Huonville High School took the Tassie Gonski campaign global recently on a trip to Vietnam.
Pam Lane, Assistant Principal, and Nic Smith, Pathway Planning Officer, have just returned from Vietnam with 22 Huonville High students (see pics above) where one of their main projects was to build a house for a family in the Mekong Delta. The students also assisted at an orphanage for children with disabilities, just out of Saigon, and helped with teaching English to street kids in Siem Reap.
Closer to home, Branch President Terry Polglase appeared at a Senate Select Committee Hearing on School Funding (Gonski) in Hobart and tabled the AEU’s Gonski pledge as signed by Will Hodgman — read the full Hodgman pledge here on our website
Terry explained to Senators the key commitments made by Will Hodgman as part of the pledge – such as funding the state’s share of the full six years of Gonski. Mr Hodgman reiterated his commitment, telling journalists he stood by his pre-election pledge on Gonski.
Another key commitment of Mr Hodgman’s is to pursue the Federal Government over Gonski at COAG. We have written to Mr Hodgman seeking an acknowledgement that he will be pushing the Federal Government to fund its share of the full six years at this meeting.
We have asked to meet with Mr Hodgman to discuss his COAG plan on Gonski and how our shared goals might be publicly progressed in the lead-up to the meeting on May 2. Prime Minister Tony Abbott needs to commit to funding Gonski beyond four years when he releases the federal budget in mid-May. We need to keep the pressure on state and federal politicians to make sure that happens. If you haven’t yet registered go to igiveagonski.com.au
The AEU has met with the new Minister for Education and Training, Jeremy Rockliff, and the Department of Education senior officials to express our anger and disappointment at the decision not to pay TAs for Easter public holidays that fall within the term break.
We are exploring all avenues possible to address this outrageous situation.
The situation of TAs not being paid for Easter Monday and Tuesday has arisen because of the move, by the previous state government, to a four-term year (a move that the AEU vigorously opposed) that resulted in those two days being incorporated into the term holiday period.
Thank you to members who have already contacted Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff to express their concerns at this situation. We encourage all AEU members, including principals, teachers and other support staff to keep calling and emailing Mr Rockliff to ensure that the issue is high on his agenda.
If there are non-union members in your workplace who also feel strongly on this issue, encourage them to get involved and join the AEU — download a form from our website http://www.aeutas.org.au/
In the last round of enterprise bargaining, all sectors of the membership told us that work overload was a critical issue and that it was impacting not only on health but on people’s ability to do their job to the highest levels.
In the DoE teachers’ agreement, one of the outcomes achieved by the AEU was the establishment of a Workload Steering Committee. The first meeting of this group is on April 16th. The key areas we will be seeking to address are reporting requirements, non-core duties being undertaken by teachers and looking at different ways that existing tasks can be done that are less time intensive. Workload issues vary across the sectors and we have had much data supplied to us by members to rely upon.
We would also like to engage members, who are interested in workload issues in this process. We will be establishing Regional Activist Committees to provide us with guidance. If you would like to contribute and be involved, please email State Manager Roz Madsen rozm@aeutas.org.au
Another leave reserve matter from the DoE Teacher negotiations was the right to review the existing Special Allowance provision. It is our view that the Allowance needs to be extended to acknowledge the additional skills, knowledge and responsibility of those Principals and/or Teachers in charge of workplaces such as District High Schools, multi-campus settings and other such workplaces. A short survey will be sent to members in identified workplaces seeking your input on a range of questions. Your feedback will assist us in developing a strong argument to extend the current arrangement. We appreciate your support. Further queries can be directed to State Manager Roz Madsen rozm@aeutas.org.au
Now is the time to have your voice heard on issues that affect you.
All non–teaching Support Staff members, and those with an interest in taking on a leadership role, are encouraged to get active and involved in the AEU.
There is an opportunity to participate in three regional committees of the new Support Staff Sector which forms part of the wider AEU Branch Council.
