AEU Journal Vol. 40 No. 5 | August 2008 by Australian Education Union (SA Branch)

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Official publication of the Australian Education Union (SA Branch)

Vol 40 I No.5

August 2008

AEUJOURNAL SA

Growing the Union IN FOCUS

Rolling Stoppages N AEU Membership on the Rise N

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FPERAT E SUI D RE N ST’S VIEW

AEU JOURNAL

Australian Education Union | SA Branch Telephone: 8272 1399

Membership Soars page 6 Poor Government Offer inspires workers to join the union.

8373 1254

Email:

journal@aeusa.asn.au

Editor: Craig Greer Graphic Designer: Jo Frost AEU Journal is published seven times annually by the South Australian Branch of the Australian Education Union. AEU Journal 2008 Dates Deadline

Publication date

August 29

September 17

October 17

November 5

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

Growing the Union IN FOCUS N Rolling N

Facsimile:

Print Post approved PP 531629/0025 ISSN 1440-2971

Stoppages AEU Membership on the Rise

Printing: Finsbury Green Printing Cover: Jo Frost

Focus: Rolling Stoppages

Guam

Rally photos throughout!

page 20 – 21

Thousands of AEU members continue the pressure on the Rann Government .

Teachers’ union stands up for indigenous rights.

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

8272 1399 journal@aeusa.asn.au

L E T T E R S TO T H E E D I TO R

TOP LETTER

*Winner of TOP LETTER!

Dear Editor, I have had heard two Ministerial statements over the last few days which have both made my blood boil! The first was by Jane Lomax-Smith. She said that the new school funding model was needed to end union control of schools. Apart from the fact that this assertion is plainly untrue, it is also significant in another way. While there is an array of justifications that she could put to defend the Department’s new funding model, the one chosen by the Minister was a union bashing one. Given Labor’s original development from the union movement and given the huge amount of support given since, particularly in the last federal election, by unions in support of Labor governments the put down was disgraceful. The second of these statements came from new Industrial Relations Minister Paul Caica, who urged teachers to desist from strike action for the sake of their students. We know, on the contrary, that it is the Government’s neglect of class sizes and salaries that will affect the welfare of students not for a day but in the long term.

Furthermore, Paul Caica was the National and State Secretary of the United Firefighters union. He knows only too well from his experience that it is recalcitrant governments refusing to seriously negotiate who put union members in the position of taking strike action. He also knows that this is a painful dilemma for workers in the Public Service: teachers, nurses, police, ambulance drivers and firefighters! Paul must remember fire fighters closing down all services except emergency ones in an effort to demonstrate to Government and public alike the value of their service. And that is what we have been driven to do. So, I ask both Labor ministers to remember their roots and those of the party and come to the table with the courage to help and support those public services which sustain ordinary people and the unions which represent them. I Clare McCarty

Dear Editor, Thank you to the AEU for the ongoing support of Teacher Librarians in the current EB campaign. There is much uncertainty as to the detail in the proposed funding model as it relates to Teacher Librarians. An increased face to

face teaching load would have significant implications for the learning outcomes for students as well as huge workload implications for Teacher Librarians and is against current thinking in terms of the role of the teacher Librarian in support of student learning. Research studies continue to show that an active school library program run by a trained teacher librarian makes a significant difference to student learning outcomes. If there is any information etc. that we could provide to support the campaign, please contact The School Library Association of SA (SLASA). I Sue Johnston SLASA Secretary

The AEU Journal welcomes all letters. Top letter each issue WINS two bottles of wine.

journal@aeusa.asn.au 3

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I N D U ST R I A L AC T I O N CO N T I N U E S

Rolling Stoppages

PREMIER RANN’S OFFICE Salisbury – Monday 4 August

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R O L L I N G STO P PAG E S

Premier Rann: take action now for the future

Industrial action rolls on around the State

AEU President reports on the EB negotiations

On Monday 3 August, we began our rolling stoppage action in order to raise public awareness about Rann Government’s failure to deliver a good outcome for Public Education. A huge crowd of members, parents and students gathered to raise their voice in protest at an Offer that contains so little for so many education workers.

For Info and updates see our EB Blog:

As expected, Mike wasn’t in his office. However, our actions finally flushed him out of hiding and he gave comments the very next day about our dispute. So what wise words did our Premier utter? Sadly, he likened our dispute to “Buying a Mercedes or a Rolls Royce when the State can’t afford it” and that our claim was “Totally unaffordable – it is sort of Magic Pudding meets Wizard of Oz”. The Premier’s comments are designed to deflect attention from the real issue. Right around the nation, state governments have bought the Mercedes for their public education systems but Mike Rann seems happy to buy us the old bomb. The question that we need to be asking is why does Mike Rann think that Public Education in South Australia deserves anything less than the best?

www.2008eba.org

The week prior to our rallies, Paul Caica, our new Minister for Industrial Relations, asked me if we thought the community was supportive of our actions. Upon returning to my office after the rally at Premier Rann’s electoral office in Salisbury, I found on my desk a hand delivered letter, written in flowing cursive. It read: “Dear Correna, Congratulations on your union’s stand with the government. You are dealing with the biggest mob of drones this country has ever seen. I write to you as a retired pensioner who spent over 20 years in the industrial movement, an active member of the most volatile unions in Australia… and 14 years in the WIU of A (Miners Union). I was

a contract miner underground in Broken Hill and I was involved in more strikes than I can remember – we won every single one! The only way to beat this bunch of nitwits is to STRIKE. You deserve to win and you will. Don’t give an inch. The people are with you. This rotten so-called Labor government is persecuting the ones that they are supposed to support. Give ‘em heaps. Ben Chifley would turn over in his grave!! Good luck. You will win. Kind regards, Ray.”

As you look through this Journal you will see photos of AEU members standing united in action. We must continue to protest this Government’s blatant lack of respect for public education. This dispute may or may not be settled soon. Whatever happens, we must stand firmly together – we are fighting for our rights as workers and we’re fighting for the long term future of public education.

United we will win!

Reading this heartfelt letter was one of those moments that make you feel proud to be fighting for workers rights. It is but one of many messages of support that we have received from parents, trade unions and the community. And so, my answer to Minister Caica is: “Yes Paul, we have strong community support.” After all, our parents know that there is much more to this dispute than just salaries. We are also fighting to protect our schools from funding chaos and for the rights of all workers in preschools, schools and TAFE who have simply been overlooked by the Government. There is still much work to be done by all of us in making sure that the EB message spreads wide and far. Talk about the issues with your sites’ parents and Governing Council and with your family and friends. We have sent out an email to all AEU members with details on how to take action by calling radio talkback shows, writing letters to the Advertiser and local papers. It’s up to all of us to make sure that our EB message is heard. It may be a long, hard road ahead but with your support, the campaign will succeed. Keep up the fantastic work. I In solidarity, Correna Haythorpe AEU President

www.2008eba.org

“It’s up to all of us to make sure that our EB message is heard. It may be a long, hard road ahead but with your support, the campaign will succeed. Keep up the fantastic work.”

During Week 3, thousands of AEU members continued to put pressure on the Rann Government by closing their sites for half a day. Rallies were organised at the offices of MPs around the State in order to press upon them the need to settle this dispute immediately. And the message from all the rallies was clear: we won’t back down until the proposed funding model is removed and we receive an offer which recognises the high workloads experienced by education professionals in South Australia.

For Info and updates see our EB Blog:

AEU PRESIDENT’S VIEW

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MEMBERSHIP: GROWING THE UNION

M I N I ST R Y R E S H U F F L E

The AEU meets New IR Minister Each week, AEU President, Correna Haythorpe, will post her thoughts and experiences around the EB to our blog. Her first post (reproduced below) came directly after a meeting with new IR Minister Paul Caica.

