From the General Secretary
Appreciating the public service By Mary Franklyn General Secretary
The Public Good
One of the few positives to be taken from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the higher regard for public servants such as teachers, nurses and police, whose dedication to duty has been key in helping contain the virus and keep life as normal as possible. It is appropriate timing therefore for the announcement of a UnionsWA campaign – The Public Good, which seeks to further educate the community about the vital role public servants play in their lives. The long-standing campaign will also hold governments accountable between election cycles. The McGowan Government has been far from perfect when it comes to the public sector – 3,000 redundancies and a wage cap of $1,000 being the most obvious examples, as well as some misguided cuts to education. Pre-COVID there were signs of a welcome change of course, especially in the area of TAFE, where fee cuts the SSTUWA had long campaigned for were being introduced. We also saw some important services brought back under government control, promises on not privatising other industries were honoured and a program that saw casual and contract staff, including those within TAFE, converted to permanency. Behind those who work in wards, on the streets or in classrooms there are many more public servants who make their jobs possible, whether it be education assistants, administrative staff, those working in procurement, payroll or other support services. We need the public to recognise how important that work is for The Public Good. This will be crucial in avoiding the appalling decisions seen in New South Wales and Queensland to freeze public sector wages. In WA we need a sensible plan for sustainable investment to rebuild the state’s economy. Read more on page 8.
GA 2019
April went into a prize draw. We gained 1,260 members in that time. A list of the winners is on page 3. Thank you to all who participated. The more members we have, the louder our voice.
While 85 per cent of members supported the deal nearly all did so with considerable reservations because of the $1,000 cap.
COVID-19
The $1,000 pay cap was the most commonly commented on aspect of the General Agreement 2019 offer we put out to members for vote.
Some member comments suggested there is a need to better explain the impact of industrial laws that constrain union action in response to governments capping wages or even freezing salary increases. Members have recognised the need for restraint in the public sector, but felt singled out as carrying the debt can, with rises lower than the rate of inflation leaving them worse off in real terms. Like the police and nurses before them, teachers have reluctantly accepted this salary suppression. They won’t do so for much longer. The SSTUWA did secure a number of significant wins for members including an additional 30 minutes of primary DOTT time, flexibility around short leave and greater support for primary and secondary curriculum planning. The creation of Collegiate Principal positions, an induction program for new principals and a commitment to increased movement between schools for school leaders will all greatly assist leaders. As one set of negotiations end the next phase will be upon us. This time issues around salary will a major focus. Members will be looking for acknowledgment of their sacrifices in recent years and their efforts in keeping public schools open throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
We’ve Got You Covered
In January the union began its We’ve Got You Covered campaign to raise member numbers. Every member who joined us between then and the end of
Thank you to all members who completed our COVID-19 workplace surveys. The information gathered allowed us to lobby successfully for proper cleaning in schools, the provision of hand sanitiser and soap, the suspension of large gatherings such as staff meetings and the introduction of testing across selected schools as a priority. We successfully assisted many members who were at high risk and took many calls and emails from those angered at the initial lack of concern for and acknowledgment of the safety fears of teachers. The facts provided through a series of surveys were crucial in getting those issues addressed. The union also used the results to lobby for a greater recruitment of casual and relief staff to fill obvious gaps in the system and reduce workload on those being asked to teach in more than one way.
Vale
I would like to note the passing of four members over this last year. Our profession loses those who have contributed to public education in schools and TAFE and hundreds of students. I wanted to specifically pay respect to four of our members who show the diversity of members’ time and work: Rae White, Brookton District High School principal and a member for 46 years passed away late last year; Victor Dale, North Metro TAFE Balga member; Andrew Butcher, who joined in 1981, a teacher who spent much time in the North West and was a long serving State Council delegate, and Toby Chapman, who joined in 2017 from Carnarvon School of the Air. Our condolences to their family, friends and colleagues. Western Teacher June 2020
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