains some very significant changes.

This policy has a huge impact on the quality of public education across South Australia. All AEU members would agree that every child in our State should have equal access to a varied and rich curriculum and that teachers in remote and other hard-to-staff schools should receive incentives and recognition for the challenges they face on a daily basis as a consequence of location, complexity and demography.

As Vice-President I have had the privilege of travelling to many country and remote areas to work with members in every part of the State. Recently we have conducted many information sessions for members regarding the proposed changes to teacher placement. On a personal level, this has been a stark reminder of the tyranny of distance for so many AEU members in accessing professional development or even basic information about changes that have the potential to impact very significantly on their personal and working lives.

Driving back recently from Wudinna to Port Lincoln on a dark and stormy night, being vigilant to avoid kangaroos and other wildlife, I was acutely aware that fellow members who had attended the training session in Wudinna were travelling in equally or even more hazardous conditions to Streaky Bay, Ceduna, Koonibba and other locations.These members have to make so much more effort, often in risky circumstances, to get access to faceto-face professional development, than those in my situation who live in reasonable proximity to their places of work.

The intense negotiations associated with reviewing the Policy have also highlighted very serious questions of equity.

The ten year rule has proved a dismal failure, resulting in very little movement and minimal opportunities for teachers to relocate. Most genuine ongoing vacancies

Many members believe that the lack of consultation by management has resulted in excessive workloads and have raised this with the Union. The Union, with aid of members who have successfully consulted around their workload schedules, is endeavouring to highlight these positive practices of the consultation process by producing materials to aid members in their own workload discussions. n Tony Sutherland AEU Organiser, TAFE Focus

have not been declared for several years.

As a result, many permanent teachers have spent too many years as PATs, hundreds of contract teachers have been denied the opportunity to gain permanency, and teachers in country and hard to staff metropolitan schools have found it increasingly difficult to secure employment in alternative locations.

I view the introduction of the new Recruitment and Selection Policy as a first step in addressing some of the most blatant inadequacies in current practices.

The vast majority of PATs will be placed in ongoing, stable positions. Teachers in country schools will have real guarantees in relocating to the metropolitan area should they wish to do so, and increased access to alternative country locations.

Contract teachers will have a significantly increased chance of gaining permanency in the whole range of schools. A voluntary transfer system will enable teachers to exercise greater opportunities to work in a range of settings. Equally importantly, there is a degree of recognition that local management must be balanced by a sense of systemic responsibility.

The changes do not address every issue.

For example, teachers in Category 1 and 2 schools will still not have a guarantee of placement elsewhere but will retain high priority for transfer after a specified time.

However, on balance, they do take some account of those teachers who have had the worst deal in recent years.

In meeting with teachers and leaders all over the State in the past few weeks, it has been obvious everyone agrees that teacher placement processes have been far from equitable. It is timely to make changes, even though they may not deliver all we would wish.

The AEU member ballot has strongly endorsed the need for reform. I believe that the new policy is only the first step in working together to confront the challenge of a more equitable public education system for staff and students alike. There is a very real need in the next round of enterprise bargaining to consolidate any improvements in teacher placement with a range of incentives that will encourage teachers and leaders to apply for, and remain in, positions that entail the greatest complexity and challenges. n 9

Editorial

Dead, buried and cremated?

Sure thing Tony.

Recent attacks on workers’ rights give the lie to Abbott’s industrial promises writes Craig Greer

P

rior to the last Federal Election Tony Abbott was forced to make a promise that neither he nor his State Liberal colleagues intended to keep.

With the ALP seizing on comments from the Opposition Leader implying a possible return to the dark days of WorkChoices, Abbott prevented a landslide defeat by proclaiming the Howard-era policy “dead, buried and cremated.” He even went as far as signing a contract to that effect on a Melbourne talkback radio show.

Fast-forward to June 2011 and Tony Abbott’s NSW counterpart Barry O’Farrell, seemingly taking a lead from the South Australian Labor Party, is doing his best to resurrect some of the worst aspects of a policy which brought to an emphatic end the reign of John Howard.

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Seemingly ignoring recent political history and thumbing his nose at the hard-won rights of NSW public sector workers, Barry O’Farrell has introduced legislation that strikes not only at the heart of a union’s right to collectively bargain but at democracy itself.

Rubber stamp Gagging debate as Parliament sat on June 4, the NSW State Government rammed through new legislation known as the Public Sector Conditions of Employment Bill, giving it the power to determine the wages and working conditions of teachers, nurses, fire fighters, clerks, librarians, community and other public sector workers. The gag was applied as a large protest took place outside Parliament where debate was continuing from the Friday sitting. The legislation effectively turns the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) into a rubber stamp for implementing government policy.

Despite opposition from the Greens, a somewhat decimated ALP and increasing discontent in the community about the proposed bill, the Liberals allied themselves with the ultra-conservative Shooters Party and Fred Nile’s Right Christian Democratic Party to get the numbers they needed to virtually rule

by decree on industrial relations.

As we know from recent experiences in South Australia, such behaviour from democratically elected governments is not restricted to the Liberal Party. In fact, it may well be the South Australian ALP with their recent overriding of industrially awarded working conditions that provided the inspiration for what is currently taking place in NSW. In what many in the press are referring to as “divide and rule tactics” the O’Farrell Government went as far as exempting police from the new law to ensure they don’t join the protests, which are bound to increase in number as anger in the community and public sector builds.

Serious attack on workers rights Describing the NSW legislation as the “most serious attack on rights at work since the Howard Government’s WorkChoices laws,” ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence called on Tony Abbott to come out of hiding and condemn the new laws.

“These laws would allow the O’Farrell Liberal Government to cut pay and conditions, without negotiation or consultation. These are the people who work hard every day providing the people of

State Budget

“we will continue to campaign strongly against these insidious anti-worker attacks.”

Snelling Budget does little to redress Foley’s failure

NSW with vital services,” he said.

“Tony Abbott has been happy to swan into workplaces around the country the past couple of weeks to attempt to pose as the working person’s best friend, but when rights at work are really under attack he is nowhere to be seen,” he added.

he 2011-12 State Budget has done little to address the broad range of concerns felt by public sector workers in general, and education workers in particular, arising from the 201011 Foley Budget.

The public sector unions campaign unleashed a year ago has scored a modest gain with the restoration of recreation leave for those employees (not in education) from whom it was taken.

