Agenda: June 2024 State Council Conference

State Council Conference

Friday & Saturday, 14-15 June 2024

We are a strong, independent, democratic union of public educators protecting and improving our industrial and professional rights and promoting quality public education for all.

Our focus areas:

Stand Up for Your Rights Protect Education for the Common Good

Keep Schools Safe Sanctuaries of Learning

Be Proud of Your Profession

Defend and Extend Your Collective Bargaining Rights

Don’t Let Politicians Interfere in the Classroom

On Education & Democracy

The book On Education & Democracy (2019) by Susan Hopgood and Fred van Leeuwen contains 25 lessons from the teaching profession for educators. These six focus areas were identified by the SSTUWA as key organisational directions following decisions from November State Council Conference 2019.

From the President

At our amazing stop work event on 23 April there was a poster which depicted a teacher’s work as the punishment of Sisyphus – rolling a boulder uphill for eternity. It raised a few nervous laughs but perhaps felt all too real.

In 2024 though we have perhaps nudged the boulder further than we might have hoped.

Over the coming two days we will discuss the Agreement in Principle – something senior officers and staff have been doing so frequently over the past month.

As we have stated in many of those meetings, while no offer is ever perfect, the 2023 General Agreement (Schools) may well deliver steps forward that we could not have anticipated even a few months ago. When we launched Facing the Facts in November last year, if someone had stepped forward and said you will secure concessions on no less than 19 of the core recommendations by June State Council, I would, have laughed at their optimism.

Nevertheless, that is the case – we are making serious progress on key workload and system issues that will change public school teaching for the better long into the future. Our TAFE committee too has secured significant gains in their own negotiations, which are still in progress.

On the funding front we have seen a preliminary national schools resourcing agreement that will take Western Australia from 91 per cent of minimum funding to 96 per cent. I am sure we will remind the Minister later today that we still want the extra four per cent. He in turn may point to other elements such as the recent state budget pledge of $224.3 million to support public school students who have a diagnosed disability or additional learning needs.

It will, I am sure be a respectful but spirited debate.

I think you as elected delegates have much to be proud of as we gather here in June. Of course, there is still much to be done. We at the SSTUWA have started the process of rolling back years of salary regression and funding shortfalls.

Those gaps cannot be closed in one set of agreements. We are though, on the way – and that is thanks to you and your fellow members.

Matt Jarman President, SSTUWA

The team

Senior officers

Matt Jarman President

Executive

Bruce Banyard

Natalie Blewitt

Donna Bridge

Kate Bunney

Geoff Holt

Industrial staff

Kevlynn Annandale ETC Coordinator

Janette Bedwell Women's Contact Officer

Cherry Bogunovich ETC Training Officer, Organiser Schools

Pat Byrne Contracts Officer

Liz Carbone Legal Services Advocate

Christina Chabros Growth Team Officer

Tony Daley Member Assist Intern

Ian Daw Organiser Schools

Marina Denn Member Assist Officer

Sally Dennis Organiser Schools

Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President

Sharmila Nagar Vice President

Mary Franklyn General Secretary

Tom James

Matt Jarman

Marie Klein

Jan Lau

Kathryn Mannion

Sharmila Nagar

Heather Riseberry

Lincoln Rose

Samantha Schofield

Marie-Louise Earle-Sadler Organiser Schools

John Elliman Member Assist Industrial Officer

Lindsay Hale School Leaders Consultant

Frank Herzog Member Assist Coordinator, Organiser Schools Kimberley

Chloe Hosking Growth Team Coordinator

Joe Isaia Organiser Schools

Ramona Mitussis Organiser TAFE

Sarah Murray Schools – Recruitment Project Officer

Helen Olivieri Legal Services Case Manager

Antony Pearson WHS Organiser

Administrative staff

Leeane Alfano

Toni Bass

Robyn Bloxham

Jenny Case

Gabrielle Clark

Karen Devey

Michelle Devine

Julie Edmiston

Bob Figg

Carole Franklin

Hayley Fretwell

Diane Fry

Jessica Greenwood

Florecil Harris

Beverley Harrison

Heather Henry

Vijitha Kalubowila

Cecilia Kevan

Minh Lam

Emilly Larsen

Oswald Mandl

Sarah Maraglio

Shaun Mattheus

Amelia Murray

Matthew Penn

Dawn Reeves

Donna Samson

Stacey Scorer

Anne Tumak

Sharon Vertigan

Pauline Winrow

Melissa Rinaldi School Leaders Organiser

Mario Schmidt Assistant Legal Services Coordinator, Legal Services Case Manager

Nicola Sorrell Growth Team Project Officer

Natalie Swinbourn Coordinator, Schools Organiser Team

John Theodorsen Legal Services Consultant

Vicki Turner Organiser Schools

Jessica Wormuth Member Assist Coordinator

Sam Yates Campaign Project Officer

Simona Zachariassen Legal Services Case Manager

Michelle Sherwin

Sheryl Spurway

Noeleen Stewart

Danielle Stitfall

Daniela Van Lendt

Heather Van Lendt

Helen Warnock

2024 union committees

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Education

Susanne Bowles

Kayla Chester

Johnnie Hillier

Candice Matthews

Gemma McLean

Maurice Palmer

Nikki Patterson

Cedric Taylor

* Sharmila Nagar

^ Simona Zachariassen

Appointments

Bruce Banyard

Natalie Blewitt

Matt Jarman

Marie Klein

Jan Lau

Kathy Mannion

Sharmila Nagar

Pauline Winrow

Sharon Vertigan

Disputes Resolution

Sarah Dinan

Jessica Power

Early Childhood Education

Meg Adamson

Janine Barndon

Callan Hegarty

Penelope Irvine

Jessica Jenkin

Justine Moorman

Stacey Scorer

Rebecca Tinley

Sharon Vertigan

Pam Westphal

* Natalie Blewitt

^ Cherry Bogunovich

Education

Jessica Power

* Sharmila Nagar

Emergency

Bruce Banyard

Natalie Blewitt

Matt Jarman

Kathy Mannion

Sharmila Nagar

Finance

Bruce Banyard (Executive representative)

Natalie Blewitt

Ian Daw (Staff representative)

Mary Franklyn

Diane Fry

Matt Jarman

Sharmila Nagar

Frank Sciarrone (Financial advisor)

Helen Warnock

Legal

Natalie Blewitt

Liz Carbone

Mary Franklyn

Matt Jarman

Sharmila Nagar

Mario Schmidt

John Theodorsen

LGBTIQ

Nike Browning

Renee Chapple

Jessica Gibbons

Alexis Goff

Kai Griffiths

Marie Klein

Jamie Petrides

Nygell Topp

Nicholas Vuckovic

V Williamson

* Sharmila Nagar

New Educators

Ellie Aldred

Alia Brownhill

Kiany Carpenter

Adam Falla

Isabelle Gillians

Simon Joachim

Jade Lomas

Hannah Lukowiak-Gray

Sarah Roberts

Fiona Shannon Elkins

Nikhil Sharma

Leah Slater

Curtis White

* Natalie Blewitt

^ Chloe Hosking

Rules Review

Matt Jarman

Mary Franklyn

Sharmila Nagar

Pauline Winrow

School Leaders

Chris Brackenreg

Cynthia Geiles

Rhonda George-Kennedy

Belinda Hall

Christian Louis

Geoffrey MacNicol

James Milne

Melanie Moore

Peter O’Neill

Denise Shillinglaw

Christie Simpson

Jacqueline Varris

Pauline Winrow

Julie Woodhouse

* Matt Jarman

^ Melissa Rinaldi

TAFE

Wayne Aspden SMT Rockingham Trade

Daniel Badullovich CRT Geraldton

Patricia Burke NMT Leederville

Vincent Catalano NMT 30 Aberdeen

Rhonda Coffey NRT Pundulmurra

Caroline Constant NRT Kununurra

Bradley Davy NRT Karratha

Jamie D'Emden NMT East Perth

Mark England NMT 19 Aberdeen

Matthew Highman SMT Armadale

Glen Jones NMT Midland

Vikki Lucas SMT Murdoch

James Paxman CRT Northam

Darren Pearce NMT Clarkson

Ferguson Roper SMT Bentley

Andrew Samway SMT Rockingham Non-Trade

Rick Spooner NRT Pundulmurra

Paul Stephenson NMT Balga

Milan Topuzovic SMT Thornlie Non-Trade

Richard Treasure NMT East Perth

Benjamin Watson SMT Thornlie Trade

Grant Welch SMT Maritime

Lucy Wellstead SRT Albany

Craig Wilson NMT 25 Aberdeen

Beverley Worrall NMT Kendrew

Gary Hedger – AEU TAFE representative

* Matt Jarman

^ Ramona Mitussis

TAFE Committee (proxy)

Kevin Amos CRT Geraldton

Desmond Brooks SRT Bunbury

Mark Buttsworth NMT Kendrew

Peter Codalonga SMT Thornlie Trade

Lincoln Cook SRT Albany

Mick Daintith CRT Northam

Owen Gale NRT Pundulmurra

Chris Quedley NMT Balga

Vanessa Rooney NMT 25 Aberdeen

Gary Russell SMT Maritime

Blake Williams SMT Rockingham Non-Trade

Natalia Yan SMT Thornlie Non-Trade

UnionsWA Council Delegates

Natalie Blewitt

Elizabeth Carbone

Lydia Cavallaro

Ian Daw

Sally Dennis

Sarah Dinan

Mary Franklyn

Matt Jarman

Sharmila Nagar

Antony Pearson

Jessica Power

Natalie Swinbourn

Women’s

Renee Chapple

Louise Colliver

Dene Cranwell

Sarah Dinan

Ruth Ellis

Isabelle Gillians

Jessica Jenkin

Meredith Kinsella

Marie Klein

Kirsty Laverty

Rebecca McLennan

Rebecca Mueller

Denise Shillinglaw

Jacqueline Varris

Sharon Vertigan

* Sharmila Nagar

^ Janette Bedwell

* Senior officer with portfolio responsibility

^ Organiser with portfolio responsibility

The SSTUWA president, Matt Jarman, is also an ex-officio member of every SSTUWA member committee.