• The lack of relevant schooling experience on the DECS negotiating team (get someone with some experience on the team!) • The tardiness in providing the AEU with detailed information when requested • The impact of the proposed Student Centred Resource Funding Model (SCRFM) and what this will mean for our schools • The importance of maintaining the industrial protections enshrined in our agreement

For Info and updates see our EB Blog:

• National salary movements and where our members expect to be positioned on the salary scale (certainly not on or near the bottom!) • Our willingness to shift in discussions on matters such as paid maternity leave • The absolute necessity that the government bring the EB debate back to our pay and conditions and not use our EB to defund our schools The discussion was constructive, however, Minister Caica did not give any commitment to provide us with a new offer in the near future. The State Government has a very small window of opportunity if they wish to avert next week’s rolling stoppages.

www.2008eba.org

The AEU needs to see a commitment from Minister Caica to: • bargain in good faith • remove the Student Centred Resource Funding Model from their offer • to start talking to us about salaries in the range of $75,000 for Step 8 (the new national benchmark). These things need to be addressed before any consideration can be given to calling off the stoppages. Anything less is just insulting to the education workforce in SA. We made this very clear to Minister Caica and now the ball is in his Government’s court. So, now we will wait and see what the next few days bring to the EB debate. I

Photo: Philip Griffin

On 28 July, Marcus, Anne, Jack and I met with the new Industrial Relations Minister Paul Caica, to brief him on EB progress or lack thereof. We took the opportunity to raise our concerns about outstanding matters including:

1 Centre front: Sub-branch secretary Stephen Andrews with AEU members from Craigmore High

AEU membership on the rise across the State Major redevelopment work is underway at Craigmore High as part of the Government’s Education Works program – a welcome initiative that the AEU hopes extends to every school in need of new infrastructure. Provided timelines are met, Craigmore High School will sport a new performing arts centre, a refurbished library and an upgraded administration block by the beginning of the 2009 school year. However, it’s not only facilities that are being built at the northern suburbs school. The AEU sub-branch at Craigmore is steadily growing and has seen an influx of vibrant young teachers over the past couple of years. Along with these new educators, there is a core group of experienced union members who are patiently rebuilding the branch after what has been a difficult period for unions across the nation. Prior to Howard’s WorkChoices legislation, trade union membership was on the decline in every State. The reasons for this are varied, but the Liberal Party’s constant ideological attacks against unions, combined with the divide and rule of individual contracts, saw to it that the movement would need to respond with a mega-campaign in order to attract workers back to unionism. Ironically, it was the Howard Government’s own repressive IR laws that triggered the hugely successful ‘Your Rights at Work’ campaign and since then the ball has been firmly back in our court. Union membership increased significantly

“There is no doubt that the poor Government Offer is motivating education workers to join the union and to take action.” over the nearly two-year long ACTU campaign, but there is still a lot of damage to repair. Many unions are still battling to maintain existing membership levels, let alone recruit new members to their ranks. Much like the WorkChoices legislation, the State Government’s dismal Enterprise Offers have angered the State’s education staff and many people are recognising that collective action through the union is vital. Just shy of 800 new members have joined the AEU since the 24 hour stop-work of June 17. Stephen Andrews is the sub-branch secretary at Craigmore high and he says that members are outraged at the Government’s inability to provide a decent Offer. “The members here are extremely disappointed in the State Government and their lack of willingness to properly negotiate with AEU officers. There is no doubt that the poor Government Offer is motivating education workers to join the union and to take action.” I

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F U T U R E SACE

R O L L I N G STO P PAG E S

SACE Board disappointing for public education 21st Century women educators continue to be devalued and overlooked in appointments to positions of influence by Governments of all persuasions, despite their outstanding contribution to the well-being and intellectual development of children and students.

Minister Jane LomaxSmith recently announced the establishment of a new SACE Board to replace the SSABSA Board, which has been disbanded as a result of SACE legislative requirements. The composition of the new Board reflects a total disregard for public education classroom teachers. The membership of the new SACE Board is heavily weighted in favour of non-government schools, and furthermore, those that cater for a relatively affluent clientele. Of the five Principals who have been appointed as either full or deputy members, only one is from a Government school, and she is a deputy member who will only participate in the case of an absence or temporary vacancy. Despite the fact that 70 percent of students attend Government schools, the representation of Principals from this sector is less than 20 percent, given a deputy member’s limited capacity to contribute. Of equal concern is the absence of a single member who is currently engaged in teaching senior secondary students. The participation of at least one practising teacher would have added invaluable expertise and practical wisdom to a Board consisting largely of tertiary educators and senior bureaucrats. The AEU nominated two teachers with a wealth of experience but neither of them were selected, hence, there is no AEU representative on the board. The Board is predominantly Anglo-Celtic in orientation and totally lacking in any representation of Aboriginal educators or community leaders. Its composition is seriously flawed in this respect, given that retention and attainment rates are much lower for Aboriginal students than those for their nonAboriginal peer group. There are many distinguished Aboriginal educators who are well placed to make a significant improvement to the Board, both in terms of cultural diversity and social inclusion, a policy that the Government has widely publicised, but seems to have disregarded in this instance. The Board’s Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member are both men. Furthermore, women are under-represented in the full and deputy membership, especially when one considers that the vast majority of teachers in both Government and non-Government schools are women. It is lamentable that in the

Unfortunately, the composition of the new SACE Board fails the test on every audit of expertise, social inclusion, equal opportunity and diversity. It reflects a sad discrepancy between official rhetoric and actual practice, as well as a missed opportunity to demonstrate to the community that the Government is seriously dedicated to reforming and renewing senior secondary education. In the near future, each sub-branch with a secondary enrolment will receive information about a survey that we would like every secondary teacher to complete to give us a comprehensive picture about what is happening in schools with respect to the Future SACE. We look forward to the opportunity it offers to create a curriculum framework that caters for a wider range of pathways and increased possibilities of success for the full range of students in our schools. At the same time we must not forget the responsibilities we have to our secondary students who are in the process of completing their SACE using the current arrangements. Adequate resourcing and appropriate timelines are crucial for the Future SACE so that current year 10 – 12 students get our full support. We would urge all secondary members to respond to the survey to assist us in monitoring workload and resource issues. I

Jackie Bone-George (top left) & Anne Crawford, AEU Vice President

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A E U I N F O R M AT I O N U N I T

Q & A from the Workplace 7 AEU Legal and Information Officer Anne Walker answers your questions.

W O R KCOV E R

WorkCover compensation changes take effect From 1 July 2008, many of the Rann Labor Government’s changes to workers’ compensation legislation will take effect.

Questions from SSOs working with students with special needs and disabilities

Q A

Do I need training to administer Epi Pens and/or Asthma Puffers?

Ideally a student should carry their own Epi pen. However, the administering of an Epi pen or asthma puffer must be set out in a Care Plan (signed by a health professional) and subsequent Health Support plan negotiated and actioned at the DECS site. Anyone administering an Epi pen or asthma puffer must be trained in the use of both. [NB: Senior First Aid does not include training in the administering of an asthma puffer]

Q A

Can I administer medication without a medical authority?

Q A

What should the school do, if a child is sick and can’t be supervised in the first aid room?

NB: Any further clarification on the above issues can be referred to Heather Ashmeade, Project Officer, Interagency Health Care DECS. Members can also access information at:

www.chess.sa.edu.au For all your questions contact the

AEU Information Unit Monday to Friday 10:30am - 5pm

8272 1399 8

• Weekly payments reduced to 90% after 13 weeks and 80% after 26 weeks • Weekly payments stop during dispute • Position of WorkCover Ombudsman created

From 1 January 2009 the following changes apply:

The AEU continues to support the SA Unions campaign for a fair workers’ compensation system in South Australia. It is expected that this campaign will continue up to the 2010 State election.

WorkCover Ombudsman

• Return to Work Coordinators for all employers with over 30 employees

One of the changes to the legislation includes the creation of the position of WorkCover Ombudsman – an independent statutory officer. It is the Ombudsman’s job to:

• Changes to Legal Costs (will make access to legal representation more difficult)

• review the operation of the legislation and recommend improvements

• Introduction of ‘Provisional Liability’

From 1 April 2009 the following changes apply: • Weekly payments cease after 130 weeks (some exceptions apply) • Introduction of Medical Panels to decide “medical questions” when in dispute (worker has no right to representation or appeal) • Changes to compensation for permanent disability introduced including threshold of 5 percent “Whole Person Impairment” From 1 July 2009 (new claims) and 2010 (old claims), access to redemptions will be limited. Overall these changes will dramatically reduce entitlements for all injured workers, thereby allowing the WorkCover Corporation to reduce the WorkCover Levy paid by employers. WorkCover intends to start reducing the Levy from next year. The changes introduced by the Rann Labor Government are based upon similar provisions that Jeff Kennett introduced in Victoria when he was the Premier of that State. While South Australia’s new workers’ compensation laws are based upon the Victorian model there remains a major difference between the two states as workers in Victoria can sue an employer for common law damages if

• investigate complaints about administrative actions • investigate issues associated with the rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers • assist the WorkCover Corporation and employers with their complaints processes • review decisions to discontinue weekly payments and can suspend those decisions while the dispute is proceeding before the Tribunal I

Ed Grue AEU WorkCover Officer

Mr Wayne Lines (formerly of the Crown Solicitor’s Office) is the Acting WorkCover Ombudsman and his contact details are:

Level 6, Chesser House 91 – 97 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA 5000 T: (08) 8463 6593 F: (08) 8204 2169 E: owo@saugov.sa.gov.au W: www.wcombudsmansa.com.au

www.workcover.com

Most DECS sites have first aid rooms – not sick rooms. If a student is not well enough to return to class, a parent or carer should be contacted to collect the student. I

From 1 July 2008 the following changes apply:

For more info go to:

There is great concern over the mis-use of paracetamol. It can often hide or disguise symptoms. Other products can contain cortisone and alcohol. Therefore administering Panadol, throat lozenges, cough mixture, vitamins, nappy cream, teething cream or any prescribed drugs can only be administered with a medical authority.