There has been no move towards restoration of the Long Service Leave entitlement taken last year, although the new Treasurer has indicated that a working party will examine proposals for a different way of restoring in some form of cash payment the lost equivalent in LSL. To add to last year’s concerns, Treasurer Snelling outlined a plan that would see public servants deemed surplus to needs and if unable to find alternative public sector employment within 12 months, sacked. The Advertiser stated that this was a “first move towards ending tenure for public servants.”

We must stand united The ALP attacks on workers rights being fought by unions, including the AEU, in South Australia and this similarly disgraceful move by the NSW Liberals are testimony to the fact that workers cannot trust governments of either persuasion to keep their promises. As a non-partisan union that fights tooth and nail for its members regardless of who the government of the day might be, the AEU – and our colleagues in the NSW Teachers Federation – will continue to campaign strongly against these insidious anti-worker attacks.

With both major parties at the state and federal levels pursuing an agenda of budget cuts, privatisation and the slashing of services, it’s important that the Australian trade union movement stands as one to put an end to attacks on public sector employees while advancing the position of all working people across the country. n

 ACTION

The 2011-12 State Budget has not addressed former Treasurer Foley’s cuts to the public service prompting SA Unions to give it “barely a passing mark of 2.5 out of 5.”

Speaking on the day of the State Budget, SA Unions Secretary Janet Giles says unions will continue their campaigning because the government has done nothing to reverse the $2 billion in cuts announced as part of last year’s Budget or reinstate jobs.

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None of the 24 cuts announced for the school sector in Foley’s budget were reversed, although campaigns by members have seen minor modifications to savings related to adult re-entry and some school amalgamations.

The Snelling Budget has provided $16.6m over five years to help schools pay their electricity bills, begging the question of why it was a good idea in the first place to pass them this responsibility.

A new School Learning Portal – yet to be risk assessed in terms of OHSW and workload – will be developed with funds from existing departmental resources.

A four-year funding program will support the implementation of the National Partnerships Agreement on early childhood education.

Whilst it lacks the savagery of the Foley Budget, the first Snelling Budget provides little for education. n Mike Williss Research Officer

“We don’t see any evidence that Premier Mike Rann’s latest Budget is taking any measures to right the wrongs of last year.”

“We have been fighting for our services, to make sure that every family and community shares in the prosperity of this great State and we don’t see any evidence in this Budget that things have improved.” n

Send the Rann State Government a message to overturn the budget cuts. Go to:

8: www.saworkingpeople.com.au 11

Cover Story: The PAC

Your PAC – the key to making the most of our Award In partnership with the Principal, the PAC must be consultative and democratic

T

he 2010 Arbitrated Enterprise Bargaining Award led to substantial salary increases for all membership sectors and improvements to conditions as they relate to members’ work. Considering the State Government’s intransigence this was, on the whole, a great result.

But there is another reality we must address – clauses won in our Award will count for nothing unless we all work hard to implement them at the chalkface. It’s by no means a stretch to say that in schools, the operation of an effective Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC) is key to turning those hard-won conditions into reality.

In recent weeks the AEU has conducted training for over 500 PAC members, who should by now be well informed on the content of the recently agreed PAC Handbook. AEU members who are not on their school’s PAC should also read this document so they are aware of how the PAC should operate. We all need to make sure our PAC is working well so that staffing and other operational decisions are fair, equitable and ultimately lead to the delivery of a high quality curriculum.

What should your PAC look like?

First and foremost, it should be a partnership. This means that all the decisions of the PAC should be made by consensus and only after genuine consultation.

The new Award states: “The Principal in partnership with the PAC, will develop a Human Resource Profile consistent with the Arbitrated Enterprise Bargaining Award.” Decisions on deployment of staffing, face-to-face teaching requirements, leadership structures, training and development, placement procedures, 12

“Decisions of the PAC relating to human resourcing should be made by consensus.”

identification of vacancies, creation of job specifications, the planning of the program of instruction and the organisation of classes within a school are some of the key areas the PAC must address in partnership with the Principal and in consultation with staff.

Composition The PAC comprises the Principal (or nominee), an elected AEU representative, an Equal Opportunity representative elected by all staff at the school and a member of non-teaching staff who will participate only when the PAC is to deal with matters pertaining to non teaching staff.

The PAC must meet at least twice per term and meeting times and agendas must be published well in advance to enable staff to raise concerns. Minutes, recommendations and outcomes determined at PAC meetings must also be published and accessible to all staff. If this isn’t happening at your site it should be raised at your next subbranch meeting.

Consultation All members of the PAC are required to consult with and represent staff. The Award states that “consultation involves the sharing of information and the exchange of views between DECS and the employee and a genuine opportuni-

ty for employees to contribute effectively to the decision making process and a bona fide opportunity to influence the decision making.”

The PAC Handbook states: “In every school the effective operation of the PAC is dependent on the engagement of all relevant staff in consultation processes that inform decision making within the committee.”

When representing and consulting with staff, PAC members must have regard to relevant equal opportunity, OHSW, work life balance and workload issues.

If these principles aren’t adhered to, members should raise their concerns at the sub-branch meeting. A PAC that is not open and transparent is unlikely to be making fair decisions and may well be operating in breach of the Award.

Consensus Decisions of the PAC relating to human resourcing should be made by consensus. Staff must be genuinely consulted and given the opportunity to take part in decision-making processes.

Where consensus isn’t possible a decision can be made by majority agreement of the PAC including the Principal (or nominee).

Workload The PAC has an important role in addressing workload concerns and addressing workload grievances. The PAC must ensure the workloads of staff are reasonable and when it makes decisions it must have regard to staff work life balance and workload. Given the Industrial Relations Commission acknowledged that member workload is unacceptably high, this becomes and even more important aspect of the work of the PAC.

Cover Story: The PAC

Make the PAC work at your school It’s through the implementation of an effective PAC that works in partnership with the Principal, consults broadly with staff and makes decisions based consensus that fairness and equity can exist in our schools. By involving staff in workplace decision-making, members are able to have some control over workload and have constructive input into the operation of the school.

It’s in the interests of all members to ensure our efforts in gaining a new Award result in improved conditions.