The Southern committee has two vacancies; the North West has four vacancies and North has six vacancies. A Statewide teleconference/meeting will be held on Monday 5 May at 3.45pm.
If you are a non-teaching member and are interested in a leadership role within the Support Staff Sector and want more information contact Support Staff President Mandy Jackson at mandy.jackson@education.tas.gov.au or Cate Davey at cated@aeutas.org.au
The AEU Leaders Convention (formerly known as the Reps’ Conference) is in Hobart on May 22 and 23 and boasts a stellar line-up of speakers from around Australia.
The theme is Building Capacity and the program of events and special guests means the event is shaping up to be the best yet!
If you’re a Rep, make sure you have it marked in your diary and that you register now! Download the registration form from our website Services & Info > Training and events
Speakers will include:
• Angelo Gavrielatos, AEU Federal President
• Kevin Bates, President of the QTU
• Michael Crosby, Federal President of United Voice
• Kristyn Crossfield, Educator extraordinaire from the ACTU Organising Centre.
We also hope to be joined by Tasmania’s new Minister for Education and Training, Jeremy Rockliff.
The Conference also includes the annual AEU Awards, a great dinner on the Thursday evening and the chance to catch-up with like-minded Leaders/Reps from across the state and in all sectors.
Whether you’re a new or experienced Rep, this will be an event not to be missed! The Convention will be at the AEU Conference Centre in Hobart, at 32 Patrick Street. Your travel and accommodation costs will be covered. Paid relief is available for K-12 teachers and Support Staff (excludes TAFE). Please contact amandaw@aeutas.org.au for further details
Download the registration form from our website Services & Info > Training and events and return to us by 14 May 2014. Register early as no late applications will be accepted.
There will be two five-day courses held in Launceston/Devonport in August and September which are primarily designed for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) however it is an excellent introduction to OHS for any interested person.
The course gives participants the knowledge & skills to meet the challenges of being an HSR or actively participating in the improvement of work health and safety.
Visit the Unions Tasmania website’s Training page for course dates, costs and how to register.
The AEU is extending an invitation to all Southern based Support Staff (including TA’s, library techs, lab techs, social workers, SLP’s, Home School Liaison Officers, Aboriginal Education Officers etc.) to attend a forum in Hobart to find out more about what the AEU – the union for education workers – is doing.
We will also be able to provide an update on the Easter public holiday issue; your Agreement rights and TOIL; the new Specialised Health Procedures Allowance and exciting new PD workshops. Tell your Support Staff co-workers and bring them along, non-members are welcome.
The meeting details are:
• AEU Office, 32 Patrick Street, North Hobart
• Thursday 17 April from 1.30pm
If you would like to attend please RSVP by Wednesday 16 April to Amanda Walker at amandaw@aeutas.org.au or call 6234 9500.
AEU member and teacher John Brennan wanted to share his story of success in exercising his rights to an Award entitlement for flexible working hours. Read on…
I initially applied to my Education Team Leader for approval to work on a flexi-time like roster, which was refused, as was my appeal to our Business Centre Manager. I then applied for a variation to my working hours to suit my family commitments, and also had this declined by both managers because I requested permission to work two 8.25 hour days and two shorter ones. The reason given was that “HR don't like you to work more than 8 hours in a day”. I contacted the union, who intervened on my behalf, and then my request was approved. Flexibility should be a right, and if it's unfairly denied it's nice to know the AEU is there to fight for you!
Rep Warren McDonough at Exeter High School made sure colleagues didn’t forget about their recent pay rise and who to thank! It was of course AEU members campaigning together during last year’s enterprise bargaining that won such a great outcome on pay and conditions and everyone deserves a pat on the back for that!