Some of the most significant changes will apply from later as they will take some time to implement.

they can show that their injury occurred as a consequence of the employer’s negligence. Injured workers in all other states in Australia have access to common law rights.

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I N D I G E N O U S I SS U E S According to a report released by the AEU in 2007, access to high quality early childhood education is inequitable throughout Australia. Government research has shown that this inequity means that Indigenous children are less likely to be prepared for formal schooling, causing them much disadvantage. Across the country, the percentage of Indigenous children enrolled in preschools and early childhood care is significantly low. Although this problem requires action on a wide scale, there are some who have taken the initiative to act at the local level. Charmaine Griswood is one of these people. Along with her only other staff member, teacher Toni Turci, she has transformed Oaklands Estate Preschool into a multicultural facility with a focus on inclusiveness for Indigenous children. And this inclusiveness begins right at the front gate. With their students, Charmaine and Toni created a mural (pictured) for the front of the preschool to

Walking together in the community AEU members at southern preschool promote Indigenous enrolment by Craig Greer focus is most obvious. A large Aboriginal flag hangs at one end of the room flanked by smaller versions the children have painted. On the walls there are various Indigenous works that have been produced with the children. One depicts different Aboriginal artifacts with explanations, another reads:

state their commitment to accessibility for Indigenous children. “We thought it was important that there was something visible to the public that said ‘We welcome the Aboriginal community’. So we applied to the Marion Council for some funding and we had the mural erected. The children did a lot of the artwork and you can see that the pictures they have drawn are of different looking people walking along a path, and that’s what we want to represent – that we are walking together in the community.” And it seems that advertising their values has made a big difference at Oaklands Estate. In 2002 there were no Indigenous children enrolled at the preschool. But in the years since, the preschool has seen a rapid growth in enrolments, with about five or six children of Indigenous background enrolled each term. But it’s inside the preschool grounds and building that the Indigenous and multicultural

“There are children in the deserts and children in the towns and children who live down by the sea, if we could meet each other to run and sing and play then what good friends we all could be.” It’s this kind of sentiment that is evident throughout the preschool and is always a big part of the activities enjoyed by children. Recently, the kids were involved in their own ‘Corroboree’ – an Aboriginal ceremony where participants interact with the ‘Dreamtime’ through song, dance and costume. The children made their own didgeridoos for the occasion and sat around a makeshift campfire to recreate the traditional ceremony. The preschool has been lucky enough to receive guidance on appropriate activities from a member of the Stolen Generations who has taken the time in recent years to visit the classroom to talk about different aspects of Aboriginal culture with the children. Unlike some schools and preschools, where Indigenous activities may be the focus during Reconciliation Week or at another significant time of year, Oaklands Estate Preschool’s Indigenous and multicultural

focus is completely integrated into their program. Each child has their own learning program that is highly reflective of their background. This allows the children to develop as modern Australians without forgetting who they are or where they came from. Along with children of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island background, the preschool has a number of children from various African countries enrolled. “The African kids are fantastic,” says Charmaine. “We try to learn words from each other’s language and we engage in activities related to each child’s culture on a regular basis. One of the African mums brought in a singing cloth and we used that for an activity. She was happy that we involved her cultural traditions in our program.” Charmaine and Toni believe in the importance of positive affirmation and do whatever they can to make sure the children are proud of their culture. “We celebrate difference here. It’s not always obvious that a person is from an Indigenous culture but we like to treat everyone as equals while recognising that they each bring something different to the community.” Talking to Charmaine, it’s obvious that she has a passion for educating and that her preschool is deeply committed to providing a place where children from all backgrounds can gain confidence in their early years. Nothing is better for a child’s confidence than a good start to schooling. Through word-of-mouth, the parents of Marion and surrounding suburbs are becoming aware of this little gem tucked away off the main road, and their children are reaping the rewards. The AEU congratulates Charmaine and Toni for the great work thay are doing at Oaklands Estate Preschool and their commitment to cultural integration is a fine example for all education workers. I

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C H I L D C A R E P R I VAT I SAT I O N

T E ST I N G P R I VAT I SAT I O N

The ABCs of privatisation If anything illustrates the dangers of education and care services being run by for-profit private companies, it must be the childcare services area. This “industry” is dominated by ABC Learning owned by entrepreneur Eddie Groves. Groves set up his empire under the protection of Howard Government policies that guaranteed profitability by paying subsidies to families for child care directly to centre owners. Groves got rich so quickly that he decided to expand into the US and British markets, taking out massive loans using his ABC Learning shares as collateral. Then, with Groves crying foul about the whiteanting behaviour of international hedge funds, his banks issued margin calls against his loans, prompting him into a fire sale of the millions of ABC Learning shares he owned. That snowballed with other investors jettisoning shares for a total three-day rout that wiped $1 billion from its stock value. Groves saw the opportunity to recoup some of his losses when the new Federal government increased the childcare rebate from 30 to 50 percent at the beginning of July. ABC Learning simultaneously announced an 11 percent fee increase. Parliamentary secretary for childcare Maxine McKew deplored the decision and said Groves would be “asked for an explanation”. Wow, like that’s tough! Now comes a second manoeuvre. On July 30, Groves announced that he was rebranding some of his centres under a different company name as Neighbourhood Early Learning Centres. This follows bad publicity about standards in some ABC Learning centres. Together with the financial upheavals, this has led numbers of parents to withdraw their children from ABC Learning Centres and seek alternative placements. Now they’ll be able to go to an alternative, but it will still be owned by Eddie. Announcing a pre-tax loss of $437 million on the same day, Groves complained that “waiting lists failed to improve as much as expected”. So what is it about children that sees them at the mercy of an industry dominated by the likes of Mr Groves? Children are not commodities and should not be placed into positions of vulnerability where their physical and emotional safety and early learning is allowed to be the plaything of a company that operates for profit. Childcare provision should be taken out of the hands of private owners and shareholders and be brought back under direct I government ownership and control.

7 Dr. Ken Boston

Anything but a Tea Party One of the great intangible rewards of being a teacher is to hear from former students and share in their post-school successes and achievements. As a corollary to that, one of the great satisfactions as an employee and union member is to hear that certain former Chief Executives are experiencing hard times in their post-DECS lives. Which brings us to the aptly named “Boston Strangler”. Dr. Ken Boston was Director-General of Education here from 1988–1992. He then moved to the same position in NSW where he stayed for ten years before taking up the post of Chief Executive of the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in September 2002. Boston has made his mark on schooling in the UK, overseeing a reform to curriculum content and supporting the publication of “league tables” of students’ results. He has also privatised the standardised assessment testing (SATs) and marking regime, and it is the latter which has been responsible for his appearance before the House of Commons Schools Select Committee in July, where MPs demanded to see a copy of his contract in the wake of a giant fiasco concerning the tests. Last year Boston scrapped the system under which Local Education Authorities administered the 11plus over the whole of England and Wales year after year without any problems, dismissing the old system as “a Victorian cottage industry”. “(Now) everything is barcoded, receipted. More and more data is moved electronically. More marking is done on screen and it is improving quality because the chief examiner can monitor,” he boasted in an interview with The Guardian last September. After a “rigorous and diligent” process, the £156 million five-year contract for marking the SATs was awarded to an American company, ETS Global. And that’s when things started to go wrong.