It’s your PAC – make it work at your school. n

1 Naraco0rte High School PAC from left: Patricia Colman, Kym Grant, John Agnew and Matt Hood

Naracoorte High School PAC is showing the way Sub-branch Secretary John Agnew and Principal Kym Grant talk to the AEU Journal John Agnew | Sub-branch Secretary Journal: How long have you been on the PAC? John: This is my second stint on the Naracoorte PAC. I’ve been a member since the start of this term and was previously a member for a year. We try to rotate the staff on the PAC so it’s not always the same person representing the AEU. Journal: How has the new Award affected the way the PAC runs?

John: As soon as the Award was handed down the PAC had a lot of conversation about the implications for staffing; working out what constituted instruction time in order to plan timetables and so on.

We have a high number of beginning teachers and a lot of staff on maternity leave. We also have a significant outdoor education and agriculture program. So with complex staffing requirements we really have to be on the ball. I guess I wouldn’t say the way the PAC runs has changed but certainly the complexity of the Award means the PAC has to work a bit harder in order to consult and make good decisions on staffing matters.

Journal: How would you describe the way your PAC operates? Is it a partnership?

John: It’s very much a partnership. Our

Principal has consulted widely with the PAC. I can’t recall a decision he’s taken that hasn’t been discussed by the PAC in consultation with staff. It works by consensus and we have had little to disagree on. Of course, it’s very important that the Principal is committed to the spirit of the Award and has a style that promotes staff input and consultation.

Journal: How does the PAC consult with members in a large site like Naracoorte HS? John: The PAC reports at every staff meeting. If things have to be talked through as a whole staff we make time for that at the meeting. The PAC meets weekly because, as I said, we have a lot of staffing issues to deal with.

Journal: Have the staff got a good understanding of the new Award?

John: We’ve done some work in staff meetings on the new Award and I think overall our staff are well informed about its content. I guess it’s an ongoing thing and we are constantly trying to improve the way we do things. All our PAC members have been trained and are well informed. n

Kym Grant | Principal Journal: Do you have an effective PAC? Kym: I think so. It’s a very transparent process and we consult with and report to staff regularly. My interpretation of the new

EB is that it’s heavily focused around equity of workload. Sometimes conversations about what constitutes ‘other duties’ are difficult because every school context is different. We certainly haven’t perfected it yet but we are constantly working to manage workload – which to me is the underlying premise of the new EB. Journal: Does consultation make the decision making process harder or easier for you as a leader?

Kym: I’d say easier. The philosophy of our PAC hasn’t changed much but the new Award is allowing us to have more conversations, which enables greater clarity.

Having professional discussions about what we believe is important at this site I think leads to better decisions and is a good thing for our school. I don’t think we’ve really had that in the past.

Our PAC provides a forum for all of the staff to have their say, knowing that if they raise an issue it’s going to be discussed, a decision will be made and it will be made fairly and consultatively. n

it’s your

PAC 13

Aboriginal Education

Recognition a step towards reconciliation

R

econciliation Week took place from May 27 to June 3 this year and the AEU was again involved in a number of events. One of these events included the premiere of For Love of Country, a film about the history of Aboriginal servicemen and women and their contribution to the Australian armed forces.

From the Boer War to the current day, hundreds of South Australian men and women of Aboriginal descent have volunteered to serve in the Australian armed forces, even when the law stipulated they were

not allowed to join – just another example of how Aboriginal people were treated like second-class citizens in their own land.

Produced by Reconciliation SA, For Love of Country premiered at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute and was subsequently shown at the AEU/DECS Reconciliation Seminar after the Aboriginal Members’ Conference the following week.

The documentary by Melbourne-based film maker Malcolm McKinnon received a fantastic response from those in attendance. Short and engaging, For Love of Country encourages greater recognition of the contribution of Aboriginal service men and women and their families through stories from overseas warzones and from the frontline at home in Australia. Schools will soon receive a copy of the film along with an education pack to assist teachers with lesson planning.

Many non-Aboriginal people in attendance freely admitted they had no idea of the depth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in past wars, demonstrating there is still a long way to go before the history of Aboriginal Australia becomes common knowledge.

Other events held during Reconciliation Week included a memorial for Aboriginal servicemen and women, a youth disco at Carclew, cultural performances in Rundle Mall, the Lowitja O’Donoghue oration (Paul Keating), and the annual Reconciliation Breakfast, which was held at the National Wine Centre. AEU members and staff attended both the Lowitja O’Donoghue oration and the Reconciliation Breakfast, the latter featuring a keynote from Aboriginal academic Jackie Huggins (pictured).

Deputy Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at the University of Queensland, Dr Huggins took the opportunity to make a passionate call for constitutional reform, which she says is much needed if we are to improve the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian society. Her speech received a long and loud applause by the more than 300 people in n attendance.

“Be the Change, I am the Change” T

he 2011 AEU Aboriginal Members’ Conference was held on Monday June 6. The conference, entitled “Be the change, I am the change” opened with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Lewis O’Brien and was followed by a fantastic performance by staff and students from Northfield Primary School (pictured).

The keynote speaker for the conference this year was the Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Minister for Education. In highlighting the importance of Aboriginal educators and the great work they do in the support of Aboriginal students and their families, Mr Weatherill discussed, among other things, the need to work toward further

improvements in the overall success rates of Aboriginal students.

The day continued with a great range of workshops and an informative cultural presentation from SA Unions Aboriginal Project Officer Karrangal John Hartley.

This year was our biggest ever Aboriginal Member’s Conference with over 70 members attending. I would like to thank everyone who came and particularly the members of the Aboriginal Education Consultative Committee for their hard work both on the day and in preparation for the n conference.

Danny Ellis, AEU Organiser Aboriginal Education Focus

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Early Childhood

AEU meets with Minister on new Framework

AEU

Education Pack launched

F

rom 2007 to 2010 Reconciliation SA has produced an annual Education Pack for all schools in South Australia.

This year’s Education Pack, Citizenship: Let’s Talk Recognition was launched at a function at Parliament House on May 12.

The pack is aligned with the national theme “Let’s Talk Recognition” for Reconciliation over the next three years (2011 – 2013). The pack explores clashes of cultures, the formation of citizenship systems and the unique, important place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as traditional custodians of the land and water, have in Australia.

Awareness, information, respect and empathy are all required for true recognition. These characteristics are embodied within the symbolism of words such as the Apology but also require further action.