2024 SSTUWA State Council delegation

Senior officers

Matt Jarman President

Executive

Bruce Banyard

Natalie Blewitt

Donna Bridge

Kate Bunney

Geoff Holt

Natalie Blewitt

Senior Vice President

Sharmila Nagar Vice President

Mary Franklyn General Secretary

Tom James

Matt Jarman

Marie Klein

Jan Lau

Kathryn Mannion

District delegates

District 1: Belmont

Entitlement – 7

Jason Lowry

District 2: Bunbury

Entitlement – 9

Craig Bourne

Reneé Chapple

Michael Harvey

James Keillor

Nghia Nguyen

Paul David Reynolds

Natasha Schmitt

District 3: Butler

Entitlement – 9

Wesley Buzza

Sarah Dinan

Ana Large

Matthew Stelov

Kristie Williams

Beverley Worrall

District 4: Fremantle

Entitlement – 7

Lydia Cavallaro

Ruth Ellis

Jade Elvin

Sharmila Nagar

Heather Riseberry

Lincoln Rose

Samantha Schofield

District 5: Goldfields

Entitlement – 7

Hannah Kyriakacis

Geoffrey MacNicol

Jasmine Porteous

Nicola Rose

Joey Stuart

Jo Talbot

District 6: Hillarys

Entitlement – 11

Rory James Critchley

Louise Loosen

Geoff Miller

Melanie Moore

Tania Lee Muller

Maurice Palmer

Esther Rose

Sean Vagg

District 7: Jandakot

Entitlement – 10

Louise Colliver

Angela Di Noto

Anna Di Noto

Simon Joachim

Sebastian Liffers

Stacey Scorer

Anne Tumak

Sharon Vertigan

Pauline Winrow

District 8: Kalamunda

Entitlement – 9

Claire Eden

Jason Evans

Ronnie Naidoo

Leah Slater

Reece Young

Sharon Bergman

Linda Valdrighi

District 9: KimberleyPilbara

Entitlement – 11

Danielle Boyd

Orin Casey

Sheena Chaplin

Trisha Chapman

Perin Faulkner

Owen Gale

Heather Gerrard

Chalice Kelly

Kate Murrihy

Sue Smith

Jodie Thompson

District 10: Maylands Entitlement – 7

J Keenan Chandler

Madeline McFee

Dale Nixon

Helene Offer

Melissa Peden

Carol Salt

Heidie Vanzetti

District 11: Moore Entitlement – 9

Luke Aubrey

Tristan Broomhall

Grant Dodd

Jen Heath

Kristine Cox

Renee Skehan

Lesley Stace

Brenda Wann

District 12: Morley Entitlement – 7

Stephanie Hughes

District 13: Murray Entitlement – 7

Lesley Griffiths

Lori Anders

Ric Holster

District 14: Perth Entitlement – 9

Nike Browning

Pat Burke

Rick McMahon

Peter George O'Neill

Sam Testa

District 15: Riverton Entitlement – 9

Bruce Cameron

Bradley Carlé

Jessica Jenkin

Rachel Kealley

Dillon Mason

District 16: Rockingham Entitlement – 14

Sarah Bradley

Jason Michael D'Argent

Gary Davies

Gary Hedger

Aleesha McKenna-Green

Paul Otto

Michelle Pilkington

Graham Rees

Andrew Samway

Christie Simpson

Donna Sparke

Clare Topperwien

Vanessa Williamson

District 17: Scarborough Entitlement – 6

Allan Bertram

Chloe Bravos

Ramona Carroll

Andrew Dawson

Cameron Dean

Judi Harrison-Ellis

District 18: Stirling Entitlement – 7

Rob Berwick

Ken Cornwell

Graham Jaeckel

Zac Matthews

Virginia Mercer

Alison Quinn

Nick Virgona

District 19: Swan Entitlement – 9

Kayla Chester

Shaaron Cullen

Brendon Nutt

Chris Spencer

Sandra Szopski

District 20: Victoria

Park Entitlement – 7

Kai Griffiths

Callan Hegarty

Paul Knapton

Gordon Traynor

Barbara Van Trigt

Total number of 2024 State Council delegates: 138

Total number of eligible 2024 State Council delegates: 190

General procedures

Venue

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre: 21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA

Car parking options

Parking options are limited, and public transport is recommended. Nearby paid car parks fill up quicklydelegates are advised to arrive early if they require parking.

Nearby paid parking: City of Perth operates paid parking located underneath the Convention Centre. Visit cityofperthparking.com.au for more information. Wilson Parking is also in the vicinity; find out more at wilsonparking.com.au

Sessions

Day 1 – Friday 14 June 2024

Morning: 8.15am to 12.30pm

Lunch: 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Afternoon: 1.30pm to 5pm

Day 2 – Saturday 15 June 2024

Morning: 8.15am to noon

Lunch: noon to 1pm

Afternoon: 1pm to 5pm

Morning tea/afternoon tea

Delegates have access to tea and coffee for the duration of State Council Conference.

State Council Conference drinks

Friday 14 June, 5-6pm, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

State Council Conference dinner

Friday 14 June, 6.30-8.30pm, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Post State Council Conference drinks

Saturday 15 June, conclusion of State Council Conference, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Delegates are requested to hold discussions outside the conference room to ensure that debate can be heard.

Agenda

Executive has appointed a State Council Agenda Committee based on Conference Decision 46 of 1986. The Agenda Committee will deal with agenda matters raised at State Council. State Council delegates are directed to suggest changes to the agenda to committee members by: 8.30am on Friday 12.45pm on Friday 8.30am on Saturday

General procedure

In the event of a division, each row will appoint two members in the row or industrial staff will act as tellers. When a division is called, all delegates in favour of the motion will stand, until the standing delegates in each row have been counted. This procedure will be followed by delegates against the motion standing until they have been counted by the appointed tellers. The tellers will communicate the numbers to the chairperson in order that the aggregates for and against the motion can be expressed to State Council.

Unless the meeting determines otherwise, speakers will be limited to the following times:

(i) The proposer of a motion: five minutes for initial speech and three minutes for reply.

(ii) The seconder of a motion and the proposer of an amendment, and all other speakers: three minutes.

The chairperson may refuse to accept for submission to the meeting any motion or amendment, which has not been submitted in writing to the chairperson, with the names of the proposer and seconder attached.

No member shall speak twice on the same question unless by permission of the meeting and/or the chairperson.

State Council delegates

Delegates to State Council must be financial members and only financial members will be entitled to nominate as delegates to State Council.

A financial member is defined as a member who has fully paid the account for membership fees.

The State Council is divided into 20 districts. TAFE members are included in these districts and are eligible to nominate and be elected as delegates to State Council.

Once nominations are closed and elections held (if necessary) the resultant list becomes the official roll for delegates and alternate delegates.

State Council delegates’ expenses

Country delegates

Union rules permit the reimbursement to delegates from outside the metropolitan area of expenses actually incurred to a sum equivalent to a first class rail fare or public transport fare, whichever is the least. In the case of duly accredited delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, airfares for travel on a normal scheduled air service may be refunded.

Where delegates use their own vehicles, they may claim expenses not exceeding the public transport fare, or in the case of duly accredited delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, not exceeding airfares, so long as such claim is accompanied by receipts for petrol and oil purchased.

Accommodation: Your allowance is now pre-paid

Delegates travelling more than 50km to attend State Council may claim accommodation expenses not exceeding public service rates for the number of days each delegate must be in Perth to attend the State Council.

Delegates must claim their accommodation costs for State Council prior to the event by completing the Booking and Claim Form for flights and accommodation. Funds will be paid directly to the delegate. Delegates may book accommodation at any venue they wish and are responsible for paying their accommodation fees directly to the provider.

Executive has resolved that State Council expenses be paid on the basis of two nights’ accommodation only, unless the driving distance is further than 500kms for the return trip or the normal mode of transport from the area concerned is by plane and plane schedules do not permit the delegate concerned to fit into the two nights’ accommodation schedule.

Metropolitan delegates

Delegates attending State Council from within the metropolitan area may claim expenses at the rate of $20 per session, if they attend all sittings on the day for which expenses are claimed.

Pro rata reimbursement

Travelling, accommodation and metropolitan expenses referred to above will only be paid pro rata to the number of sittings attended by the delegate submitting the claim.

Claim forms

Claim forms will be available at the information desk at State Council or from the union office following State Council. Completed forms may, at the conclusion of State Council, be placed in a box supplied for this purpose, or posted or delivered to the union office.

Childcare

The SSTUWA offers members a choice of payment for childcare:

• The SSTUWA pays the childcare provider, on presentation of a tax invoice, after the member’s attendance at the designated meeting. or

• The member pays the childcare provider, then submits the union expense claim form with supporting receipt, which is then reimbursed by the SSTUWA.

Contact the SSTUWA Accounts Team for further details: (08) 9210 6000 | accounts@sstuwa.org.au

Distribution of literature

Executive has directed that all literature distributed at State Council be endorsed by the author.

Proxy delegates

In the event that a delegate is unable to attend State Council, the alternate delegate becomes eligible to attend. The rules do not provide for proxy delegates.

Members of the media

Executive has resolved that at any major SSTUWA meeting or State Council, members of the press or other news media be required to be members of their relevant union if they wish to cover the conference or seminar.

Friday 14 June 2024

Session 1

8.15am – 12.30pm

8.15am – 8.50am Registration and tea/coffee

8.50am – 9am Welcome to Country by Freda Ogilvie

9am – 9.30am President’s address by Matt Jarman

9.30am – 10.15am

Keynote speaker: Nicole Calnan Deputy Federal Secretary of the Australian Education Union (AEU) and an APHEDA Board Member

10.15am – 11am Morning tea

11am – 12.30pm State election 2025 workshops

Lunch 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Session 2 1.30pm – 5pm

1.30pm – 2pm Re-registration

2pm – 2.30pm

2.30pm – 3pm

Keynote speaker: Justin Mullaly Senior Vice President Victoria Branch AEU

Keynote speaker: Hon. Dr Tony Buti, MLA Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

3pm – 5pm State Council reports

SC.1 Adoption of standing orders

SC.2 SSTUWA rule amendment

SC.3 International report

SC.4 Education and Training Centre report

SC.5 General Agreement Schools 2021 report

SC.6 State government initiatives report

SC.7 School leaders report

SC.8 New educators report

SC.1 Adoption of standing orders

Unless the meeting decides otherwise, the following rules of debate shall be observed:

(a) Whenever the chairperson rises during a debate any member standing shall resume his/her seat and the chairperson shall be heard without interruption.