Boston has been forced to admit that the government’s school testing regime is under “very great stress” in its first run as a privatised system, citing problems such as delays in getting papers to markers, cumbersome data entry requirements, unmarked scripts being wrongly returned to schools and a failure to reply to 10,000 emails from schools and markers complaining of problems with the system. Results for primary school students were late, and thousands of 14-year-olds faced a wait until September for results due in early July. Boston was forced to admit that the new system could not be “modernised” in time for next year’s tests and delays to results for 14-year-olds were likely in summer 2009. There have been calls for ETS to have its contract cancelled, but unless this is done by mutual consent, the British taxpayer faces a multimillion pound compensation bill to be paid to an incompetent multinational. None of this has particularly fazed the “Strangler”. Instead he has promised further changes to the SATs tests, calling for the scrapping of the current regime of mass testing by 2010 and its replacement with a “just-in-time” system of delivering students up for testing at any time when they are deemed to be “ready”. JIT systems in industry are designed to get around the problems associated with peak production times. Boston’s solution will spread testing and marking out over the whole year rather than seeing it concentrated in two annual “peak” testing weeks. That may be good for the privatised testing company but is bound to add to the workload and stress of the teacher in the classroom. But then, were not increased workload and stress levels part of Dr Boston’s legacy here? I Mike Williss AEU Research Officer

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Rolling Stoppages

I N D U ST R I A L AC T I O N CO N T I N U E S

TREASURER FOLEY’S OFFICE Port Adelaide – Tuesday 5 August

MP KERIN’S OFFICE Port Pirie – Tuesday 5 August

MP REDMOND’S OFFICE Strirling – Monday 4 August

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CO U N T R Y M AT T E R S

E B 2 0 0 8 U P DAT E

EB bites in the country

Check out the EB blog for news and updates at:

The key issues relating to the AEU claim for a new Agreement and the inadequacies of the Government offer are clearly resonating with members across the state in metropolitan, regional and smaller country communities. Coupled with this State Government’s rationalisation of country health services and the apparent lack of provision of much needed health professionals, the contempt with which country educators are being treated is only building their resolve to take this Government on. This is clearly the biggest battle since a previous Labor Government faced angry contract teachers demanding conversion to permanent appointments in country schools. Add to this the current economic climate of rising living costs and you have communities ready to throw their support behind an under-resourced education workforce. As Organisers move across country regions, conducting area meetings and visiting members in sub-branches, it becomes increasingly apparent that members are angry with this Government and are determined to see through a campaign which will ultimately deliver a satisfactory outcome. They want to see preschools, schools and TAFE campuses resourced with qualified educators with incentives to stay in order to deliver high quality curriculum to all children and students across all sectors. Apart from the salary offer which fails to remunerate any education worker to a level which will prevent them from seeking employment interstate, other key issues affecting country members include: • An appropriate incentives scheme to attract and retain education workers to country locations

www.2008eba.org

• Adequate support for new educators in the first 3 years of employment • A funding proposal, the Student Centred Resource Funding Model, which will deliver significant reductions in funding to many small and country schools and preschools The resolve of country members is reflected in ballot results for industrial action. Many sites closed last term for the stop work action and many more voted in support of the half day stoppages. Our country members are taking action against a government that is clearly out of touch with their health and education needs. Keep up the fight. Our metro colleagues are standing strong with you. I

EB motions endorsed On 24 July, around 250 members unanimously reject funding model and support EB action.

embers from around the State from preschools, schools and TAFE unanimously endorsed the following motions which will be tabled at Branch Council on Saturday 16 August 2008: 1. That this delegates meeting calls on Premier Rann to show strong leadership in directing his Ministers to remove the inadequate and inept Student Centred Resource Funding model from the Government’s offer. 2. That this delegates meeting determines as unacceptable, any funding model that decreases funding to schools and preschools, and:

a) allocates less staffing b) deregulates working conditions for non-teaching staff c) increases class size d) removes industrial protections 3. That as a result of the State Government’s failure to deliver an Enterprise Bargaining outcome that values the education workforce of SA, we commit to an ongoing and escalating campaign of political, community and industrial action.

Thank you to all members who attended this meeting.

5 AEU President, Correna Haythorpe speaking to members at the recent delegates meeting.

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E A ST TO R R E N S P R I M A R Y SC H O O L

E B 0 8 : S W I M M I N G & AQ U AT I CS

Strong support for rolling stoppages

Progress of negotiations

1 Lisa Lloyd

1 George Sarantaugas

erhaps it’s a sign of the times, but like many public schools, East Torrens Primary has more than its fair share of complexity. The school caters for a number of Special Ed classes, a New Arrivals Program (NAP) and a significant number of students from disadvantaged families.

Like many sites in South Australia, the East Torrens Sub-branch has seen a growth in membership in recent months. Is this union-wide growth in new members a result of the industrial action that the AEU has been forced to take? You bet. During the week of the full-day stop work on June 17 the AEU gained over 400 new members, with each insulting Offer or anti-union jibe from the Government the numbers continue to grow. Seven of these new members are

Sub-branch Secretary George Sarantaugas working at East Torrens Primary School and they all participated in the June 17 action. While visiting the school, I met Lisa Lloyd, a new educator in her first year of teaching. Although Lisa says she is enjoying the challenge and loves working at the school, she’s also finding the job pretty tough: “Even though I’m a mature-age student and I’ve had some life experience – I’ve worked as manager at five-star hotel for instance – I’m finding the job extremely challenging. I think I’m a good teacher and I give 100 percent, but I feel quite unsupported – not by my colleagues here, they’re great – I feel unsupported by the Department. There’s just not enough time or resources allocated to beginning teachers for preparation, marking and observation. Doing a degree isn’t enough. You need time to observe experienced teachers while on the job.” While it’s good news that more and more educators are joining the AEU, many teachers – especially those in their first ten years – are talking about switching careers. “I joined the union as a student and I fully support the stop work protests. There is good reason that we are taking this action. If class sizes aren’t reduced; if teachers continue to spend hours of their own time working; if the salaries don’t start to reflect the work we do, people like me will leave and look for work in another profession,” says Lisa. I

www.2008eba.org

“There’s no doubt that our members are united on this”, says Sub-branch Secretary George Sarantaugas. “Many people are saying that, although the claim is not all about pay, we deserve to be paid more for the work we do.” This sentiment is shared by NAP teacher Belinda Laver. “It seems crazy that a professional can reach the top of the pay scale after only eight years and then have to submit a mass of extra work to apply for the status of Advanced Skills Teacher. If the Government can’t properly fund decent salaries for teachers we’ll see many good people leaving the profession.”

“Many people are saying that, although the claim is not all about pay, we deserve to be paid more for the work we do.”

Check out the EB blog for news and updates at:

Coping with the challenges of working at a school with high complexity is never easy, but it helps to have a strong group of committed teachers and a strong Union sub-branch. After talking with some of the members, it became clear that the East Torrens sub-branch is a supportive and united bunch. And the recent ballot on rolling stoppages backs that up. The sub-branch was unanimous in it’s vote to take further industrial action after the government failed to deliver an improved Offer in late July.

1 Belinda Laver

I have attended recent meetings between the AEU and Government negotiation teams primarily representing Swimming and Aquatics members. I also have a strong interest in our whole claim and the outcomes for all sectors. Over the last six months progress in negotiations for Swimming and Aquatics has been negligible. Even though a good proportion of our claim is at zero cost and aimed at fairness in the workplace, the Governments negotiators have made no concessions until recently and what they have been prepared to discuss has been of minor consequence. Having previously participated in negotiations with DECS (who form part of the Government’s team), this situation does not surprise me; I have found that it takes more than good common sense and clever negotiating to shift their position. They use sophisticated language but their tactics are ones of avoidance and postponement. These negotiations particularly concern me. The Government’s team has gone from avoidance to callous disregard, not only do they ignore the real issues surrounding Swimming and Aquatics, they have no problems or embarrassment about presenting and refusing to budge from their ridiculous offers to schools and TAFE. There is a massive chasm between the two parties and when staff are crying out for help and for pressure to be relieved from the system, it is unbelievable that they could take this approach. Ultimately, the whole system will suffer if problems are not fixed. Our rage was displayed on Tuesday, 17 June when thousands gathered in front of Parliament House. Minister Michael Wright has gone but they still don’t negotiate in any sensible or reasonable manner – if anything, they have become more intransigent. It is not only frustrating and insulting, their callous disregard towards us all in negotiations is repulsive. Unbelievably, they have not got the message. We will not accept this so they had better wake up and start being reasonable. They are not only wasting precious time, they are loosing our good will. If allowed to, they will stuff up the Public Education system. I urge you all to continue to fight for what you deserve – a job with reasonable conditions that you can be proud of. We must give the AEU negotiating team the power to move the Government from its intransigent and insulting position. I Kelvin Jeanes, Aquatics Instructor

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TA F E : E B 2 0 0 8 U P DAT E

SA L A R I E S : E B 2 0 0 8 U P DAT E

TAFE: new Government Offer

National Teacher Salary Comparison Salary Maxima – top scale

Northern Territory

$ 70,047

A second EB Offer for TAFE was handed to AEU President Correna Haythorpe at the conclusion of DECS negotiations 0n 23 July. The main features of the second offer are:

Queensland

$ 71,993 Western Australia

Salary increases No change to previous offer of 3.25% increase on 1 October 2008, 2009 and 2010 except for approximately 75 lecturers currently on Lecturer step 6 (7.48%) and: • LA step 3 ( less than 6 employees 3.6%) • LA step 2 (less than 5 employees 9.24%) • LA step 1 (0 employees 15.6%) through translation to the new scale.