The booklet is packed with suggestions for primary and middle school classroom learning activities, discussion topics, a glossary of terms, website links and other resources covering: • Reconciliation • Active Citizenship • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Governance and Citizenship • Human Rights • Colonisation • Federation • 1967 Referendum • Significant events since 2000 Arriving soon in all South Australian schools, the information included in this year’s Education Pack provides teachers with a fantastic resource to inform and plan classroom teaching on Aboriginal n and Torres Strait Islander issues.

Vice-President Anne Crawford, Organiser Howard Spreadbury and Industrial Officer Liz Roberts met with Minister Jay Weatherill on June 7 to discuss the Federal Government’s implementation of the National Quality Framework and its implications for members.

A number of questions pertaining to key elements of the National Standards as raised over time by members were put to the Minister. AEU officers were impressed by his genuine willingness to listen to concerns and to respond to most with positive signs that the State Government is already taking many issues into account, specifically in terms of funding and support for preschool staff.

One of the key concerns of members is that centres are to be rated against seven key areas with an overall rating to be displayed in the centre and on the My Child website. There are five levels that can be assigned to each of these areas and it is proposed that the overall rating will default to the lowest level of the seven areas. The Minister shares our concerns about this system and believes that the matter is being addressed at the federal level to ensure that all seven ratings will be made public.

With regard to the proposed fee structure associated with the national standards, the State Government and DECS is exploring means of absorbing costs so that there is no impost on individual employees or centre budgets.

DECS has also applied for federal funding to support the requirement for Early Childhood Workers and School Services Officers to be undertaking the minimum Certificate 3 level qualification by 2014.

In relation to training and development associated with the implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework, we are assured that DECS has now provided sessions to staff in all regions across the State. Members are not required to undertake additional training provided by other providers at cost.

Regarding the Universal Access to 15 hours of preschool education requirement of a 4 year teacher qualification, the AEU is assured that DECS is confident that teachers with a qualification of less than 4 years will be deemed to comply with the requirement as a result of negotiation at the federal level. At the forthcoming meeting of the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA) to be held on August 11, a proposal that includes recognition of experience will be discussed.

In concluding, the Minister said the State Government is budgeting in order for South Australian centres to meet the National Standards and that there is to be a major review of the National Quality Framework in 2014, thereby providing opportunities to address any issues which emerge through the early implementation period. n

Calling all ex-scholars, teachers, community members and any interested parties!

Stirling North Primary School’s 30th birthday celebrations!

The school will be open from: 11.00am

Saturday 20th August

- 2.00pm

All are welcome to browse through the school. Food & refreshments available.

A dinner will follow the open day at

the Stirling North Progress Hall from 6:00pm.

For bookings and further information contact the school on:

% (08) 8643 6020

15

School cleaners

DECS squeezes the lemon too hard on cleaning contracts Members continue to raise concerns about changes to school cleaning contracts says AEU Industrial Officer Dan Farmer

T

o avoid paying penalty rates under the Modern Award, DECS is requiring cleaning in schools to be undertaken between the hours of 6.30am and 6.00pm. If cleaners’ minimum hours of engagement rules are to be met this means that cleaning needs to occur during school hours. This has created a number of practical problems and in many instances led to serious occupational health and safety concerns.

Here are some issues that have been observed at various schools: • Cleaners cleaning tables around children while they learn • Cleaning products left unattended outside junior primary areas where younger siblings are playing • Vacuum cords providing tripping hazards • Vacuum noise drowning out teacher instruction • High traffic areas being mopped shortly before dismissal time, creating a slipping hazard • Boys toilets being cleaned while children are using them.

Schools are also reporting disputes with DECS over the area to be cleaned and the frequency of cleaning. For example, verandahs may no longer be cleaned, bins may not be emptied depending on location, and high use classrooms not cleaned each day.

Teachers and SSOs are being required to undertake cleaning.

16

“We now have to be super vigilant about safety issues such as wet floors and cords across hallways.”

Principal Anne Lamont Stradbroke Junior PS

Periodical cleaning has been reduced.

This means that in some schools desks and walls are cleaned only once per year. If we are to create positive working environments for our children then we need to ensure that classrooms are hygenic and well maintained.

 ACTION 1. School sub-branches should meet and determine that members not undertake cleaning tasks as they are not part of their job description.

Teachers and SSOs who are required to undertake cleaning tasks at school should lodge a workload grievance with the school PAC and send a copy to the AEU. The AEU Information Unit can provide advice to members as to how to lodge such a grievance.

2. AEU sub-branches should support OHS&W Representatives in undertaking a risk assessment focussing on the hazards and health implications of reduced cleaning services.

The time pressures placed on cleaning staff have also led to a reduction in the quality of the cleaning service. Cleaners are reporting that the work pressures mean they often cannot complete the cleaning task within the time allocated. The level of work required often means that cleaners are physically exhausted at the end of a shift. One cleaner at an inner suburban school spoke to the AEU Journal about the lack of safety and efficiency: “I’m constantly having to stop to warn the kids to be careful when I’m vacuuming or mopping and I’m really worried that eventually there will be an accident. It would be much better if we 3. Where risks to OHSW are identified on site, the AEU will support schools in putting in place administrative controls that will prevent cleaning starting while classes are being undertaken.

4. In situations where it is deemed unsafe to have cleaning undertaken while staff and students are on site, the AEU will support calls for DECS to pay the additional labour costs incurred.

5. Where DECS determines that it will not pay such costs, and requires parents and schools to pay for these additional cleaning costs, the AEU will join community run local campaigns to reverse this decision. n

Vice Pr esident’s Report

TRT shortages must be sorted out, fast AEU Vice President David Smith addresses an old problem that needs a new solution.

were cleaning when the kids weren’t here; it would be done quicker and the kids would be safe,” said the cleaner.

Leaders and teachers are also concerned. Stradbroke Junior Primary School Principal Anne Lamont says there are a number of issues that need addressing.

“Firstly, it’s not an efficient way for cleaners to work. They have to go back and forth from one building to another and one classroom to another to avoid the students. Secondly, we now have to be super vigilant about safety issues such as wet floors and cords across hallways. It’s a lot more difficult to manage the movement of students across the school because those risks are present,” she said.

Stradbroke Schools teacher Jenny Gilmore says having the cleaners at the site during instruction time has created disruptions.

“It’s not their fault, they don’t mean to be noisy but it’s the reality. Attention can often be taken away from the teacher by vacuum cleaner noise and the like.