(b) When the chairperson considers it necessary to vacate the chair he/she shall ask one of the vice presidents to act as chairperson unless the meeting decides to elect another member as chairperson.

(c) Every member desiring to speak shall stand and address the chair.

(d) When two or more members stand at the same time to speak the chairperson shall call upon the member s/he first observes.

(e) Unless the meeting determines otherwise, speakers shall be limited to the following times:

(i) The proposer of a motion: five minutes for his/her speech and three minutes for his/her reply.

(ii) The seconder of a motion and the proposer of an amendment, and all other speakers: three minutes.

(f) In his/her reply the proposer of a motion shall introduce no new matter. The proposer of an amendment shall have no right of reply.

(g) A member who has seconded a motion without speaking to it, may speak at a later stage of the debate.

(h) Only the mover of a motion shall speak twice on the same question unless by permission of the chairperson and/or meeting.

(i) Any person proceeding to speak a second time on the same question, unless in accordance with these rules, shall be called to order by the chairperson except when explaining a point of his/ her speech which has been misunderstood and without introducing any new matter, or when speaking to a point of order or in answer to a question directed to him/her through the chair. Such answer shall contain no new matter.

(j) Should the mover of a motion speak to an amendment, he/she shall lose his/her right of reply.

(k) A person who has spoken to a motion may make one speech on each of any subsequent amendments to the motion, but he/she shall not be allowed to move any such amendment.

(l) A motion having been proposed, it may be amended by leaving out, substituting or adding words. During the debate following the first amendment, it shall be competent for delegates to move or second further amendments. A delegate who has moved, seconded or spoken on an original motion or amendment shall not move or second an amendment to it, but may speak on an amendment subsequently moved and seconded by other delegates. Once the mover has replied, the question shall be submitted to the vote, the amendments being put to the State Council in the order of their submission.

(m) The chairperson may refuse to accept any motion or amendment which has not been submitted to him/her in writing, with the names of the proposer and seconder.

(n) When a point of order is raised any person speaking at the time shall resume his/her seat and no discussion other than the point of order shall be held until the point of order is disposed of.

(o) The reply of the mover shall conclude a discussion and on no pretence whatsoever shall a member be allowed to speak on a subject after the reply, or to re-open matter by question.

(p) The chairperson may inquire if any member wishes to oppose a motion, and if no opposition is signified he/she may put the question without debate.

(q) Procedural motions

Debate on a matter may be suspended by a motion:

(i) That the meeting be adjourned.

(ii) That debate on the question be adjourned.

(iii) That the meeting proceed to the next item of business provided such a motion is moved and seconded and carried by a simple majority.

Debate on a matter may be closed by a motion “That the question be now put” provided such a motion is moved and is carried by at least a two-thirds majority. Such a motion shall be put without debate, but no speaker shall be interrupted for the purpose of moving such a motion, nor shall it invalidate the right of reply of the mover of the substantive motion. Such a motion shall not be moved by a person who has spoken to the motion.

Debate on a matter will be suspended whenever a member calls for a quorum.

(r) Every motion shall be put to the vote by a show of hands unless two members call for a division, in which case the meeting shall divide.

(s) If the voting on a motion is equal the President, or the temporary chairperson, shall have a casting vote in addition to his/her deliberative vote.

(t) A member is guilty of a breach of order when a majority vote of members declares that he/she has: used objectionable words and has refused to withdraw them or satisfactorily apologise for them; used offensive words in reference to another member; wilfully disturbed the orderly conduct of the meeting; disobeyed a lawful order from the chair. Should any member be declared guilty of a breach of order the remaining members may, by majority vote, censure that member or suspend him/her from the remainder of the meeting or part thereof.

(u) The chairperson may adjourn a meeting. In such cases the remaining members may elect another chairperson by majority vote and commence a new meeting.

(v) The chairperson shall decide all points of order but any member may move that such ruling be disagreed with. Should such a motion be moved the chairperson shall leave the chair unless he/ she consents to remain on the expressed wish of the majority of members present and voting. The only speakers to such a motion shall be the mover or dissent and the chairperson whose ruling has been disagreed with. There shall be no right of reply. When the motion has been decided, withdrawn or referred, the chairperson whose ruling was disputed, may resume the chair. Effect shall be given to any decision reached on the point of order by a majority of the meeting.

(w) These standing orders may be suspended at any time by a majority vote of members present.

(x) By majority vote State Council may decide to go into committee. These standing orders shall remain in force unless a majority of members decides to suspend them but no press record of the proceedings shall be made until State Council resumes its open sitting.

(y) A decision of the meeting may be re-considered on the vote of a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.

These standing orders shall apply to meetings of both Executive and State Council.

Recommendation:

1. That the standing orders be adopted.

SC.2 SSTUWA rule amendment

Casual vacancies

Following the meeting of the AEUWA Branch Council on 19 March, the original proposed rule amendment extending the term of office for Branch Councillors to two years and those dealing with casual vacancies have been registered by Fair Work.

State Council also endorsed a similar change to the term of office for State Council delegates at the November 2023 State Council meeting.

The current rule [23(a)(xv)] provides for casual vacancies as follows:

In the event of a casual or extraordinary vacancy arising in the office of delegate to State Council, the casual vacancy shall be filled by an election in as far as practicable the same mode as is prescribed by these rules for the election of that State Council delegate and any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the State Council delegate he or she is elected to replace.

This rule is now inconsistent with the registered AEUWA Branch rule in relation to casual vacancies, particularly where less than half the term of office remains following a vacancy having arisen.

It is therefore necessary that the SSTUWA Rules be amended to reflect the AEUWA Branch rule.

Recommendations:

1. That the senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.2.1 Proposed amendment to Rule 23(a) – State Council:

That Rule 23(a)(xv) be deleted and replaced by the following:

(a) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, where more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by the Returning Officer conducting an election in accordance with these Rules to fill that vacancy. Any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.

(b) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, with less than half of the term of office remaining, shall be filled by the SSTUWA Executive appointing another financial member attached to the District in which the vacancy occurred. The person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.

Existing rule:

23 - State Council

(a) Rules

(i) The governing body of the Union shall be the State Council.

(ii) Subject to any referendum of members, State Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Union and Policy directives issued by State Council shall be adhered to by all members.

(iii) State Council shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Ordinary Executive Members, General Secretary and delegates elected from each District, in accordance with the provisions of this rule and Rule 32- Elections for Office.

(iv) Each district shall be entitled to one delegate to State Council per 100 financial members, or part thereof.

(v) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least 50% of the delegates from each district to State Council shall be women.

(vi) Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (a)(v), above, to be complied with, are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected, and a ballot conducted to fill the remaining vacant position or positions.

(vii) Rule deleted.

(viii) Any financial member may nominate to be a delegate to State Council representing his/her district, provided that such nomination is proposed and seconded by two financial members who are also members of that district.

(ix) Should nominations of delegates to State Council exceed the number of delegates to which the district is entitled, the Returning Officer shall conduct a ballot of all financial members in the district to determine district representation.

To attain gender balance in the district representation the Returning Officer shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, declare the highest polling women candidates elected, to the number of women delegates required under sub-rule (a)(v) of this rule. The remaining positions shall then be declared in the order of election.

(x) In addition to electing district delegates to State Council the members of the district are entitled to elect two alternate delegates. Such alternate delegates in the order in which they were elected, shall represent the district in the absence of one of the delegates subject to notification to the Union Returning Officer.

(xi) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least one of the alternate delegates shall be a woman. The Returning Officer, at the conclusion of any ballot for alternate delegates to State Council shall declare the highest polling female and male candidates elected. For the purposes of sub-rule (a)(x) of this rule, the first alternate delegate shall be the highest polling candidate of the two elected.

(xii) Where no nominations are received from women for an alternate delegate position, nominations shall be re-opened for all financial members to fill the designated position.

(xiii) The election of delegates to State Council shall be held during the first school division term each year, and such delegates shall hold office until their successors are elected during the first school division term of the following year, and shall be eligible for re-election.

(xiv) State Council shall meet at least twice per year as determined by Executive.

(xv) In the event of a casual or extraordinary vacancy arising in the office of delegate to State Council, the casual vacancy shall be filled by an election in as far as practicable the same mode as is prescribed by these rules for the election of that State Council delegate and any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the State Council delegate he or she is elected to replace.

Reason for proposed amendment:

The rule change is necessary to reflect the process for election to Branch Council which occurs in the AEU WA Branch.

Effect of proposed amendment:

23 - State Council

(a) Rules

(i) The governing body of the Union shall be the State Council.

(ii) Subject to any referendum of members, State Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Union and Policy directives issued by State Council shall be adhered to by all members.

(iii) State Council shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Ordinary Executive Members, General Secretary and delegates elected from each District, in accordance with the provisions of this rule and Rule 32- Elections for Office.

(iv) Each district shall be entitled to one delegate to State Council per 100 financial members, or part thereof.

(v) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least 50% of the delegates from each district to State Council shall be women.

(vi) Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (a)(v), above, to be complied with, are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected, and a ballot conducted to fill the remaining vacant position or positions.

(vii) Rule deleted.

(viii) Any financial member may nominate to be a delegate to State Council representing his/her district, provided that such nomination is proposed and seconded by two financial members who are also members of that district.

(ix) Should nominations of delegates to State Council exceed the number of delegates to which the district is entitled, the Returning Officer shall conduct a ballot of all financial members in the district to determine district representation.

To attain gender balance in the district representation the Returning Officer shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, declare the highest polling women candidates elected, to the number of women delegates required under sub-rule (a)(v) of this rule. The remaining positions shall then be declared in the order of election.

(x) In addition to electing district delegates to State Council the members of the district are entitled to elect two alternate delegates. Such alternate delegates in the order in which they were elected, shall represent the district in the absence of one of the delegates subject to notification to the Union Returning Officer.

(xi) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least one of the alternate delegates shall be a woman. The Returning Officer, at the conclusion of any ballot for alternate delegates to State Council shall declare the highest polling female and male candidates elected. For the purposes of sub-rule (a)(x) of this rule, the first alternate delegate shall be the highest polling candidate of the two elected.

(xii) Where no nominations are received from women for an alternate delegate position, nominations shall be re-opened for all financial members to fill the designated position.