$ 72,844

South Australia

$ 68,422 New South Wales

$ 75,352 ACT

$ 74,279

New TAFE Educator Structure The new Offer proposes progression within the structure on the basis of assessment of competencies through scheduled performance management.

Victoria

Check out the EB blog at:

$ 75,494

www.2008eba.org

Tasmania

Level 6 and 7 Promotion Positions

$ 71,134

Check out the EB blog for news and updates at:

As in the previous offer, ASL2 translates to Level 6 and Principal Lecturer to Level 7, which are promotion positions with quotas.

Education Managers The Offer abolishes EMA step 1 and relaxes academic requirements for appointment to all EM positions for applicants with a minimum two years management experience at a comparable level.

Maternity Leave Increased Paid Maternity Leave to 14 weeks from current 12 weeks.

Workload Scheduling There is now recognition that a variety of methodologies may be employed in achieving the 18 – 24 hours per week or 720 – 960 hours per year TAFE teaching.

Span of Hours/Time Loadings

www.2008eba.org

The Offer drops the earlier proposal to define ordinary hours as 7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday. Ordinary hours are now to be defined as 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday, with a requirement to work two nights per week if directed, and further nights by mutual agreement. The Offer takes away the 50% time loading off attendance time for work between 6pm and 10pm and reduces the 100% loading off attendance time for work from 10pm to 7am to 50%. Saturday and Sunday work will keep its 100% time loading.

Working in More than one Location There will now be reimbursement for employees required to travel for work purposes more than 45km in the metropolitan area and 75km in regional areas.

Government yet to shift Still no parity, still less than CPI The new Government Salary Offer of 3.25 percent has been rejected by members as inadequate and insulting. It fails to keep pace with the rate of inflation or recent interstate salary increases. If accepted, education in South Australia would very quickly become uncompetitive in the national labour market, leading to growing teacher shortages. In real terms, the Government’s Offer will see the salaries of educators go backwards. The latest South Australian CPI Increase for June came in at 4.6 percent. This was on top of the previous March to March increase of 4.5 percent. The ABS figures clearly show the pressure that households are under. Fuel is up 8 percent, loans 9.5 percent, and rent 2.2 percent. If after reading this you need a stiff drink, don’t reach for that bottle of spirits, as it is up 6.1 percent. When setting salaries, it has been common practice for comparisons to be made between the top of the teacher salaries scale. Over time, the development of classifications such as AST, leading teacher and the like, have distorted the salary scale. Debate has developed around the question of what the top level is, as other states have softer barriers to these classification levels than South Australia. Consequently, other states around

the country have much higher percentages of teachers earning at the top salary scale. It has become clear that the most common salary at the top of the ‘automatic’ Australian Teacher salary scale is $75,000 (see diagram above). This means that we cannot accept the Government Offer as it would entrench South Australian education salaries at the bottom of the salary pile for at least 3 years – possibly longer. The recent WA settlement proposal – although yet to be voted on – provides an immediate increase of 4.5 percent with another 4.5 percent in June next year. Western Australian teachers will see increases in the order of between 18 to 21 percent. This is coupled with increases in allowances for country schools and additional allowances for teachers in hard to staff locations. SA teachers need to secure an immediate increase to keep pace with interstate salary movements and inflation. We must aim not only for the national standard of $75,000 – with follow-on increases around 4.5 percent and other allowances – but also for easier access to improved salaries for exemplary teaching and extra duties. Access to such classifications should be available to a majority of practising teachers. I

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O N L I N E AC T I V I S M

Have you heard of LabourStart? The website claims it’s ‘The place where trade unionists start their day on the net’. Not sure how true that is but it sounds catchy. In fact, my first morning click on the ‘mouse-trap’ usually directs me straight to the ABC News page where I get a good dose of everything that’s happening locally, nationally and across the globe. With text, audio, photos and video to choose from, I can get my fix of news and opinion delivered quickly in whichever medium I prefer. Aunty, thank God, is up with the times. I’m as good a passive receiver of news, entertainment and social messaging as the next person and, thanks to sites like the ABC, YouTube, FaceSpace (sic), and Twitter, I’m very well catered for. However, justifying the purchase of my iMac and my mobile web device requires something more from me as a ‘user’ and this is where sites like LabourStart come in. Started by experienced trade unionist Eric Lee (pictured above), LabourStart champions the rights of workers by promoting online activism to support trade union campaigns around the world. Since its inception LabourStart has had success with many Internet campaigns. Recently I was in Melbourne at a conference run by Eric and managed to ask him a few questions. Journal: Eric, where did the idea for LabourStart come from? Eric: Well originally LabourStart was almost like a blog. It was a website I created to update

the book I’d written in 1996, so it started out as a one man project and has grown into something much bigger. Journal: You obviously have a passion for trade unionism and social justice. Do you have a long history as a trade unionist? Eric: I do, and currently I’m a member of two unions, the National Union of Journalists (UK), and I’m very proud to be a member of the Industrial Workers of World. Journal: Activism has changed quite a lot since the introduction of the web and obviously it is being used in many different ways, do you think online activism will continue to expand in the future? Eric: Yeah, as I keep telling people I speak to on the subject, it’s not a mature technology for us yet. We’re really only at the tip of the iceberg, there is great potential for wider use of the technology, and so I would say where at an embryonic stage at the moment. Journal: You’ve run many campaigns since the launch of LabourStart. Which of these do you feel have been the most successful? Eric: Success isn’t measured by the amount of hits you get or the amount of people who sign up. Campaign success is when you reach the goal you set out to achieve. So success for us was, for example, winning better conditions for Sydney Hilton workers. We also managed to raise funds for Ford workers in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) so that they could strike for 21 days to outlast the boss. That was a big success. The other big win that comes to mind was the victory over Dunne’s Stores in Ireland. Some people might remember young Joanne Delaney, the union member who was sacked for wearing her union pin to work. We managed to get

Joanne reinstated so that was a great success. Journal: Eric, it sounds like some kind of disparaging swipe or perhaps a type of birdcall, can you tell our readers what Twitter is? Eric: The idea is to find ways to communicate with people while avoiding spam and information overload. Twitter does this. It’s a text messaging application on the web that allows people to send messages to groups of ‘followers’ (people who have signed up to receive your messages) at no cost. You can send the message from the Internet for free or you can send it from your mobile but it will cost whatever your carrier’s standard rate is for an SMS. Journal: You have mentioned SMS and web, and of course email is a well utilised method of campaigning, what else has the web done to benefit political activists and trade unionists? Eric: The web actually changes the consciousness of the person using it. Ten years ago trade unionists wouldn’t have known half of what they know about globalisation and international union issues. They’re picking up on things that they would never have heard of before because they are on sites like LabourStart. Journal: How can union members make sure that they are informed about the issues within their union and the labour movement? Do they need to become ‘computer geeks’ to keep up-to-date? Eric: No, not at all. It’s really up to the user as to how much technology they want to embrace but the most important thing is to make sure your union has your current email address at all times. Many unions say that they put up lots of information on the web and still their members say that they feel ‘out of the loop’, and then they tell me that they don’t have an email database for their members! So, the key is to make sure all members have supplied you with an email address. I Craig Greer, AEU Communications Coordinator

Keeping you up-to-date

Online

we need your preferred

email address Email to: membership@aeusa.asn.au or call Rhonda on: 8272 1399

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O P RHESS&I W D EAWA N T ’ SR V DISE W 2008

N O RT H - W E ST A R E A M E E T I N G

For more info go to:

Health & Safety Reps deserve recognition

www.safework.sa.gov.au/sw08

It can be hard going, with no guaranteed time allocated to do it, but still, hundreds of AEU members take on the crucial role of Health & Safety Reps (HSRs) at their workplace. These dedicated people represent their fellow employees on issues where health and safety may be affected. Because they are entitled to annual training they are often seen as the site expert on all things OHSW and they are often part of the active ‘union team’ at the site when conditions are the issue. All Health & Safety Reps (HSRs) make a valuable contribution. But some really do go ‘above and beyond’ to ensure that the employer fulfils its duty of care. If your HSR is one of these dedicated people, they deserve public recognition. Ditto if you are a proactive HSR yourself. SAFEWORK SA offers awards each year that provide this opportunity. Because of holidays and journal publication dates, I am negotiating to have the application deadline of August 8th amended. I Jill Cavanough AEU Organiser, OHSW Focus