In the last two weeks I’ve noticed vacuum cleaner cords across stairways and kids walking over them. On one occasion the cleaner took the cord out when she realised but this is a serious safety hazard.”n

Schools and pre-schools are having increasing problems getting sufficient TRTs. In a nutshell, there are two shortages – people and money.

The AEU has been grappling with this matter for years, yet the problems are still with us. In Term 3 last year our Country Conditions Committee conducted a survey of country schools and pre-schools to find out the extent of the problem. We had over a hundred responses, thirty of them from preschools. While the survey showed certain differences between schools, it revealed shortages of TRTs as a far-reaching problem. On multiple occasions during that term, many schools could not find TRTs. What happened on those days, by the way? How did the schools manage? Of course, other teachers took the relief lessons or classes were split to accommodate the absences. Many teachers therefore found themselves over-loaded and over-worked. In last year’s Arbitration the Industrial Relations Commission found that teachers and leaders have ‘excessive and unsustainable’ workloads. A lack of TRTS and the consequent requirement to take excessive relief lessons provided evidence for that finding.

But it’s not only last year’s problem.

Consider these disturbing figures from the Lower South East. In 2009: from August to December there were 181 days when schools applied for TRTs but could not get anyone.

In 2010: 206 days. In 2011 from the start of the year until May 24th: 108 days. It’s an acute problem, and not restricted to that part of the State, nor only to schools.

For preschools it is the luck of the draw whether you have relief teachers with early childhood expertise to replace trained staff. For example, Whyalla has six kindergartens. When all the Directors are required at leaders’ days, there are only two early childhood relief teachers to replace six Directors.

During Arbitration, the AEU presented unchallenged evidence to the IRC which showed the following: On average, teachers in Whyalla and Port Augusta performed

an extra 1000 minutes per year of internal relief teaching. Together that saved a total of over 1150 TRT days in a year at a total saving to DECS of over $400,000.

That really is stretching the good will.

Unfortunately, the AEU’s submission for teacher overtime rates was not accepted.

The IRC has, from the start of 2011, defined the minimum number of minutes per week teachers have as Non Instruction Time, along with the maximum face-toface teaching time. Under the current Award what happens if schools can’t locate sufficient TRTs? The answer is clear: If schools, and ultimately DECS, are expecting teachers to take relief lessons in excess of the maximum face-to-face teaching time, they are in breach of the Award. That is a serious matter.

That’s the issue in its simple form, but there are greater complexities. Some teachers have agreed to ‘average’ their NIT. That means they have less NIT per week but will be able to claim it back in some way later in the term or year. If they all want it repaid at the same time for, let’s say, report writing, will there be sufficient TRTs available? Unlikely, but we can live in hope.

Many schools who honour that part of the Award to the letter are finding that they not only need more relief teachers, but the new Student Centred Funding Model does not always provide the money to employ them. Furthermore, TRT supplementation, once pretty freely available to schools who ran out of their TRT budget, was drastically reduced in the ‘slash and burn’ 2010 State Budget.

To be fair, DECS officials have, within their political and financial constraints, made some moves to tackle the TRT problems. But it’s not working, and the situation is going to worsen. In the country, especially, there just have to be better incentives and conditions to attract sufficient relief teachers. In addition, the funding model needs to guarantee that DECS meets the conditions laid down in the Award.

Provision of TRTs is a running educational, political and industrial sore of both our past and present. To avoid it leaching into the future, it has to be staunched – and very soon. n 17

Women’s Focus

Contact Tish on:

8: tchampion@aeusa.asn.au

7 AEU participants from left: SSOs Nora Thomas and Helen Whyte

Public or private: we all need a union

A

two-week joint union program for women, the Anna Stewart Memorial Project (ASMP) has been running for 26 years. It brings working women from all unions together to share skills, experiences and knowledge, access training and develop networks.

This year’s ASMP consisted of a diverse group of women, including women with English as a second language and women from both the private and public sectors.

There were nurses, police officers, factory workers, private education employees and correctional services officers. There was also a young woman from East Timor who was here to gather further knowledge and skills to open up a working women’s centre back home.

During the program we spent four days at the Australian Services Union, where we participated in union training and shared our own workplace experiences and stories. We were surprised to hear how different the stories from working women in the private sector were to those women working in the public sector. We found it hard to believe that some of the issues raised by these women actually occur in the workplace in the 21st Century.

The training component of the ASMP was informative and included opportunities to work in small groups where everyone was encouraged to have input. There were guest speakers, including past ASMP participants. These women gave us an insight into how they have made changes they never thought they could achieve prior to taking part in the ASMP. As part of the program we also had the chance to spend time in our own union.

This allowed us to attended meetings and official functions with AEU officers, including several Reconciliation Week activities.

We were privileged and grateful to be able to attend some meetings between DECS

18

officials and the AEU. We were always made to feel trusted and welcome.

Our time spent at the AEU gave us a better appreciation of the long hours our officers work, with no task ever too hard.

Our final day of the project was spent at Parliament House with all other participants. We were taken on a guided tour and attended a lunch hosted by Frances Bedford MP. As the first School Services Officers to participate in the ASMP we strongly encourage others to apply for future programs. The experience has been invaluable and life changing.

Anna Stewart was an inspiring woman.

She fought hard for the rights of working women and was undoubtedly ahead of her time. The message that came across quite strongly throughout the program was that to be successful in helping others we need to first take care of ourselves. n Written by AEU members Nora Thomas, Instrumental Music Service and Helen Whyte, Long Street Primary School.

Support the campaign for Equal Pay

R

allies were held all over Australia on June 8, the National Day of Action for Equal Pay. I was fortunate enough to attend this years’ rally in Melbourne (pictured below right).

The Victorians really know how to make some noise. It was an extremely powerful display of strength and solidarity. I have

had a few people ask me what the equal pay dispute is all about and what it has to do with the AEU? Good questions that got me thinking.

After a long legal battle involving almost 100 witnesses, Fair Work Australia (FWA) found that social and community service workers are not receiving equal pay and that a significant cause of the pay gap is gender. Workers in the female dominated sector look after the homeless, the disabled, refugees, domestic violence victims, children at risk, the elderly and other vulnerable people in our society.

Having conceded that community sector workers are underpaid and essentially undervalued, FWA has delayed declaring wage increases until it has heard further evidence from all parties. With all interested parties finally recognising the value of the work done by those working in social and community services, the skill and professional judgement of almost 200,000 workers will hopefully now be acknowledged and remunerated fairly.