(xiii) The election of delegates to State Council shall be held during the first school division term each year, and such delegates shall hold office until their successors are elected during the first school division term of the following year and shall be eligible for re-election.

(xiv) State Council shall meet at least twice per year as determined by Executive.

(xv) (a) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, where more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by the Returning Officer conducting an election in accordance with these Rules to fill that vacancy. Any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.

(b) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, with less than half of the term of office remaining, shall be filled by the SSTUWA Executive appointing another financial member attached to the District in which the vacancy occurred. The person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.

SC.3 International report

In 2023 the SSTUWA International Report painted a bleak picture of what was happening around the world in relation to human and trade union rights. Twelve months on, little has changed. There have been no improvements to the situation in Cambodia, in Myanmar or in Afghanistan, while in Argentina the new government has wound back labour rights and human rights. It met its budget goals by slashing ALL government spending for public services by 50 per cent, irrespective of the consequences for individuals and families.

In Tanzania, the General Secretary of the Tanzanian Teachers’ Union was arrested, tortured and continues to be detained, in clear violation of international labour laws around freedom of association and the right to organise and collectively bargain.

Democracy continues to be under threat in many countries; rather than expanding, it is, in many cases, in retreat despite some governments describing themselves as democratic when, clearly, they are not. It is estimated that, currently, only about one-third of the world’s population lives in a democracy.

Even in countries which see themselves as bastions of democracy, there are concerns. Constant political and media attacks on public institutions have exposed their fragility, making them vulnerable. When this is accompanied by deliberate underfunding of those institutions, at the same time as contracting out to private corporations, as has been the case for decades, there is real risk to representative democracies everywhere.

The AEU Federal Conference in February heard from Olha Chabaniuk, Vice President of the Ukrainian Teachers’ Union and Kateryna Maliuta-Osaulaova, International Secretary, also from the Ukrainian Teachers’ Union, as well as Saed Erzikat, the General Secretary of GUPT, the Palestinian Teachers’ Union.

The speakers described the circumstance under which their members – ordinary teachers like ourselves - are living and the lengths to which they are going to provide some semblance of education and care to the children in their communities, despite the losses they themselves have suffered.

No-one who was present and who heard those speakers will ever forget the messages they conveyed. The conference statement in relation to Gaza and Ukraine was endorsed unanimously and follows.

Peace for Gaza

The AEU remains deeply concerned by the impact of the ongoing and escalating armed conflict in Gaza that continues to cause the loss of human life and injury in both Israel and Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is staggering and we stand in solidarity with the teachers, education support personnel, students and communities in the region.

The AEU reaffirms our commitment to calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the end of hostilities against the people of Gaza, the release of all hostages and the provision of immediate and full humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Further, we reiterate the call from Global Unions for unified action following the ICJ ruling on the Gaza genocide case, and we call on the Australian Government to urge Israel to comply with the ICJ’s Order to take immediate steps to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and facilitate the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. That the Australian Government makes representation to the International Criminal Court prosecutor, the expedition of investigations into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel and Palestinian armed groups: A thorough and independent investigation is crucial to bring perpetrators to justice and prevent future violations.

The AEU condemns any acts of war by any nation or group that attacks civilian targets, including schools and hospitals. The AEU mourns the loss of lives in Palestine and Israel and condemns all violence on civilian populations stemming from the conflict.

We demand that the Australian Government shows leadership internationally and nationally, by calling for an unconditional ceasefire and ensuring the provision of increased humanitarian aid that effectively meets the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and for those displaced from Gaza.

We call on the Australian Government to undertake further urgent diplomacy measures to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and support a two state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in a just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine

Further, we condemn the decision by the Australian Government to suspend funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and assert that this must immediately be reversed with aid funding reinstated and increased. At a time where over two million people in Gaza rely on UNRWA for aid, many of whom are displaced and where access to aid has already become incredibly difficult, the restriction of aid funding results in a heightened risk of severe harm to health and hygiene of the civilian population, particularly amongst women and children.

The AEU calls on the Australian Government to take the lead by contributing generously to international aid programs to urgently and comprehensively rebuild educational facilities and other peaceful infrastructure in the occupied territories, as education is peace.

The AEU also calls on the Australian Government to exercise all avenues of influence and diplomacy to stop the bombing and the ground assault by Israel into Gaza and work for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

Conference encourages Branches and Associated Bodies to consider their own investments and work with associated entities such as superannuation, health funds, banks and credit unions to realise divestment in industries contributing to genocide, war and conflict.

We acknowledge the devastating impact of this conflict on all who work in education in the region. Education facilities have been destroyed or damaged, and remain closed, denying hundreds of thousands of students access to education.

Many educational facilities are used as shelters, despite being unsafe due to damage or the threat of further attacks.

Movement restrictions and violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem further hinder access to schooling. We commit to working with Education International to ensure that all education institutions are safe sanctuaries and protected from attack and to advocate for lasting peace, secure and safe teaching and learning and quality education for all in the region.

Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring that all peoples are protected from racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism. We condemn all acts of racism, hate speech and discrimination.

Solidarity with Ukraine

The AEU recognises the bravery and commitment of Ukraine’s teachers and educators and the impact of the invasion of their country which has severely impacted the education system, the teaching profession, students and families. We acknowledge that nearly seven million students have had their lives and education interrupted, with more than 3800 education institutions damaged including 365 of them being totally destroyed.

The AEU condemns all acts of war and we note the impact that the ongoing war has on the Ukrainian teaching profession. In particular, the growing teacher shortage due to the significant number of teachers abroad who are unable to return, as well as those who are unable to work due to the destruction of their homes, a lack of access to the required technology and the ongoing psychological impacts of war. Further, we recognise that according to enrolment data, two thirds of Ukrainian students are now learning remotely either attending classes partly or fully online due to their schools having been destroyed or lacking appropriate protection and safety in case of attack.

The AEU also calls on the Australian Government to create the conditions and facilitate Ukrainian refugees’ education under the Ukrainian curriculum to maintain their Ukrainian language, culture, Ukrainian identity and connection to Ukraine, as well as to enable them to return to Ukraine and to continue their education in Ukrainian educational institutions after the war ends.

The AEU stands in solidarity with teacher and education support personnel members of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine in their campaign for increase in salaries, as well as for safe working and learning conditions despite the extremely difficult situation in the country,

for prevention of job cuts and education institutions cuts, for keeping young people in Ukraine and motivating them to return, and for taking their position into account when developing Ukraine’s recovery policy.

We commit to working with Education International to advocate for peace in the region and for high quality teaching and learning delivered in safety by a fully supported education profession.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.4 Education and Training Centre report

1. An overview of 2024

During 2024 The ETC has planned to offer approximately 160 learning events for members throughout the year.

It is anticipated that approximately 2,000 members will attend online and face-to-face events through the SSTUWA throughout 2024.

The refined processes and procedures established by ETC staff allow the smooth running and management of multiple courses each week of the year.

The entire training team will continue to strive to ensure pre-course, during-course and post-course communication processes and hospitality with members is of the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency. The team will continue to work to retain current members and highlight the benefits of the union to non-members through the provision of high-quality learning opportunities. The remainder of the report details key areas of importance for the 2024 school year.

2. Term 1 and 2

Training events commenced in Week 4 of Term 1 and continued through to the end of the short term. Over 400 registrations were received for training events throughout Term 1.

These included:

• 141 delegates attending training to improve the success of their important union roles in the workplace. This included union representatives and women’s contact officers (WCO) - Schools and TAFE

• 37 Work Health and Safety Representatives also attended a five-fay introductory course in Term 1.

• 109 delegates registered for District Council events which were held across the state.

• 88 members participated in face-to-face professional courses since January 2024.

• 30 participants registered for online-professional events during Term 1.

Term 2 events are filling quickly, with five industrial training events booked to capacity as from 8 May 2024. These include:

• 172 registrations for union representative and WCO Training.

• 45 registrations for Early Childhood Education forum.

• 67 registrations for WHS training events.

3. Online industrial training in 2024

During 2024 the SSTUWA will offer two series of 45 minute online industrial training events.

Series One: General Agreement 2023 (GA 2023)

Six events will focus on topics around the new Agreement 2023 for Schools.

Series Two: Workload - Hot topics

The second series of online events will cover a range of hot topics related to Workload. These events will be created based on the current “Make it Work Kits” available through the SSTUWA website.

Agreement in Principle information sessions

During Weeks 5-10 SSTUWA senior officers and school organisers offered approximately five online information sessions per week and a number of face-to-face meetings in selected areas. The sessions provided clear and up-to-date information around the Agreement in Principle, as well as outlining the voting process and timelines. These sessions were well attended by members and provided an opportunity to understand significant aspects of the third offer.

A similar model of information sessions will be used once an Agreement in Principle is received for TAFE.

4. Conferences and forums in 2024 (TUT)

The following conferences and forums will be the focus for 2024.

• Early Childhood Educator Conference - Term 3

• Women’s Conference – Term 4

• Early Childhood Educator Forum – Term 2

• New Career Teachers Forum - TBC

• LGBTIQ+ Forum Schools and TAFE - Term 3

5. Professional learning online learning opportunities in partnership with Teacher Learning Network

In 2024, there will be approximately 40 opportunities for members to participate in online professional learning events provided in partnership with the Teacher Learning Network (TLN).

The table below provides an overview of the deliberate attempt to link groups of courses, encouraging participation across a series of related events such as Wellbeing, Middle Leadership and Masterclass. In 2024 the duration of the events is the biggest difference. Courses have been lengthened. There will be less 60 minute sessions and more 90, 120 and 180 minute sessions. This change has been made based on 2023 national statistics and feedback comments.

The 2024 online live events will fall under one of the following six categories:

• Learning Diversity

• First Nations Pedagogies

• Leading Staff and Student Wellbeing

• Behaviour and Classroom Management

• Middle Leadership Events

• Teaching and Classroom Practice

Learning diversity events

This series will support teachers to develop practices that promote inclusivity. They will also provide courses about common learning disabilities found in many classrooms, including students who have experienced trauma. Teachers will gain strategies that assist them to support students from many cultural backgrounds, religious backgrounds and with a range of learning challenges.