For more info or to apply: (see website left) or email Jill @:

jcavanough@aeusa.asn.au

AEU Ready Reckoner By now most members will be aware that up to 47 percent of schools will lose funding under the Government’s proposed Student Centred Resource Funding Model (SCRFM). Although the AEU has argued strongly against the SCRFM there has been no indication from DECS or State Government representatives that the model will be abandoned, despite the disastrous implications for many of our schools. The AEU is continuing to campaign against the introduction of the model, which we see as an abhorrent attack on public education in South Australia. To assist you in working out if your school will be defunded under the proposed model, the AEU has produced a ‘Ready Reckoner’. I

Download ‘Ready Reckoner’ online @

www.aeusa.asn.au/ infopages/5202.html 16

1 AEU members from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.

Anungu members meet in ‘The Alice’ On the very last day of last month, the North-West Area Meeting was held in Alice Springs. For those of you who don’t know where the North-West Area is, it comprises of nine schools located on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY) in the top north-west corner of South Australia. Alice Springs is the closest town and some members drove nearly 1000 kms to attend. The meting agenda was packed – a good thing given the lengths some members had gone to in order to attend. One of those who travelled a long way – albeit in the relative luxury of a Qantas jet – was Tony Johnston from Teachers Federation Health. Tony spoke to members about the fantastic health care savings available to AEU members through the Teachers Federation Health fund. The presentation was well received by members, particularly in view of the incredible increase in cost of living in remote areas. Diesel, for example, is currently costing around $2.00 per litre! Enterprise Bargaining was, of course, a very hot issue and members spoke passionately about their contempt for the State Government’s insulting Offers. Members in attendance stated their desire to increase the pressure on the Government and force them to put some real investment into public education. Communication was another important agenda item. As one can appreciate, it is very difficult, and unreasonable, to ask our members to travel extensive kilometres to attend an area meeting. The North-West members have been discussing ideas on how to increase communication across the distances without having to drive 1000 kms on a regular basis. Members working in the area have always relied on teleconferencing, supplemented with two face-to-face meetings per year. Despite the knowledge

that strong union activism is required in order to win conditions that will inevitably reduce workloads and stress, it’s the limitations of these two things specifically that have made it more difficult for staff to attend meetings and put the necessary time and energy into union activity. By taking the initiative to improve communications within the Area, AEU members in the North-West hope to make involvement in union activism that little bit easier. Last but not least, the subject of grounds people and cleaners was discussed. One of the members in attendance had recently been to an information session on OHS&W and left with the realisation that there are other people who work in the education sector who are not protected by the AEU. Groundspeople and cleaners play a vital role in the education system. Not surprisingly, they are also under pressure due to increasing workloads and decreasing conditions. After discussing this issue, members unanimously passed a motion to show solidarity with these employees. After the meeting was closed, a relative of a cleaner came and thanked me as Chairperson for bringing the issue up and was overwhelmed by the support shown by all the members. In turn, I thanked the member responsible for putting the issue on the agenda. After all, every employee within education plays a vital part, and when one sector is under stress, it puts pressure on all of us. The Area Meeting was very successful and a joy to be a part of. We have some really amazing people working on the APY Lands, many of whom are also members of the AEU. Our next face-to-face meeting will not be until the end of November and, along with our annual Christmas Party, will be held at Yulara. Thankyou all to all members who attended and I hope to see you at the Christmas Party! I

Carmel Molen, SSO4 Anangu Education Services – Ernabella

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N E W E D U C ATO R S I N 2 0 0 8

R O L L I N G STO P PAG E S

New Educators Newsletter goes online New Educators have been busy this year – not just with learning the craft of teaching, but talking to their union about what are hot topics for them in 2008. New Educators have a real interest in their union and why wouldn’t they? Membership with the AEU isn’t just about receiving industrial protection, it gives members access to some of the best training and development in town, provides opportunities to build professional networks and a whole lot more.

To attend New Educators’ events register online @:

Kicking off with the New Educators State Conference in April, the year so far has provided many opportunities for new and aspiring teachers to engage in union activity and training. We’ve had some fabulous events for new and aspiring new teachers in 2008. Events held so far include: •

“Meet the Principals” Two sessions for AEU student members where Principals talked to graduates about to enter the Public Education workforce. These sessions resulted in contracts for four of the members involved

•

Application writing session for New Educator Contract Teachers This gave new educators the opportunity to ask the experts about how to improve their applications and to ask some questions about how the application process works

•

“New Educators, New Leaders”

www.aeusa.asn.au/events

This was a full-day workshop for over fifty AEU members who have gained leadership positions early on in their careers or are looking to move into a leadership role. It was a really amazing team building day, so look out for some young leaders near you! •

Classroom Management Workshops run by Lynette Virgona from W.A. These workshops are building on the classroom management workshops held at the New Educators Conference. Lynette’s workshops are delivered in a down to earth style, providing a raft of strategies to help improve beginning teachers’ classroom management skills

And we’ve got more events to come. If you are teaching in the Mid-North, check out our Regional New Educators Conference. Starting with a dinner on Friday 29 August, it concludes with a day of workshops and activities on Saturday August 30. This Conference will

New Educators Newsletter What we’ve been up to……. We’ve had some fabulous events for new and aspiring new teachers this year. Kicking off with the New Educators State Conference in April and just flying from there. Your membership with the AEU doesn’t just get you industrial protection but it also gets you access to some of the hottest training and development in town.

We've had an Application writing session for New Educator Contract Teachers. We've had a "New Educators New Leaders" Day which was an all day workshop for over 50 AEU members early in their career who are

Australian Education Union Volume 1 Issue 2 July 25 2008 Authorised by Jack Major 163 Greenhill Rd Parkside SA 5063

already in leadership or want to get into it. That was a really amazing team building day so look out for some young leaders near you! And as a special follow up from the 2008 State New Educators Conference we've started the first 2 days of the Know someone who "Classroom Management” course with wants to join the AEU? ſ Call our membership team Lynette Virgona! Wow, all of that plus 2 rallies in the holidays and more action to come.

New Educators State Conference 2008 Look at all of these events… We've had 2 "Meet the Principals" sessions for AEU student members - and at least 4 got contracts directly out of that night!

If you are teaching in the Mid North check out our regional New Eds Conference August 29 (Dinner) and all day Satu r d a y 3 0 i n C l a r e . http://www.aeusa.asn.au/ events/5220.html

on 08 8272 1399 ſ Go online: www. aeusa.asn.au ſ Talk to your site’s Sub Branch Secretary

Got a question? AEU Information

Win an Ipod Shuffle for the best new rally chant!

Unit 10:30—5pm Monday to Friday We answer AEU members

“What do we want?” “A fairer offer!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” Over a quiet ale after the J-Lo rally during the holidays a couple of us were talking about coming up

with some more inspirational chants. We need fun (G Rated) chants, slogans, songs etc for our upcoming rounds of industrial action. Email me by August 8 with

your 2008 Enterprise Bargaining Chant. Winner will be notified by email. slislemenzel@aeusa.asn.au Think ‘Barmy Army’ - but about us. The more creative the better!

questions, confidentially. Phone: 08 8272 13 99 You can reverse the charges if you need.

include a session from Lynette Virgona on classroom management, industrial information, networking opportunities and a bit of fun thrown in. If you have New Educators at your site, you might like to ask them if they have received their New Educators Newsletter yet. We are sending this PDF to all our members who are on pay tier 1/2/3, provided we have an up-to-date email address. If they haven’t received it, perhaps we have an old email address. To update membership records or to report that they didn’t receive the newsletter, they can call our membership unit on 8272 1399. They could even win an iPod Shuffle for best new rally chant! I Sam Lisle-Menzel AEU Organiser | New Educator Focus

* U PCO M I N G

EVENT

Fri 29 – Sat 30 August Regional New Educators Conference For aspiring New Educators teaching in the Mid-North. This Conference will include a session from Lynette Virgona on classroom management, industrial information, networking opportunities and a bit of fun thrown in (development certificates provided).