Community and social service workers are calling on all political parties and employers to properly value their work and close the 17% wage gap between men and women once and for all. The previous ACTU President Sharan Burrow once said, “The pay gap is still so big that on average Australian women have to work 63 days more a year just to earn the same income. Over a lifetime, women end up earning on average about $1 million less than men.” Sharan could almost have been describing the situation for many DECS employees. Almost 75% of DECS employees are women, with many filling lower paid positions such as SSOs and ECWs. Hundreds attended the rally in Adelaide and heard Treasurer Jack Snelling (below) 5 address Equal Pay and the State Budget.

AEU Forums Equal pay for women should be an important issue for all Australians. Who has not benefited directly or indirectly from the amazing dedication of workers in the community sector? This is difficult and demanding work, but because historically it has been viewed as “women’s work”, salaries have remained relatively low.

Gender-based pay disparity is no doubt one of the biggest issues faced by workers around the globe and one that affects all Australians in some way, shape or form. Should we be interested in the outcome of this case and show our support to those who provide crucial community services? Absolutely! They do extremely valuable work that makes a difference to our communities on a daily basis. If we believe in equality we need to support this fight. n Tish Champion AEU Women’s Officer

*Did you know?

Permanent DECS employees who are currently on leave from the Department but have 12 months continuous service prior to taking leave now remain eligible for paid maternity or adoption leave. These employees no longer need to return to work for at least 12 months to be eligible.

Unfortunately this change only became effective for children born or adopted from the beginning of 2010 and only for permanent employees.

Any permanent teacher who had or adopted a child in 2010 while on leave from the Department may have been eligible for paid maternity/adoption leave and should therefore contact n DECS Human Resources.

&: 8226 1000

International

Meet the Principals

1 From left: David Crouch, Renmark HS; Kristen Masters, Kapunda HS; Kylie Eggers, Swan Reach AS; Carol Van Der Wijngaart, Adelaide West Special Education Centre; Mike Williss, AEU Research Officer and Sandy Richardson, Roma Mitchell SC.

AEU Organiser Daniel Pereira reports on the recent Meet the Principals forums

AEU

student members who are graduating in 2011 turned up in force to our recent Meet the Principals forums held at the AEU. These evenings have been conducted over the past few years and are deliberately designed to be as enjoyable as possible and operate using the “speed dating” model. We bring in six principals on each of the two evenings and the new graduates move from table to table discussing a range of relevant issues with the focus on obtaining tips and advice on how best to place themselves in the job hunting process.

The two forums this year were a great success with plenty of passionate and lively discussion on public education matters. The forums covered the full range of year levels from junior primary through to secondary. Our student members heard about each leader’s experience of and views on the local selection process, their background, their school and other recollections.

After these brief introductions the graduate members spent around fifteen minutes with each principal, providing them a range of valuable insights and experiences.

The graduates were able to ask about job opportunities, what to expect at schools across the state and where vacancies may arise. The feedback from graduates was overwhelmingly positive and many commented that it was inval-

uable to access so much knowledge and expertise from those ‘in the know’.

One member emailed, “I just want to say thank you for the Meet the Principals Forum I attended last night. I found it very valuable as I am writing my resume and profile statements this week. I feel I gained lots of important hints and tips to make it better. I have been telling students from the uni who didn’t attend and they are kicking themselves. Thanks again for a beneficial night!”

I would like to thank all the leaders who gave of their time so generously, a number travelling long distances from sites in the country.

We are planning again to hold two forums in June next year. So, if you are a graduate thinking you might want to attend, get in touch with me and most importantly, join the AEU! Finally, good luck to our graduate members in obtaining your first teaching position. It’s encouraging to see that such optimistic and enthusiastic members are the bright future of our n public education system.

Daniel Pereira AEU Organiser If you are a school leader who would like to support our next generation of educators by participating in a forum, send me an email:

8: dpereira@aeusa.asn.au We’d love to have you involved.

19

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The truth about the Australian Curriculum Considerations for preparing for implementation

2011

Friday 22 July

9:15am – 3:00pm

Australian Education Union | SA Branch

To register or for further info go to: www.aeusa.asn.au or contact Lynn Hall on: lhall@aeusa.asn.au

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AEU 2011 Training and Development Program

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2011 Union Member Development Program 20, 21 and 22 July

Conflict Resolution Through Mediation

9.15am – 4.00pm

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by Professor Dale Bagshaw and practising mediators, covering the theory and practice of mediation.

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Tues 30 & Wed 31 Aug

Campaigning Skills for Delegates

ing Centre runs this course to provide union representatives and activists with the skills, knowledge and confidence to campaign effectively in their workplaces and industries.

Who can attend: AEU members keen to be directly involved in AEU campaigns.

Fri 18 November

Tailem Bend Primary School is celebrating 100 years!

1911 – 2011

9:15-15:30

Centenary Celebrations will be held on:

Potential Delegates Course

1-day course introducing members to AEU decision making processes.

Who can attend: AEU members.

Friday 28 October & Saturday 29 October

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Visit our website:

www.tailembdps.sa.edu.au

: www.aeusa.asn.au 8 > events & courses

for updates and for past student and staff profiles.

To register your interest or for any queries, email to:

info@tailembdps.sa.edu.au

Curriculum Organiser Online PD Dates and Times 2011 Online Webinar (online training) Monday July 4

7.00pm – 8.00pm

COO as a PDP Tool Friday 12 August

2.00pm - 5.00pm

An Introduction Wednesday 20 July Monday 10 October Monday 19 December

9:30am–12:30pm 9:30am–12:30pm 9:30am–12:30pm

Creating units of work using the Australian Curriculum Friday 18 November Monday 19 December

4:00pm–5:30pm 1:30pm–4:30pm

: www.aeusa.asn.au 8 > events & courses

Programming and Planning Wednesday 20 July Monday 10 October

Merit Selection | Term 3 Information Sessions

Merit Selection | Term 2 Information Sessions

Full Day Training

9.30am - 12.30pm

AEU, Parkside

Information and Update Sessions (for members who have previously attended Full PAC Training)

1.00pm - 3.00pm

AEU, Parkside

4.00pm - 5.30pm 4.00pm - 5.30pm

AEU, Parkside AEU, Parkside

9.30am - 4.00pm

AEU, Parkside

Full Day Training Mon 18 July

Sat. August 13, Sat. November 19

Fri. August 5, Fri. November 11

Wed 3 Aug Wed 10 Aug Tues 16 Aug Wed 17 Aug Thurs 25 Aug Wed 31 Aug Thurs 6 Oct Fri 7 Oct