Audience: Primary and Secondary Educators

Course Title

Planning for an Inclusive Classroom

Supporting EALD Students

Supporting Students with ADHD

Supporting Students with Dyscalculia

Building Partnerships with Education Support Staff

Supporting Students with Dyslexia

Supporting Students who have Experienced Trauma

Managing the Learning of Students with Anxiety

Supporting Students with ASD

Extending Gifted Students in the Middle Years

Differentiation for Students with a Learning Disability

First Nations pedagogies and content events

When

mins Term 1

Term 2

Term 2

Term 2

Term 2

2

3

3

3

4

2 holidays

This series will explore ways to create a sense of belonging and safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families. It will unravel what you teach as part of the curriculum and the pedagogies you choose. It will support teachers to engage effectively with First Nations pedagogical approaches.

Audience: Primary, secondary and TAFE educators Course

Supporting the Learning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Pedagogies

Leading staff and student wellbeing events

This series of events will support any person working in a leadership role to support wellbeing of both students and all staff across their workplace. Educators will learn how to lead a successful wellbeing program in their school including the science of wellbeing and how it can be applied to staff and students.

Audience: Primary, Secondary and TAFE Educators

Course

Wellbeing Leadership – Planning for Success Using your Strengths

Wellbeing Leadership – A Whole School Approach

Wellbeing Leadership – Looking After your Own Wellbeing

Wellbeing Leadership – Evaluating your Impact

mins Term 3

mins Term 3

Behaviour and classroom management events

Behaviour management is one of the more challenging issues educators face on a day to day basis. Join David Vinegrad across three powerful sessions - Getting it Right, Keeping it Right and Making it Right. Participants will learn the tools of how to establish routines and procedures, develop relationships and approaches that promote consistent predictable classrooms. Further sessions will also support teachers explore restorative approaches to respond to disengaged students or disengaged classrooms.

Audience: Primary, Secondary and TAFE educators

Course Title

Getting it Right - Setting Up the Classroom for Success

Keeping It Right - Maintaining the Positive Learning Environment

Making It Right - Correcting Inappropriate Behaviour

Techniques to Reconnect with a Disengaged Student

Techniques to Reconnect with a Disengaged Class

Middle leadership events

2

3

3

The following series of events are designed for those working in or aspiring to be in middle leadership positions such as Deputies, HODs, Curriculum Leaders, or Level 3 Classroom Teachers. Middle leaders need to look up to senior leadership, look across to your colleagues and look out to the wider school community. At the same time, they need to maintain your positive connection with students. It can be exhausting being in “the middle”. Join one or all the following events to build the relationship skills you need to thrive in a middle leadership role.

Audience: Primary, Secondary and TAFE educators

Course Title

3

Teaching and Classroom practice

The following three-hour masterclasses will help educators to explore specific dimensions of teaching. The masterclass sessions will allow participants to revisit core principles, understand new developments and reflect on any opportunities for change and improvement. The 60 minute or 90 minute sessions will explore high-quality activities that can be implemented in the classroom immediately and will have a practical focus.

Audience: Primary, Secondary and TAFE educators Course Title

Masterclass One - Choosing the Right Pedagogy (From Ancient to Modern)

Masterclass

3 Technology in the Classroom – How to Make it Work for You

6. Professional learning face-to-face courses

A range of high-quality professional learning courses will continue to be offered during all holiday periods throughout 2024. These will include both full-day and half day sessions. Courses will be selected dependent on identified needs and requests of members: A large suite of topics and presenters have been identified and available to work with the SSTUWA upon request. New topics and presenters are added continually. Sessions to be offered will fall into the following categories:

• Behaviour Management

• Students with Special Needs

• Education Technology

• Personal Development

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Career Development

• Teaching Literacy and Mathematics

• Financial Planning

The ETC Coordinator will continue to maintain strong working relationships with current contract presenters who provide high-quality, powerful professional learning opportunities for members.

In 2024 the ETC Coordinator will also continue to identify new presenters to provide learning around newly identified topics of need. The current suite of possible professional courses is around 40 possible topics or sessions. The goal for 2024 will be to offer at least one new course per holiday period. Adding approximately five new topics in 2024.

7. Union representative e-packs (Schools and TAFE) for 2024

The ETC has worked in collaboration with the Communications Team to update all relevant resources for union representative packs to be sent electronically in 2024. The website materials have been updated and provide the most up-to-date support materials for elected representatives (Schools and TAFE).

A seamless process has also been established with Membership, ETC staff and Communications Teams communicating weekly, to ensure that all representatives who have completed the 2024 nomination forms are sent the union rep e-pack within a week.

As a result, so far in 2024 as from 13 May 2024:

• 366 e-packs have been sent to union representatives: Schools

• 24 e-packs have been sent to union delegates: TAFE

8. SSTUWA polo distribution in 2024

In 2024 there has been a focus on promoting the SSTUWA polo shirts to members. In early Term 1, an eNews feature highlighted the availability of the polos for sale via the website online store. This has resulted in multiple sales of shirts.

The following data provides a summary of purchases:

Total polos purchased: 269

As part of the 2024 union representative packs – reps in schools and TAFE have been offered the option of ordering a 2024 polo for themselves, and for their Branch elected delegates. This offer has currently been accepted by 129 Branches and a total of 433 complimentary polo shirts have been provided.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.5 General Agreement Schools 2021 report

All matters from the EBA 2021 have been resolved with the exception of a new schedule for insertion to the General Agreement for the School of Isolated and Distance Education. This specific matter is continued in the 2023 EBA to be resolved. Unfortunately it was not resolved by the time the most recent round of bargaining began in October 2023 despite there being member forums and consultation underway, which have not ceased.

There is connection between the EBA 2023 proposed agreement to the EBA 2021 General Agreement. These are dependent upon the 2023 agreement being accepted by the membership, these include:

• The right of return for principals who seek to or wish to take up system leadership positions for a maximum of three years.

• Staff placement has been responded to in the form of teacher and school leader transfer opportunities.

• Union representative time is included as an offer in the proposed agreement.

• Long service leave entitlements addressed in the proposed agreement.

• Complex behaviour framework has been established in association with the SSTUWA and now supported by a much further reaching resource base in the proposed agreement.

• The conditions for teacher observation shifted to the General Agreement in the proposed agreement.

• Ongoing allowances for travel concessions and air-conditioning and above formula District High School funding are included in the proposed agreement that each began in the 2021 EBA General Agreement.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.6 State government initiatives report

Following the November 2023 SSTUWA State Council and five weeks after the release of the Facing The Facts report on 6 November 2023, the Minister for Education released his long awaited Understanding and Reducing the Workload of Teacher and Leaders in Western Australian Public schools, also known as the red tape report.

This report opens with the statement, “The drivers of workload and work intensification go well beyond ‘red tape’. At the heart of the problem is the greatly increased expansion and complexity of the job of teachers and leaders. The solution lies in working towards a professional and public consensus about what is and is not the job of teachers, so that, instead of constant expansion, there is a deliberate shrinking of their roles so that they have more time to focus on the increasingly complex core business of teaching and learning.”

In response to the brief for this report, the authors wrote, “while the salary and conditions of employment, such as the amount of programmed non-teaching time for teachers, are relevant to the attractiveness of teaching as a career, our analysis indicates that the problem goes to the more fundamental question of whether the job of teaching as currently performed and organised is doable and sustainable.”

The report made 24 recommendations to the Minister for Education and the Department of Education to consider.

In the six months following the release of this report the only related workload reduction actions released to date are to digitise some commonly used forms, investigate the workload impact of artificial intelligence and the release of a system-wide student data system.

EBA negotiations focused upon work intensification matters led to offers relating to individual documented student plans, professional learning, compliance related workload, complex behaviour and classroom support. The outcome from negotiations included an offer from the government for a Ministerial Taskforce to focus upon these work intensification areas with representatives from each signed party to the agreement.

In April 2024 the WA Parliament received the report A Different Kind of Brilliance. This report has potentially significant implications for the WA public education system in the longer term.

Of the findings and recommendations in this report there are several that could lead to a direct impact upon how schools operate, including:

• Finding 4: Because of the barriers some groups face in obtaining an autism diagnosis, it is not always the most appropriate basis for determining whether an individual requires support.

• Recommendation 2: That the Minister for Education support the development of a cross-sector WA neuro-diversity education strategy, led and codesigned by autistic and neuro-diverse people, that focuses upon on improving learning and wellbeing outcomes for autistic and neurodiverse students at school.

• Recommendation 5: That the Minister for Education ensures that additional support, in the form of professional learning content and in-class modelling and coaching, is targeted towards early career teachers in relation to supporting autistic students.

• Recommendation 14: That the Minister for Education provide clarification and guidance for schools on their authority to approve flexible attendance and subject loads for autistic students who require it.

• Recommendation 23: That the Premier support the development of a whole of government neurodiversity strategy, led and co-designed by autistic and neurodiverse people, that focusses on improving life outcomes for autistic and neurodiverse Western Australians.

The Minister for Education announced just prior to the state budget a funding increase of $224.5 million to support public school students who have a diagnosed disability or additional learning needs. The state government has also commenced a legislative review of the term disability. This is not currently listed on parliamentary house business in 2024 and is therefore expected to be before the legislative assembly in 2025 at the earliest.

The TAFE training minister Simone McGurk announced as part of the 2024/5 WA state budget:

• $93.4 million invested in 2023-24 State Budget to boost workforce participation in WA.

• Includes a $26.9 million commitment to support employers in the construction industry to take on local apprentices.

• $4.2 million for a completion grant and safety equipment rebate for construction apprentices.

• $2.9 million work placement and travel assistance for regional nursing students.

• $2.5 million to increase travel and accommodation allowance for regional apprentices.

• $3.5 million expansion of the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations training program to Kimberley and Pilbara.

• $3 million TAFE scholarship program for women in trade and technical occupations.

• $1.6 million to continue practical training support for Aboriginal people and improve employment opportunities.

These budget items are being considered for their impact upon TAFE negotiations that are currently underway.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.7 School leaders report

School Leader membership has increased in 2024, no doubt driven by the industrial action and by the Facing the Facts report. Internally our school leader members have been supported by the appointments of school leader organiser Melissa Rinaldi and leadership consultant Lindsay Hale. Having two deeply experienced consultants available to our growing school leadership membership base has been an effective strategy to not only mitigate school level disputes but to also seek resolutions, work with district organisers and to liaise with senior officers.