President Terry Polglase and State Manager Roz Madsen had their first introductory meeting with the new Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff, who is also Deputy Premier, earlier this week. The meeting was very cordial and productive and a range of education issues were touched upon. Regular meetings between the AEU and Mr Rockliff have been scheduled to discuss issues in depth and we will report back outcomes from those meetings as and when appropriate.
Prime Minister, and Minister for Women, Tony Abbott has still not announced what his intentions are in relation to the Federal Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme.
Currently the entitlement Tasmanian public sector employees have is 12 weeks’ paid leave and this will be increased to 14 weeks paid leave in all new public sector agreements, as a result of unions negotiating the improvement. However, it has not yet been implemented because the Federal Government has not finalized details of its PPL. It is believed a decision will be made before 1 July.
Your union’s Branch Council, Executive and staff reviewed the organisation’s strategic plan earlier in the year. The purpose was to ensure our priorities and focus areas were still appropriate for the environment that we are operating in.
The five priority areas are as follows:
• Develop involved, informed, active and representative members
• Retain and increase our membership density
• Improve and protect members’ pay, conditions and wellbeing
• To be a financially strong and accountable organisation
• Advance public education and the profile of public educators
Visit the About Us page of our website to download a copy of the strategic plan 2012-2014
AEU Tasmanian Branch is calling for expressions of interest for the Acting Officer Register.
The program is an opportunity to participate in the AEU as an employee and gain further skills and knowledge.
The program also develops a pool of skilled members that we can draw upon when existing union officers are on extended leave or we need to increase our capacity during particularly busy periods, such as during campaigns.
Applications are held on a register until a vacancy arises.
Any AEU member can apply and applications will be judged by a selection panel against the following key criteria:
• the knowledge and skills of interested members
• the degree of involvement of members at various levels in the AEU (i.e. Workplace Representative, Branch Councillor, Committee Member, Executive Member)
We aim to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Acting Officer vacancies are filled by women and we seek to minimise the cost to the union of running the program.
Please send your expression of interest, addressing key criteria above and reasons for wanting to be involved in the program, to Roz Madsen, State Manager Rozm@aeutas.org.au by Thursday 17 April 2014.
As a valued member of AEU Tasmanian Branch we understand that your health and well-being are important. Which is why we’re pleased to bring you this very special offer from Teachers Health Fund.
Join before 30 April 2014 and enjoy one month's FREE health cover plus, claim straight away on most Extras services* *Conditions apply
What are you waiting for? Click here for more information or call 1300 728 288 (Monday ¬– Thursday, 8am – 8pm, Friday 8am – 6pm and Saturday, 8.30am – 12.30pm).
Applications for the Rosemary Richardson $10,000 Scholarship are now open to all AEU female members. This scholarship provides an opportunity for women to expand their union skills and experience at a state/territory/national/international level. Your proposal could include a work shadowing/mentoring program, research or study experience, formal or informal training/conference or design and implementation of a discrete project.
Applications close Friday 25 April 2014.
For more information and to download an application form visit the Women’s Focus page of our website under Your Patch > Women’s Focus
Support the Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA Raffle and stand with workers around the world striving for justice and safe and decent work.
Don't miss out on your chance to win an $8,000 travel voucher or a great Gazelle commuter bike valued at $1,499. Tickets only $2. Book sellers’ prizes also available.
Here’s a tip from a member about how to have a good weekend!
The proliferation of smart phones and other mobile devices has made it far easier for work-related communications to intrude into our personal lives, and although this may be helpful at times, many would be surprised at just how much time they actually spend reading this material even if they don’t reply.
There is no requirement to read Departmental communications out of hours, let alone reply to them. Once you’ve gone home with plans for your own private time, you should be free to follow these through without any pressure, real or perceived, to fit in other tasks desired by your managers.
To assist in protecting your private time, it is strongly recommended that you set the out of office reply in Microsoft Outlook to advise others of your non-availability to deal with their DoE messages from whatever time you deem appropriate. Decide which hours you are prepared to set aside for off-site work and protect the rest as personal and family time.
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