Fri 15 July Mon 18 July

Upcoming dates for 2011 are:

Upcoming dates for 2011 are:

Full PAC Training

Tues 19 July

New Branch Council Meetings

TAFE Divisional Council Meetings

1:30pm–4:30pm 1:30pm–4:30pm

PAC Training | Term 2 Tues 19 July

Council Dates for 2011

Registrations for Merit Selection Information Sessions go to:

Wed 3 Aug Thurs 11 Aug Tues 16 Aug Thurs 6 Oct

4.00pm - 5.00pm 4.30pm - 6.00pm 4.00pm - 5.30pm 4.00pm - 5.30pm 4.00pm - 5.30pm 4.00pm - 5.30pm 4.00pm - 5.30pm 10.00am - 11.30am 9.00am - 3.30pm 9.30am - 4.00pm 9.00am - 3.30pm 9.00am - 3.30pm

AEU, Parkside Port Pirie, TAFE AEU, Parkside Underdale HS Urrbrae Ag HS Nth Adel - Eliz Hse AEU, Parkside AEU, Parkside AEU, Parkside Port Pirie, TAFE AEU, Parkside AEU, Parkside

8: decsesmpu@sa.gov.au

Registrations for Merit Selection Training Sessions via the DECS website only.

21

NOTICE BOARD

Member’s Market VICTOR HARBOR Holiday House & Studio Apartments:

(near Edithburgh). Spa, plasma TV, DVD, stereo, dish-washer.

Southern Escape 3BR fully s/cont. Tastefully ff, 3BR, sleeps 7. family friendly hse. Walk to beach, Panoramic views, walks, fishing. parks, shops, restaurants and T: (08) 8832 2623 town centre. Lge enclosed yard, www.countrygetaways.info BBQ. Rates from $150/n.

Victor Harbor: Studio Apts: s/cont, open plan All Seasons Lakefront Getaway: w. kitchenette, bath, living area.

Stunning s/cont. lux. colonial hme.

Sleep 2 upstairs with sea views Priv. secl. beach & lake! 4BRs, 2 OR sleeps 3 ground level. Rates living areas, 2nd bath, 3 toilets $135/night. T: 0413 920 554 E: crupi@chariot.net.au & laundry, lge backyd. Sleeps 8.

Holiday House, ‘North Bay’, Lakeside Getaway: Encounter Carrickalinga: Arch. designed Lakes Villa, 100m to beach & renew 2 storey beach hse. 4BR, 3 serve. 5-min. to Esplanade, walk/ bath, 2 living areas, European bike trail, cafes, restaurants, kitchen, decking & views. Suits store. 3BRs. Sleeps 6. Spacious 2 families. Sleeps 10. Play equip. living/fam/dine, 2-way bath, sep. for kids. T: 0403 015 964 toilet, laundry. M: 0419 868 143 www.stayz.com.au>North Bay, E: foumakis@hotmail.com Carrickalinga http:/victorharborholidayhomes.

Absolute Seafront House spaces.live.com Kingston: Stunning beach, winedolphins - seafood. Heated balcony Kangaroo Island Getaway suites frm $70. Whole house (off- KI RURAL RETREAT: Attractive s/cont. lge country hme, gdn, peak) $190 (half price in winter). sms or T: 0402 922 445 a/h or native bush, 260 acres. 2 bath, 2 T: (08) 8338 2316 a/h qn beds, 2 living areas, laundry, Holiday Rental: Yorke Penin- patio. Sleeps 12. Frm $120/night. sula: New up-market esplanade T: 0407 790754 a/h beach hse ‘Manyana’ at Wool Bay E: kiruralretreat@bigpond.com.au

KI Holiday Cottage: Vivonne Bay, close to beach & Harriet River, wildlife, exc. location for KI attractions. 2BR. s/cont, air, BBQ. Sleep 4, $95. T: (08) 8341 9185 E: enquiries@ravencottage.com.au www.ravencottage.com.au KI holiday hse, Kangastay Harriet River, Vivonne Bay, 3BR fully equipped. Close to Seal Bay, Remarkables, Admiral Arch and more) relax, swim, fish. Linen prov. winter discounts, sleeps 6.

Frm $100/night. T: 0407 215 345 kangastay@gmail.com

KI Queenscliffe Cottage Kingscote, recently restored 2BR, period decor, gdn. Walk to beach, cafes, jetty, pubs. Sleeps 6. Exc. location to explore island.

T: 08 8553 9007 www.kangarooislandholiday accomodation.com.au/property. php?p_id=232

‘WINDSWEPT COTTAGE’ Overnight & short-stay accom. in Adel. Hills (Stirling). Suit couples (no children due to steep stairs to mezz. BR). Quiet, botanic setting, own carport & entrance w. galley kitchen, TV, DVD etc. 5 min walk to Stirling restaurants, cafes. 15 min drive to wineries, Hahndorf

and Hills towns. From $90-$120/ night. T: 0431991431 E: windswept@pacific.net.au www.windsweptcottage.webs.com

HOLIDAY RENTAL WALLAROO: Arch. designed new 2-storey beach hse, bay views. 3BR, 3 bath, open plan living, modern kitchen, sleeps 7. DVD, CD, dishw. Safe beach for kids, great walks, fishing. www.stayz.com.au>Bayview, North Beach

HOL. RENTAL NORMANVILLE: South Shores Holiday Villa #25.

3BR (sleeps 8). Secure behind dunes at Normanville. Golf, horse riding, pools, beach, lawns, cafes.

T: 0413 155 460 www.stayz.com.au/23983

PORT ELLIOT HOLIDAY ESCAPE Stunning new, a/c, 4BR, s/cont.

Close to Main St. cafes, shops, restaurants, galleries. Horseshoe Bay, swim, surf and fish. Walk/ bike trails, markets, wineries, Steam Ranger Cockle train. Special rates. E: jack.k@live.com.au www.allseasonsescape.spaces. live.com

SEAFRONT HOLIDAY HOUSE: Yorke Peninsula “Oceanfront Escape” 2-storey hse w. pergola to beach & farmland views, secl, 4 BRMs, full kitchen, BBQ, DVD/

AN INVITATION TO RETIRED OR RETIRING TEACHERS & SSOs Have you retired or are about to retire? Are you seeking opportunities to maintain or increase your level of fitness and want to learn more about your city and surrounding hills and bushland? Are you seeking companionship with other retired teachers and their partners as well as other walkers from a range of backgrounds (not just teaching!)?