School leader face to face and online meetings have been held across the state to detail the EBA 2023 content and process.

In Semester 1 2024 our principal members have been challenged by issues often far beyond their control, including:

• A 20 per cent increase in physical assaults in our schools. Including an increase in the number of weapons, especially knives coming into the school.

• Political announcements, such as:

○ Workload concern in managing rollout of the Student Assistance Payment scheme announced by government (claims opened on 15 April 2024, first day of Term 1).

○ The “Making the Difference” report tabled to state parliament.

○ Period products for primary aged students.

○ Public release of a new student database and a commitment to experiment with artificial intelligence as workload reduction measures.

• Comments in media following stop work action by Premier Roger Cook when questioned on pending industrial action. Mr Cook said Education Minister Tony Buti was in discussion with the school leaders, but the government’s focus was on teachers.

“They’re the biggest cohorts. They’re the ones that are that are at the front of the classroom, so they’re our focus,” he said.

• Continuing concerns expressed around psychological safety for staff and for leaders attempting to manage these issues.

• Limited information around the four pilot schools implementing phase one of the Kaartdijin solution that was planned to start in Term 1, 2024. Compass and TechnologyOne have been chosen as the preferred providers of the new system. Around 170 schools already use Compass, but the rest do not.

Due to SSTUWA industrial bans the school leader committee did not meet in Term 1 or the first half of Term 2. The new committee has met recently and we thank our members for the nomination and representation. This committee will be managed by Melissa Rinaldi, with the president as senior officer with the responsibility for this portfolio.

During Term 1 principals and union representatives were asked to complete an online survey responding to staffing shortages and staffing related challenges at their sites. The SSTUWA received 581 responses creating a statewide image of the teacher shortage issues at the start of the school year. This data has been shared with DoE for their response through the EREC forum.

The results included:

• 581 responses including school leaders or union and branch representatives.

• 49 per cent of respondent schools are using undergraduate teachers to fill permanent or fixed term positions.

• 34 per cent of respondent schools stated their specialist classes are being impacted by the shortages.

• 85 per cent of respondent schools are using out of subject area teachers or teachers unqualified for the particular role.

• 60 per cent of respondent schools are using school leaders to cover classes.

• 50 per cent of respondent schools are using relief teachers to cover classes or subjects.

• 30 per cent of respondent schools are using education assistants to cover classes or subjects.

• Respondents stated the following were impacted by the teacher shortage:

○ 60 per cent impacting core subject delivery.

○ 13 per cent reporting to parent obligations.

○ 22 per cent impacting annual events.

○ 34 per cent impacting extra-curricular activities.

○ 50 per cent of new initiatives or programs impacted.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.8 New educators report

The Growth Team works closely with new educators, including preservice teachers and both trained and untrained teachers in the first five years of their careers. Early career teachers require specific advice, support and information as they learn their craft. The work of the Growth Team in this area can be divided into three broad and overlapping categories: recruitment, retention and engagement.

Recruitment

The Growth Team has a focus on recruiting new educators through direct recruitment conversations, both in-person and via phone, as well as a range of indirect recruiting strategies.

A Growth Team officer attends the first and fourth of the mandatory graduate modules, ensuring every single graduate teacher in Western Australia hears directly from the team at least twice during their first 30 months of teaching. Additionally, the team attends the Teach for Australia regional intensive, which occurs during the January school holidays prior to the first day of teaching for all Teach for Australia Associates. These two events represent important recruitment opportunities for the SSTUWA and provide all early career teachers with valuable information about the importance of union membership.

The student conversion project continues to be a productive recruitment strategy, with each student receiving a phone call and a follow-up text message in the weeks following their student membership lapsing. New student members continue to join through Growth Team attendance at university orientation days and events. Additionally, stage two industrial action generated significant interest amongst the education student cohort and led to a spike in self-motivated new student joins.

As per clause 30 of the Agreement, at the beginning of each term the Department of Education provides a list of new teaching hires to the SSTUWA. This list includes graduate teachers, Teach For Australia Associates and untrained teachers working under Limited Authority to Teach, as well as any experienced teacher taking up a new contract. In Term 1 of this year, all union reps with one or more non-member new starters were notified of these names by letter, with joining information enclosed. The Growth Team New Educator Officer also called all current student members who appeared on the new starter list, inviting them to upgrade to a financial membership. This list is also used by the Growth Team to seek out new starters, particularly new educators, during school visits and is provided to all external organisers. The Growth Team is tracking the membership status of each cohort of new starters for retention monitoring purposes.

Finally, a group of teachers who are not new educators in the traditional sense but are new to education in Western Australia are the International Teachers. This year, the Growth Team has attended each of the International Teacher inductions, and had a strong response from this cohort, with many joining the SSTUWA on the spot. For some, they have become union members the very same day they step off the plane.

Retention

To support the retention of early career members, the Growth Team is now implementing onboarding emails. Within one month of joining the SSTUWA, any teacher in their first five years of teaching receives a targeted email from the Growth Team outlining the support and benefits available to them as a new educator member. A separate targeted email is sent to any new student member within one month of their join date. These emails allow those new to the profession to understand the importance of union membership and encourage them to access the benefits and supports available to them. It is clear that new members are engaging with these emails, with an uptick in requests to join the New Educator Network and the website’s Graduate Entitlements quiz seen following the sending of each batch of emails.

A key part of the support provided to new educators is targeted communications. Each Western Teacher magazine contains a one-page article, written by the Growth Team, specifically for new educators. This is paired with a teaching tip and one letter from the “New Educator ABCs”, covering some of the basics of beginning teaching. Additionally, on the first Tuesday of each month new educators receive a NEN eNews, with content curated specifically for them. This is very popular with new teachers, attracting high open and click-through rates.

Targeted new educator content is also shared through the New Educator Network (NEN) Facebook group, on the SSTUWA Instagram page and, to a lesser extent, on the main SSTUWA Facebook page. Content follows a weekly cycle of daily posts covering the processes and structures of the SSTUWA and unions, industrial information, professional support and union- and teaching-related memes. Engagement and membership in the NEN Facebook group is steadily increasing, and the group was found to be a particularly useful tool in assisting new educators to understand why and how the stage two industrial action was carried out.

Engagement

The 2024 New Educator Committee is a group of 12 active and engaged early career teachers. The committee meets termly and is focused on understanding and promoting the rapidly evolving needs of our newest cohort of teachers.

At graduate modules and events and online and other communications, the Growth Team supports the promotion of SSTUWA campaigns to new educator members. Many of this cohort are new to concepts such as industrial action, or the importance of reporting violence in schools, meaning this work is particularly crucial.

In November last year, six new educator guests joined State Council as observers, each mentored by an elected delegate. All six actively engaged in the program, including staying for the delegates’ dinner on Friday night and participating in a morning debrief before Conference on Saturday morning. Four of these guests nominated to be a State Council delegate for 2024.

Also in November 2023, the SSTUWA sent three new educator delegates to the National New Educators Conference in Canberra: Callan Hegarty, deputy rep from Bannister Creek Primary School, Amy Herring, rep from Holland Street School (Ed Support) and Isabelle Gillians, women’s contact officer from Joseph Banks Secondary College. Across the two days of the conference, delegates participated in a range of workshops and heard from guest speakers including AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe, economist and author Alison Pennington and Glensley Valele, a fellow new educator from Vanuatu. On the Saturday night of conference, all delegates travelled to Birrigai, a place of significance for the local Ngunnawal Peoples, and participated in an on-Country dinner.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

Saturday 15 June 2024

Session 3

8.15am – noon

8.15am – 9am Registration and tea/coffee

9am - 10am

10am – noon

Reconciliation in Education Panel Discussion Tertiary Institutions

State Council reports

SC.9 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education report

SC.10 General Agreement Schools 2023 report

SC.11 TAFE report

SC.12 General Agreement TAFE 2023 report

SC.13 Election campaign 2024 report

Lunch noon – 1pm

SC.9 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education report

SSTUWA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee 2024

The first committee meeting was held on 9 May. As is now SSTUWA process, the committee is for members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The meeting focused on the recently released Facing the Facts report with a specific lens to the recommendations for Aboriginal education.

Facing the Facts recommendations:

Recommendation 41:

A dedicated Aboriginal Unit should be established as a matter of urgency. It should be well funded with the clear goal of supporting schools to implement the Aboriginal Standards Framework with appropriate resources and face-to-face support at the local level.

Recommendation 42:

An elite Aboriginal Education Team comprised of experienced and highly trained educators should be developed to staff schools with significant numbers of Aboriginal students.

Recommendation 43:

Teachers competitively appointed to this Team should have extensive cultural and educational training to understand and support local needs prior to taking up their roles.

Recommendation 44:

Teachers in this Team should be highly paid while in situ and guaranteed placements in preferred locations after three years’ good service or, if they prefer, a return to their previous positions. They should also be provided with well-maintained accommodation and guaranteed regular flights to their usual hometowns or cities.

Recommendation 45:

The WA Department of Education should report annually on the implementation and outcomes for Aboriginal students in line with the Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework, including achievement and attendance levels of Aboriginal students by city, regional, remote and very remote indicators. The committee will continue to have discussions on the Cultural Standards Framework and cultural awareness training, with a hope to meet Aboriginal Advisory Body representatives to advocate for improvements in the delivery of both.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee position SSTUWA 2024

As of Semester 2 2024, SSTUWA will be looking to employ an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educator to lead and guide the union’s work on the following priority areas:

1. Renew, modify and implement SSTUWA’s Reconciliation and Action Plan.

2. Work on SSTUWA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy alongside SSTUWA strategic directions.

3. Engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and committee.

Australian Education Union Federal Conference 2024

AEU Federal Conference delegates were fortunate to hear from Thomas Mayo. Mayo’s speech reflected on the outcome of the referendum, his journey during and post referendum. Mayo thanked all branches of the AEU for their combined advocacy and consistent lobbying during the Yes Campaign.

Conference acknowledged the work that was still to be done in this space and this was echoed in the conference statement which set to include a First Nations’ voice in all aspects of union business. In particular the following two key areas:

The Uluru Statement from the Heart – what next

In 2017, the AEU accepted the invitation issued to all Australians by the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We accepted the generous offer from Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their communities to walk together to build a strong foundation for a safer, respectful, more compassionate Australia, in which we can all thrive. The referendum campaign was hard fought and traumatic, with people from all walks of life coming together with hope and a shared vision for the future. Now is the time to strengthen our efforts and commitment to justice for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their communities. The referendum result, and the journey to this point, reminds us that change can be a long and challenging process.