For info or to register contact: Sam Lisle-Menzel: 8272 1399 E: slisle-menzel@aeusa.asn.au

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W O M E N ’ S F O C U S : W O R K L I F E BA L A N CE Recently, as I was driving to work with my toast sitting on the dashboard of the car (toast that had popped almost two hours earlier), I started to wonder about this social obsession with Work Life Balance. What does it actually mean? Who truly feels that they have this amazing balance between their working and family life? Does it exist or is it just a myth? Does eating your breakfast while driving to work constitute personal down time and balance? Sometimes it feels like balancing your work and home life is about meeting the expectations you place on yourself and countering those of the people around you. Working full time and parenting two small children is a very difficult juggling act. After

article about The Working Mother’s Survival Guide, a book by ex-Labor speech writer Jo Scard and Melissa Doyle from the Sunrise program. The book offers a list of useful tips for women to help them balance their work and family life. While much of what Melissa and Jo had to say was common sense, based on the article, it seemed that their book is focussed purely on what we can do as individuals to improve our work and life balance. Unfortunately, the article did not raise the issue of employee/ employer relationship. As educators, we are all aware of the importance of looking after our health and that of our families. We understand the need to ensure that our social, emotional and physical needs are met. We appreciate the wider social benefits of happy, content and balanced families. Does understanding what we need to help us reach this crucial goal, automatically empower us to achieve it? In 2007, the House of Assembly approved

Toast on the run AEU Women’s Officer Tish Champion reports on Work Life Balance School Care and Family Day Care, while wonderful facilities, only help so much. Unfortunately, they don’t transport to kids to soccer practice, tap dancing lessons and birthday parties, and they don’t cook dinner. Family, fellow school parents and friends are not an automatic and guilt free fall back position. Recently, I was reading an issue of Women’s Weekly – I must have been in the doctor’s surgery with a sick child. Inside there was an

the appointment of a committee to enquire into how South Australians can balance work and life responsibilities. Apparently, being able to reconcile work and family is increasingly important to governments because they now realise that when the balance is right, there are huge benefits for society. The report of the Select Committee on Balancing Work and Life Responsibilities

‘08

AEU Federal Women’s Conference

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October

“People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.” John Wananmaker (1838 – 1922)

found that there were several factors which prevented a reconciliation of work and life, including: • a lack of high-quality child care and incompatible school and preschool hours • taxation arrangements which do not support a shared approach to paid work and care • increased reliance on in-home care for the aged • current household debt levels • career disruptions and stereotyping based on gender, leading to inequalities in terms of paid and unpaid work The report found that women in particular, are no longer prepared to make a choice between work and family. We work for an organisation which clearly does not value the importance of a healthy work life balance. The recent Offer from DECS does not address the AEU claims for wellbeing and work/life balance for teaching and non-teaching staff. In its claim, the AEU asked DECS to address the wellbeing of its employees by ensuring that workloads are fair and reasonable and that consideration be given to weekly contact time, class size, student diversity, student support needs, meeting attendance, administrative duties and leadership responsibilities. Unfortunately DECS have not taken this request seriously. Apart from increased paid maternity leave from 12 to 14 weeks, DECS has largely ignored the provisions for more flexible work options set out in the AEU Claim. They have ignored the AEU Claim for provisions of cultural, foster carers, palliative, grandparent and partner leave. This is not an employer which values employee well being and the mutual benefits of improved work life balance. When is DECS going to finally realise that there are tangible benefits to be gained from workplace practices and policies that improve work and life balance of all employees?

Call for nominations We are currently seeking nominations for women delegates to attend. The conference is held annually in Melbourne. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the AEU. The AEU | SA Branch is entitled to six delegates.

To register your interest in being a delegate submit a 300 word statement which outlines your commitment to women’s issues and unionism by Friday, 22 August to:

Status of Women Consultative Committee 163 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA 5063 or email: tchampion@aeusa.asn.au

For further information: Tish Champion | AEU Women’s Officer 18

T: 8272 1399 E: tchampion@aeusa.asn.au

To quote from the Report of the Select Committee on Balancing Work and Life Responsibilities, American merchant John Wananmaker (1838 – 1922) stated that: “people who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.” I

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ROLLING STOPPAGES

Contact us @ the AEU! Did you know that the Shorter School Year Professional Development Scheme DISCRIMINATES on grounds of Gender and Pregnancy? The policy states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where eligible staff are on leave for less than a year but including term four, they should apply to the Assistant Director Staffing for reinstatement of any entitlement they have accrued up until the last week of term 4.â&#x20AC;? Unfortunately the DECS policy for paid maternity or adoption leave clearly states that week 10 term 4 does not extend the maternity leave. Women on paid maternity leave during term 4 who have completed the required T & D hours will not have those hours reimbursed or be able to bank them. This is discriminatory on the grounds of gender and pregnancy.

Paid Maternity Leave and Casual Employees Just because DECS tells you that you have casual employment does not mean that this is the case. Many casual employees work on a regular and systemic basis which may actually not fit the definition of casual employment at all. Therefore, if you are a casual employee, you may actually be eligible for paid maternity leave.

We are looking to pursue these matters through the Equal Opportunity Commission. If either of the above issues affect you, contact:

Tish Champion T: 8272 1399 E: tchampion@aeusa.asn.au 19

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The Guam Federation of Teachers Teachers union empowering the marginalised on Pacific Island reports Giles Goldsmith. 1 Two visiting members of the Guam Federation of Teachers on a recent visit to Adelaide

7 Addressing the students at Brighton Secondary School

decades. The US tested nuclear weapons in the region during the 1950s and 60s. Ships involved in the subsequent cleanup were serviced and washed down on Guam. Sites contaminated by the military abound on Guam.

Adelaide was visited recently by two Chamoru activists as part of a national tour organised by the Australian Anti-bases Campaign Coalition. Dr Lisa Natividad and Julian Aguon have taken their protest about the impact of the military build-up on their homeland across the world and explained it to a wide range of audiences –

including the UN. Julian is a young but widely published author. Dr Natividad is a relationship counsellor back on Guam whose application to join the muchadmired GFT was rejected because she is self-employed! In Adelaide the two campaigners visited Parliamentarians, trade union offices, Aboriginal organisations and the women’s studies class of Brighton Senior College. Their description of the crisis facing Guam filled wide gaps in the knowledge of local audiences. The Micronesian island of Guam was ceded to the US after the Spanish-American war in 1898. It suffered a brutal occupation by the Japanese during WWII between 1941 and 1944. The people of Guam feel a debt of gratitude to the liberating US forces but relations between the colonial power and the Indigenous people in particular have been sorely tested over the intervening

The fragile local economy depends on the military and tourism, which has slowed down alongside the Japanese economy. Prices for real estate are set to skyrocket as military personnel drive up prices on the local market. A two-tier health and education system applies for the 175,000 inhabitants; an adequate one on base for the military and a cash-strapped and failing system for the rest of the islanders. The local corporate media says little to protest the military presence, the lack of real political representation and the marginalisation of the 62,900 Chamorus. The Guam Federation of Teachers is the island’s only union. It was founded in 1965 and has opened its ranks to all Guam’s workers. It is affiliated to the US union movement’s AFL-CIO peak council and represents all the territory’s public sector workers. It is currently campaigning to be empowered to officially represent workers in private industry. Its monthly GFT News has a notably large circulation of 15,000 and is viewed as the only truly independent voice for the islanders outside of the growing and very lively blogosphere.

www.gftunion.com

Guam (or Guahan in the language of the Indigenous Chamoru people) is also home to a different kind of trade union – the Guam Federation of Teachers (GFT). The role of the union in standing up for the interests of working people on this non-self governing US colony is unique and its capacity to organise is about to be tested by new challenges as the military presence grows.

“Almost 90 percent of the children attending Guam’s public schools live in poverty.”

Visit the Guam Federation of Teachers website at:

ife is different on Guam. The tiny island territory in the northwest Pacific is dominated by giant naval and air force bases that form the “tip of the spear” of the US military in the region. That spear is now aimed squarely at China. It is about to receive an influx of 8,000 marines, their families and support staff as the US base on the Japanese island of Okinawa finally shuts down in 2014. Altogether, another 35,000 outsiders are due to arrive on the US’s prized “unsinkable aircraft carrier”.

The effects of colonisation and the military presence are the same on Guam as elsewhere in the world. For the Chamorus, death comes much sooner than for other US citizens. Heart disease is leading cause of death. They have five times the national average incidence of diabetes. Infant mortality is over double the national average rate. Cancer rates – a legacy of nuclear weapons testing – are many times the US rate.

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“The union is challenging the second rate health care contribution made by the government for public servants.”