The R.T.A.Walking Group is a sub-group of the Retired Teachers’ Association and is affiliated with Walking SA. Walks are organised at several levels. Rovers walk from 14–18 kms, Walkers – up to 10kms, and the Strollers and Amblers – up to 5 kms. We walk in conservation and national parks within the Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula, suburban beaches, and along the six creeks of the Adelaide Plains, the River Torrens Linear Park and other suburban trails. It’s a great way to get to know your city and surroundings! A camp is also organised each year in country areas within South Australia or Victoria.

If you are interested in finding out more about our walking group, you are invited to contact: our Secretary, David Tassell | T: 8293 4320 email: dtassell@internode.on.net or our Convener: Tony Nichol | T: 8396 1682

22

NOTICE BOARD VCR/TV, billiards, fishing. Peaceful & relaxing, great for kids.

Contact Brenton: T: 0409 864 682 E: bjejstevens@bigpond.com

a while?! Get $50 off a PADI TuneUp program to refresh your skills.

T: (Steve) 0413 134 827 E: info@elitediveacademy.com.au CEDUNA BEACH HOUSE: S/cont, www.elitediveacademy.com.au House Sitting: Mature couple, beachfront, BBQ/DVD/ LCD/ TV, teachers, non-smokers, exp. pet r/c air. Sleeps 6. Corp. rates AEU members. Main st and jetty 5 min owners, gardeners seek hse sit while new home is built. Adelaide walk. T: (08) 86253343 Nth pref. Available for the entire Houseboat: (near Mannum) Term 2 – 2011. Referees avail.

AEU members are offered a 10% E: edgell.zajac@sehs.sa.edu.au disc. during shoulder/off pk.

E: Pam.Zajac@tafesa.edu.au Sleeps 10. T: (08) 8277 8751 T: 0409 608 518 or 0409 280 019 E: tandu.prucha@bigpond.com

For Rent: ff private apartment in Glenelg for hols or wkds. Spa, heated pool, steam-rm, sauna, gym etc. Plasma TV, 100m to beach.

T: 0403 606 052

www.bundara2.net/

GLENELG NTH/TOWNHOUSE RETREAT: Rent for short/long/ hols. Good, quiet, peaceful location, mins frm Jetty Rd, close to tram/bus stops. Secl. T-Hse feat.

3 BRM, new kitchen, 2 toilets, ldry, bath, sep. dining, lounge, a/c, gas heating, patio area, carport, garden. T: 0437 847 034 E: wendyvoight@bigpond.com

ROOM FOR RENT: Female to share 3BR house with 2 others in West Croydon. $150/wk includes phone, internet, electricity and water. T: 0431 518 683 E: medwards33@optusnet.com.au

WORKSHOP: Stress manage-

France – South:

ment, personal dev. and learning difficulties: Brain Gym – an intro wkshop. Movements to ‘switch on’ the brain. T/F: (08) 8768 2537 E: gibbons@seol.net.au

Lovely Village House. Languedoc region. T: 0403 314 928 (Julie) www.myfrenchhome.com.au

Go SCUBA Diving with Elite Dive Academy: Are you a diver, but haven’t been in the water for

CIVIL CELEBRANT: Dr Tom Haig: weddings, renewal of vows, commitment ceremonies, funerals and baby namings. First class personalised services with AEU

Cape Tribulation Far North Queensland

members receiving a 10% discount on services upon request.

T: 85311726 or 0439 687 529 E: tomhaig@internode.on.net www.tomhaig.com.au

HOLIDAY HOUSE, WALLAROO:

New house with 4 BRMs, just a five minute walk to the beach.

Sleeps 8. Self contained. Peaceful and very relaxing. From $700/wk.

T: 0410 054 059 E: khatchley82@bigpond.com Moonta bay holiday rental: 3BR, sleeps 8, 350m to beach, CD/DVD, PayTV, games for kids, modern kitchen.

T: 0404 717 720 or 0406 429 040 E: prislodge@yahoo.com.au

Aldinga Beach House From: $680 Week

5 minute walk from beach, opp.

National Park, sleeps 8, ff, TV, DVD, Microwave, Air Con. T: 0418 843 711 E: acaciahouse@optusnet.com.au

Book Offer: “WHEN GRANDPA SANG”

by Margaret Just. A wonderfully

NEW and ENGAGING children’s picture book with BONUS activity sheets. to read the story, order a book, download activity sheets or organise author visit go to: www.whengrandpasang.com or E: whengrandpasang@gmail.com

Gorgeous hilltop B&B surr. by rainforest, 5mins to beach. Ensuite double & fam rms from $80/dble (with AEU member discount).

T: (07) 4098 9039 E: www.rainforestbb.com

Australian certified organic products: for personal use & gifts www.bodytune. mionegroup.com

BEACH HouSE SWAP for ‘IT’ Tuition: sms or T: 0402 922 445 a/h or T: (08) 8338 2316 a/h

For sale: 1999 kia mentor Sedan, good condition. $2000 o.n.o. Call Steve on: T: 0459 600 960

Advertise in Members’ Market for FREE! Rent, sell, buy or offer goods and services. Send ads to:

journal@aeusa.asn.au

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Eastern Adelaide, Adelaide Hills,and Yorke Peninsula

Donna Glass 8263 2422

Southern Adelaide, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Limestone Coast

Wayne Copley 8322 7837

Northern Adelaide, Riverland, Murray Bridge and Aboriginal Lands

Mike Day 8261 6676

Southern Adelaide and West Coast

Peter Dinan 8381 1739

Western Adelaide, Whyalla and Mid North

Northern Adelaide, Barossa Valley and Far North

at work and at home, call us to make a confidential appointment

Susan Walters 8340 1477

John Elvin 8255 3465

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or visit creditunionsa.com.au for the latest rates on offer Minimum investment $5,000 for 3 months. Various other terms are available on request. The interest rate is fixed for the selected term. The frequency of interest credited and the interest rate will depend on the amount, term and nature of the investment. You should obtain the terms and conditions from us and consider the information in them before deciding whether this product is suitable for you. Fees and charges may apply.

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