As teachers, principals and education support personnel, we have an intrinsic responsibility to build the skills, knowledge and understanding of our students, to help shape the world that our students live in. This is transformative, and public education is at the heart of our society and indeed democracy. Education provides a path to knowledge, opportunity, and social progress for all. It is a powerful tool that can challenge biases, behaviours, dismantle stereotypes, micro-aggressions, racism and create inclusive environments.

As we walk together for a better future, we must never take a step backwards or look away. We will ensure an environment in public education where open, honest and truthful discussions about our history can take place. We have an obligation to develop critical thinking, empathy, and a sense of responsibility amongst all students. When we equip young people with the knowledge needed to truly understand the past, we empower them to be active, informed citizens who can shape a more just and compassionate future. Our work to achieve equity and prosperity for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their communities is not finished. Today, and every day, we recommit ourselves to walking together towards a better future for all members, staff, students, families and communities.

Tackling racism in education workplaces

In November 2023, the AEU committed to the recommendations of the Jumbunna Institute report with the official launch of the report in Canberra. The report of the Jumbunna Institute “Making our words and actions meet” sets out an agenda for action by the AEU to address the character, cause and symptoms of racism in Australia’s education workplaces. The Jumbunna report maps out a clear set of principles:

• Commit to unearthing and acting on workplace truths – however uncomfortable this might be;

• Ensure any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-related work is led and informed by Aboriginal members and Torres Strait Islander members;

• Develop organisational principles to make it clear how Aboriginal community and Torres Strait Islander community engagement and employment should work in practice;

• Focus on workplace readiness (cultural safety) rather than worker readiness;

• Recognise identity strain and educate non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members about how to interact with their Aboriginal colleagues and Torres Strait Islander colleagues in ways that reduce this;

• Recognise and remunerate cultural load as part of an employee’s workload;

• Consult with Aboriginal members and Torres Strait Islander members on how to minimise cultural load while maintaining organisational activity;

• Focus on sustainable careers and career development, rather than just short-term appointments;

• Take action to address workplace racism; and

• Look to high-impact initiatives – those that research shows are linked to better wellbeing and retention for Aboriginal members and Torres Strait Islander members.

The 2024 AEU Federal Conference affirms the commitment to this course of action and, in keeping with the intent of Recommendation 2 of the Jumbunna report, we will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander members to lead and inform the AEU’s work to develop and implement the relevant actions and implementation plans to achieve the recommendations for change.

Reconciliation in Education Leadership Network group

SSTUWA is a member of the Reconciliation in Education Leadership Network group. The purpose of the group is to network and provide system change for reconciliation in education; by supporting truthtelling and knowledge around cultural responsiveness through key and shared strategic priorities. Members of the group will have the opportunity to present their organisation’s initiatives with regards to cultural responsiveness.

Furthermore the first post referendum meeting highlighted the importance of defending and upholding the rights of First Nations people. Members of SSTUWA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander committee have been invited to a post referendum yarn. The event will see Aboriginal Elders, communities, stakeholders and allies come together and provide insights to help shape Western Australia’s reconciled future, post the referendum.

National Reconciliation Week - Now More Than Ever

This year’s theme, “Now More Than Ever”, is a reminder to all that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue.

Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. We know that the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people and are with us.

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.

Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.*

*Reconciliation Australia

During National Reconciliation Week, SSTUWA participated in the walk for Reconciliation and hosted a film screening of the documentary “In My Own Words.”

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.10 General Agreement Schools 2023 report

Formally beginning in October 2023 the current round of negotiations saw the membership of the SSTUWA unite across all of Western Australia culminating in stop work actions in 21 different locations on 23 April. These locations included:

Perth Busselton Pinjarra Esperance Katanning

Northam Merredin Kalgoorlie Geraldton Dalwallinu

Albany Meekatharra Narrogin Broome Karratha

This list does not include the dozens of remote, regional or metropolitan locations where members organised their own events or tuned in to the 450 or so livestreamed connections.

The Perth event saw an estimated 10,000 members and supporters, including parents, march across the Matagarup bridge to Gloucester Park where the largest union rally seen in WA anytime in the last 15 years was held.

The Perth event was hosted by Senior Vice President Natalie Blewitt and speakers included Vice President Sharmila Nagar, head of department Aleesha McKenna-Green, new educator and teacher Simon Joachim, UnionsWA Secretary Owen Whittle and SSTUWA President Matt Jarman. Members supported four motions at each of the stop work actions, these were:

1. That SSTUWA negotiators continue to work towards reaching an Agreement in Principle (AIP) as soon as possible and that this AIP focuses on:

a. Salaries

b. Regional incentives

c. Staffing

2. This meeting of SSTUWA members calls on the WA government to address the issues identified in the Facing the Facts report and the Department’s own red tape report as a matter of urgency. In particular:

a. Immediate steps to alleviate the unnecessary, unsustainable, bureaucratic impositions on teachers and leaders’ work; and

b. System wide, classroom support for teachers dealing with student behaviour issues.

3. That the WA government commits to an immediate and independent review of class sizes in WA public schools.

4. That in the event no Agreement in Principle is reached by 10 May 2024 the SSTUWA Executive determine options for further membership action.

As a consequence of these stop work actions the WA Government made a third offer to the SSTUWA and the PFWA on 1 May which was endorsed as an Agreement in Principle for members to vote upon, that vote commences on Monday 17 June and runs to 4 July. Members have been told the outcome of that ballot will be communicated during the school break.

There is no doubt that the actions of the SSTUWA membership on 23 April prompted the state government to take seriously the issues raised by the SSTUWA on behalf of its members.

In terms of salary the SSTUWA’s initial claim was for 12 per cent across a two year agreement. This offer delivers salary increases of 12 per cent over three years. Given allowances, salary increments or parts of the third offer, some members will receive between 12-15 per cent during the life of this Agreement. For many a switch to new allowances in some locations will deliver a further premium up to $6,000.

Each year delivers increases above the predicted rate of inflation, by one per cent, 1.5 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively. Overall, the Treasury’s predicted CPI rate for Western Australia across 2023-2025 is 9.5 per cent. The state government is offering salary increases of 12 per cent across the same period.

Graduate teachers would be among the best paid in Australia. Senior teachers would also see significant salary improvements, as would school leaders.

The offer from government includes conditions addressing member concerns, in summary form these include:

• Ministerial taskforce focussing upon

○ Classroom support / small group tuition.

○ Complex behaviour.

○ Professional learning.

○ Individual learning plans.

○ Compliance, (or red tape).

• Stronger and clearer support and changes to the Class Size clause of the General Agreement, including the allocation of students with documented plans.

• Agreement for parties to design a documented plan template for the start of the 2025 school year.

• Strengthening of professional learning expectations and agreements with staff, what is acceptable online learning and what is by choice.

• Graduate professional learning and allowances.

• Experienced teacher workload and salary incentives as part of senior teacher status:

○ New senior teacher Level 2, two duties. Senior teacher Level 1 to have one negotiated duty. Increased salary increment for senior teacher 2.

○ Agreement to amend senior teacher pathways to make access simpler and clearer.

○ New senior teacher responsibility related to the monitoring of school site workload matters available to be considered as additional responsibility available to senior teacher two staff.

• Regional allowances:

○ Replacing existing locality allowances for district allowances.

○ Commitment for a review of district allowances to broaden their application.

• Continued for the life of this proposed agreement:

○ District high school funding.

○ Air-conditioning subsidies.

○ Travel concession for the Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberly.

• Earlier long service leave access after seven years.

• Agreed conditions for teacher observation as part of performance management included to the General Agreement.

• Trial to return Level 3 Classroom Teacher 0.1FTE and a higher salary grade.

• A consistent approach to performance management for Deputies, Heads of Department and Program Coordinators.

• A commitment to jointly review school principal performance review processes.

• Staffing related matters:

○ Right of return for permanent teachers and school leaders wishing to take up positions in regional WA for three years and for principals to system level positions.

○ Joint review of merit selection processes.

• Union representative time to be provided into school funding.

• School Psychologists:

○ Align TOIL to that of teachers.

○ DoE recognise the school psychologist branch for union representative time and industrial relations.

• Public sector leave items. Improvements to:

○ Superannuation for unpaid parental leave.

○ Leave without pay.

○ Cumulative personal leave credits.

The PFWA also endorsed the offer to their members despite regular public criticism of the offer and the WA state government. Ultimately, the PFWA was aiming for a higher pay offer for principals only and that

was rejected by government. It is important to also recognise this will lead to the PFWA returning as a signatory to the General Agreement.

School leader components of the offer arose from the reclassification review the Department of Education had been conducting in 2021-2022.

This review was wound up through agreement between the SSTUWA, the Director General and the PFWA in December 2022.

At this time former President Pat Byrne put in writing to all parties the residual school leader issues still needing to be addressed following the closing of the reclassification review which were then endorsed by the June 2023 State Council of the SSTUWA into the Log of Claims and identically repeated in the PFWA Log.

All school leader offers from the WA government emerged from this correspondence and as stated, it was the work of the SSTUWA leadership at the end of 2022 that formulated the basis of each of subsequently successful claims.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.11 TAFE report

Implementation of the General Agreement TAFE 2021

Since registering the agreement in December 2021, the union has been implementing the new Agreement in many areas including:

Workload management – Members have been reluctant to use the provisions of the new workload management clause, but after training delegates feel more empowered to help members through the process.

Long service leave – Some members have begun to receive advice for past LSL accrued as a casual. However, members have raised concerns about the calculations and the union is still negotiating fairer formulae.

Advanced Industry Lecturer (AIL) classifications – South Regional TAFE is yet to complete the selection process and South Metropolitan TAFE still has one classification to fill.

In addition, the union has been implementing the following items that were negotiated outside of the formal agreement:

Agreed timetabling principles – Branches continue to indicate that consultation around timetabling is improving but not in all study areas. The union continues to provide members with copies of the principles, and train delegates on their implementation, to ensure workplace culture continues to change.