FT News carries the sorts of news you would expect to see in the local throwaway press – about the local little league baseball games, for example – alongside the big issues. It is opposing the proposed deregulation of the supply of electricity. It is backing the USwide campaign for a significant increase to the minimum wage. The paper is supporting the union’s stance against the conversion of the island’s public schools into “charter schools” with councils able to charge fees like a (US) $200 admission fee, a $500 book fee, a $1000 computer fee, $1800 science lab fee, $600 athletic fee and so on. Almost 90 percent of the children attending Guam’s public schools live in poverty and qualify for free or reduced price lunches – but that is the beginning and end of the ‘special treatment’. Washington DC, which has a similar age demographic to Guam, had $12,949 per child spent on public education in 2006. Guam got $4,848 per child. Infrastructure is crumbling. Teachers often have to supply the day-to-day needs like tissues or photocopy paper out of their own pocket. The union is also challenging the second rate health care contribution made by the government for public servants. Nationally the average contribution is $9,851.33. For workers on Guam it is $2,600 and costs are through the roof in recent times. In summary, the colonial status of Guam and the lack of any sort of self-governance have not been exchanged for perks and special consideration for the inhabitants living and working outside the military bases; quite the opposite.

f i

Guam has a delegate in the US Congress and a Senator. In spite of UN resolutions about decolonisation and the illegality of hosting military bases on nongoverning territories, neither of its representatives in Washington can vote. Nevertheless, the Federation of Teachers has recently endorsed its current president Matt Rector to be their candidate for the US Senate. Hopes are high in the union that change is about to sweep through the US administration and that the people of I Guam may yet be heard.

Climate Emergency! No more business as usual The Conference will be held @ the AEU, Parkside on Saturday 11 October. The Environmental Activists’ Conference Climate Emergency - No More Business as Usual will be held on Saturday 11 October at the AEU, Parkside, following a Public Forum on Friday evening 10 October in the Basil Hetzel Auditorium at University of SA City East campus. The conference is designed to provide an open forum for education, ideas, solidarity and campaigning perspectives on how to avert the global warming threat. It aims to initiate wide-ranging discussion that will include exchanges between climate scientists and educators, activists and community organisations, environmental groups and concerned individuals. Existing climate change policy has lagged behind the emergency the world faces. Vested interests stand in the way of climate sustainability, and have to be confronted. To effect change, the broadest possible alliance for social justice and climate sustainability must be formed. The Environmental Activists’ Conference will consider practical alternatives to the now-lethal “business as usual” approach.

We invite all interested AEU members and community groups to participate. The conference will include plenary sessions by eminent speakers such as Dr Mark Diesendorf, University of NSW, Professor Barry Brook, Adelaide University and David Spratt, co-author of Climate Code Red and workshops addressing the topic “This is an Emergency - An Introduction to the Real Science of Global Warming.” Teachers, academics, community and environmental groups are invited to provide 100200 word descriptors of proposed workshops addressing any of the workshop sub-themes.

1. “Why not business as usual?” • • • •

Implications and effects of the science Challenging vested interests and barriers The politics of education (with a focus on the environment) Students as maintainers of the status quo or agents of change?

2. “Let’s get active! What can we do locally, nationally, globally?” • • • •

Developing school students as environmental activists How do we organise/educate for change? What are we actually doing now - stories from the teachers and community groups Political activism and campaigning

Please include details of space, layout and equipment needs. Workshops should be educative and interactive, and where possible should share resources and stories of successful teaching practice and/or local action and campaigns. Educators, community groups and organisations are invited to support the conference by circulating the conference information through their networks and encouraging attendance at both the Friday night public forum and the Saturday conference.

To submit a proposal for a workshop, please email:

lhall@aeusa.asn.au To register online for this conference visit the AEU website:

www.aeusa.asn.au/events/5297.html 21

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N OT I CE B OA R D

Members’ Market VICTOR HARBOR Holiday Hse: Enjoy a Break at ‘Southern Escape’! A beautifully renovated 3BR house within walking distance of the beach, skate park, shops, restaurants and the city centre. A ‘Home away from Home’ with all facilities. Large yard, great for relaxing and enjoying a BBQ and wine under the Pergola. T: 0413 920 554

FOR RENT: Week(s) accommodation in resorts in Australia, NZ, Asia, South Africa for $400 to $700pw, sleeps 2, 4 or 6. Ideal for family. Contact John: T: (08) 8295 3181 email: sterzlej@iprimus.com.au

FRANCE-South: Lovely Village House. $700 pw. www.hermes.net.au/villeneuve Contact Julie on: 0403 314 928

HOLIDAY RENTAL: Yorke Peninsula: Brand new up-market esplanade beach house ‘Manyana’ at Wool Bay (near Edithburgh). Features inc. spa bath, plasma TV, DVD, stereo,

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HOLIDAY GETAWAYS VICTOR HARBOR: All Seasons Lakefront Getaway: Stunning self-contained luxury colonial home in the picturesque surrounds of Encounter Lakes, Victor Harbor. Private secluded sandy beach and lake at your back door! 4BRs. Sleeps 8. 2 spacious living areas. 2nd bathroom, 3 toilets & laundry. Large alfresco undercover entertaining area. Huge lawned backyard which leads to secluded sandy beach and lake. Lakeside Getaway: Stunning modern villa at Encounter Lakes, Victor Harbor. Only 100m to clean, sandy beach and lovely reserve.

5-min. walk to scenic Esplanade, walking and bike trail, cafes, restaurants and general store. 3BRs. Sleeps 6. Spacious Lounge/ Family/Dining room. 2 way bathroom, separate toilet & laundry. Enquiries and bookings: www.victorharborholidayhomes. spaces.live.com T: 8344 7921 M: 0419 868 143 E: foumakis@hotmail.com

HOLIDAY GETAWAY MARION BAY: Well furnished, near new house in Marion Bay – gateway to Innes National Park. Sleeps 8, 3BRs, large living area, TV and DVD. Spacious balcony with outdoor setting and BBQ. Only 5 mins to Willyama Beach and 5km to Innes National Park. Further info & bookings: E: kireland15@gmail.com

HOLIDAY HOUSE CARRICKALINGA: Recently completed rebuild. A stunning architecturally designed beach house at North Bay. 1 hour from the city. 2 mins to beach. ‘Crow's nest’ views to sea, beach and hills. Extensive decking, 4BRs, 3 brand new bathrms and brand

new quality kitchen. 2 living areas. Fully landscaped grounds with play areas/equipment for kids. Sleeps up to 10. Winter rate $500 weekend including cleaning. Available school hols. T: 0403 015 964

ABSOLUTE SEAFRONT HOUSE Lacepede House on Sea STUNNING SUMMER BEACH Seafood - Wine - Dolphins House 4th night free Or Balcony Suite. $80 plus, dble 6th & 7th night free. Discount meals. Conds off-peak. Kingston near Robe. T: 8338 2316 Messages: 0402 922 445 a/h

FOR RENT: f.f. private apartment in Glenelg for Xmas holiday or weekend rental. Heated pool, spa, steam-room, sauna, gym etc. Plasma TV, 100m to beach. T: 8376 3747 or 0403 606 052

FOR RENT: BLACK POINT, YORKE PENINSULA: Absolute beachfront, 3BRs, sleeps 6-8, available incl. school holidays & L/Weekends. T: 0428 780684 or T: (o8) 8449 8626

SAIT Conveyancers We offer AEU members: • Free advice on real estate queries. • 25% off the Statutory or Land Brokers Society recommended fee structure.

20 & 21 October 2008 Royal on the Park, Cnr Alice/Albert Streets, Brisbane

• Expert and experienced professional work

The focus at this year's National Conference in Brisbane will be on building bridges between parents, schools and their community.

with Mortgages, Transfers, Strata Plan and Plan of Division Lodgments, Caveats, Discharges of Mortgages – indeed, all facets of conveyancing work.

The Conference will explore aspects of effective and productive partnerships, and provide advice and workshops on how to make it all happen in the context of each school community.

If you are buying or selling or are involved in any real estate matter, either through a land agent or privately, consult us.

Discussion will address questions like: what do parents students and teachers want from our schools? Do our curricula meet those needs? How do our shared community values align with those outcomes? This annual event will again bring together key education administrators, principals, teachers and parents – from both public and private sectors – with researchers, psychologists, media and business. This year we will present and discuss new research, provide advice and workable ideas that busy parents and teachers can jointly put into action in their own school community.

Contact Anne Walker or Simon Willcox

For more details and registration:

Phone: (08) 8410 6788 Fax: (08) 8410 6799 Located at SATISFAC •151 South Terrace • Adelaide SA 5000

http://www.acsso.org.au

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N OT I CE B OA R D CANVAS Manufacture and Repairs: A-Grade Canvas: All canvas and general repairs. For a free measure and quote contact: M: 0413 738 008

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WORKSHOP: Stress management, personal development and learning difficulties: Brain Gym- an introductory workshop. Movements to ‘switch on’ the brain. T/fax: 08 8768 2537 E: gibbons@seol.net.au

RESOURCES NEEDED: Unwanted literacy and numeracy resources for use in small village R- 9 schools in Bougainville. Please contact: Ian Russell E: ir211057@bigpond.net.au

Your China Specialist Global Tours

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www.globaltours.net.au 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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