Development work and scoping funding – $3.8 million was allocated to this initiative and the funds have been distributed to colleges who must account for expenditure separately to usual funding. This money was rapidly used indicating that more funding is needed and on an ongoing basis.

Return to industry program – This program to ensure that lecturers receive 10 days off teaching to attend workplaces in community and industry rather than having to do this work on top of a teaching load. Many lecturers have reported difficulty finding relief given staff shortages. It appears the State Government has committed further funding for this initiative.

Tertiary teaching qualifications pilot – $1 million was allocated to the initiative to support lecturers who wish to undertake a tertiary teaching qualification. Since the framework has been agreed through STERC, colleges have been running workshops for prospective applicants and some colleges have finished their selection processes. It is hoped that all colleges finish their selection processes in time for lecturers to enrol in studies for Semester 2, 2024.

Permanency

The union continues to support members through conversion processes with all colleges undertaking yearly reviews. North Metropolitan TAFE continues to support some conversations outside the review process. The yearly reviews do not seem to catch all eligible lecturers so branch delegates and the union are continually helping members navigate their way to greater job security.

STERC

The focus for STERC has been on implementing the 2021 Agreement and other negotiated outcomes. Issues dealt with by STERC have included - personal data, security and privacy issues for lecturers, funding for the Year 9 taster programs, issues concerning late enrolments and resource fees, TAFE digital roadmap project, implementing the teaching qualification pilot program, implementing the appointment of the new advanced industry lecturer (AIL) classifications won through bargaining, status of adult education qualifications and changes to the National RTO credentials schedule, college delegations of authority, the review of foundation skills programs and its impact on CAVSS/USIQ funding, and the review of the funding model.

Reviewing the Approved Qualifications Policy - This major piece of work is about to start. In the last 12 months the policy has caused some issues and needs to be rewritten to make the list of qualifications more accessible and to make preferred qualifications and advice clearer.

Academic leadership classifications - Statistics provided through STERC show that advanced skills lecturer numbers are very low and at close to half the funded levels. The union has been working with one college to simplify the application process and provide more support for prospective applicants. This process will be trialled in Semester 1. Statistics will be reviewed following the completion of the current round of applications. Colleges are generally not fully funded for any leadership positions or classifications. The funding model assumes academic leaders are teaching a full load, so underfunding is exacerbated when lecturers are released from teaching to undertake their leadership responsibilities. The short fall in funding is made up by efficiencies in delivery, principally increased class sizes and cuts to student curriculum hours.

Joint Consultative Committees

Each TAFE college has a JCC where the union, delegates and management meet to resolve issues, discuss government policies that impact on TAFE, and any other matters the delegates wish to raise.

In the last six months key issues addressed through the JCCs have been - reviewing colleges policies, implementing the Above Base Grade MOU, holding lunch and learn professional development sessions during unpaid meal breaks, advertising of vacancies, optical aids subsidies, outcomes from the talent pool state wide recruitment processes, key findings from the Public Sector Census, student curriculum hours delivered, college budget outcomes and targets, implementing new WHS requirements including psychosocial frameworks, timetabling and hours for on-line delivery, marking workload and timeframes, need for more effective consultation, implementing new college management structures, mental health first aid training, academic quality systems project, simplifying resulting, job security issues, issues with the implementation of the temporary regional incentive, unattached employees (internal redeployment), ICT issues, return to industry programs, use and review of foundation skills programs and implications for CAVSS and USIQ programs, errors in class rolls, student support plans and workload issues, building issues, managing heat, and lecturer counselling statistics.

Membership

Member numbers have held steady despite retirement and members leaving employment to return to industry. Branch delegates will be using key points in the bargaining process to promote membership.

Branch members continue to be connected to decision making through their TAFE Committee representatives, helping to facilitate engagement, activism, recruitment, and retention of members at the branch level.

National TAFE and AEU matters

Funding

The Federal Government’s 2024-2025 Budget has promised:

• 20,000 free-free TAFE places at a cost of $88.8 million (5,000 of which will be pre-apprenticeship places). The focus of these student places will be for the construction industry,

• $55.6 million over four years for the Building Women’s Careers Program aimed at supporting women to participate in male dominated industries,

• $91 million over five years for the Skilling the Clean Energy Workforce, with $30 million to support the VET teaching workforce for clean energy courses and $50 million to support upgrading and expansion of training facilities,

• $265.1 million for the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Scheme.

More Fee Free TAFE places are welcomed; however lecturers have clearly indicated that welfare, literacy, numeracy, and digital support, is needed for these students and is not being allocated at the campus level, according to the State of TAFE 2023 survey. Initiatives made at the federal level are generally not backed up with additional resourcing to support implementation at the state level, for example, changes to training packages and the national standards, which have increased workload and intensification of work for members. Further details are needed on many of the initiatives.

Whilst we acknowledge and welcome the current federal government’s commitment to allocating additional funding to TAFE, we have concerns of the potential impact on TAFE lecturers and staff and are waiting on further details to be released.

National TAFE Day

The union is supporting the national TAFE photography competition for students again this year. The theme for this year’s competition is the Heart of TAFE. Whether it is facilities, student diversity, the wonderful lecturing staff, student entrants have been encouraged to creatively capture what they feel is the ‘Heart of TAFE’. Members have promoted this competition directly with students and by displaying posters at their campus. All colleges have indicated they are promoting the competition directly to students as well.

In 2023, WA did very well in terms of the number of students entering the competition and a WA student as the national runner-up. The competition really helped promote TAFE and the work of lecturers nationally, with the federal minister attending the event in Canberra on National TAFE Day.

The competition closes on 10 July 2024. Each state-based winner will receive $1,000 and a trip to Canberra for National TAFE Day. The overall winner will receive $5,000 and have their work published in the TAFE Teacher magazine.

State of TAFE Survey

The annual State of TAFE Survey was run in October – November 2023 with data released in May 2024. Key findings for Western Australia included:

• 74 per cent of respondents reported a decline in staff wellbeing over the last two years.

• 75 per cent of respondents reported an increase in workload over the last two years.

• 81.4 per cent of respondents indicated the pace and intensity of their work had increased over the last two years.

• 50 per cent of respondents said their class sizes had increased over the last two years.

• 71.5 per cent of respondents indicated the amount of time they spend marking has increased over the last two years.

• 58 per cent of respondents indicated they felt generally unsupported, or not supported at all, in terms of mental health and wellbeing.

• 51 per cent of respondents indicated they felt generally unsupported, or not supported at all, in terms of supporting students who are falling behind.

• 62 per cent of respondents indicated they were not allocated sufficient time for students to learn and practice skills.

• 53 per cent of respondents indicated the pace and intensity of their work had increased since the introduction of Fee Free TAFE.

• 75 per cent of respondents indicated that mental health needs were much more prevalent for students enrolled in Fee Free TAFE, 76% indicated literacy and numeracy needs, and 60% digital skill needs, but only 21% indicated additional learning and student support services had been allocated to meet these needs.

• 65 per cent of respondents said they had considered leaving their job in the last 12 months.

• 65 per cent of respondents said they did not believe students today are receiving the same quality of education as they did two years ago.

The results of the survey strongly validate information provided by members and delegates to the union in Western Australia over a number of years and support key items presented in the log of claims.

Recommendations:

1. That the chair of the TAFE Committee report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.12 General Agreement TAFE 2023 report

The union served the TAFE Log of Claims on all five employer parties (TAFE colleges) and the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) on 7 August 2023.

Negotiations commenced on 30 August and have continued since then with a first offer being received on 28 March. The offer included wage increases of 4.75 per cent, 3 per cent and 3 per cent for each year of the agreement, funding for unit development work, increased advanced industry lecturer classifications, funding to support lecturers to undertake a teaching qualification, additional annual leave travel concessions, increased air conditioning subsidies, first aid allowances, and a range of improved leave provisions.

Following receipt of the first offer, the DTWD and Government Sector Labour Relations (GSLR) asked the union to indicate key items from the log of claims that would need to be resolved for the parties to reach settlement on a new agreement.

TAFE delegates from around WA met on Friday 3 May to determine key items from the Log of Claims. Negotiations have now focused on the key items identified that relate to wages, workload, job security, leave, and allowances.

Delegates have stressed that TAFE plays a critical role in providing vocational education and training, which is essential for the workforce and economic development. Recognising the importance of this sector through better pay and improved conditions for its educators underscores its value to society.

Key negotiation points made have included:

Cost of living - The cost of living in WA, particularly in urban areas, has been rising steadily. This includes housing, utilities, transportation, and general expenses. A pay rise would help lecturers manage these costs more effectively.

Economic factors - Inflation and economic changes can erode the real value of salaries over time. Regular pay rises are necessary to ensure that lecturers’ earnings keep pace with inflation and maintain their purchasing power.

Attracting and retaining talent - Competitive salaries are essential to attract and retain qualified and experienced educators. Higher pay can make TAFE positions more attractive, reducing turnover and ensuring a stable, high-quality educational environment for students.

Equity and fairness - Lecturers in other educational sectors or regions may receive higher pay for similar work. A pay rise and further increments for TAFE lecturers in WA would ensure they are compensated fairly in comparison to their peers.

Increased workload - TAFE lecturers face increased workloads due to growing student numbers, cuts to student curriculum hours, increased non face-to-face student allocations, ongoing enrolments, increased administrative duties and compliance work, unit development, and the need to stay updated with industry trends and technologies.

Professional development – TAFE lecturers need to have ongoing capacity to return to industry and support to access teacher training.

Job security – TAFE lecturers are continually having to fight for increased job security, particularly in female dominated industry areas. There is a need for automatic conversion to permanency, and increased permanent fractions, after working four consecutive semesters.

Improvements in leave – The Western Australian public sector is not keeping pace with a range of leave provisions. Negotiations have focused on increasing paid maternity leave, introducing paid partner leave, and broadening the capacity of lecturers to reclaim leave when ill or injured during periods of long service and annual leave.

Improvements in allowances – Negotiations have focused on increased country incentive allowances.

Support for students demonstrating complex behaviours – there is a need to resource support in this area as lecturers report growing concerns about behaviour issues, student wellbeing and engagement, and increased mental health needs.

While negotiations continue, branches continue to prepare for a half-day stop work action, in case one needs to be called, in accordance with the TAFE Committee decision made in April.

Recommendations:

1. That the chair of TAFE Committee report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.13 Election campaign 2025 report

The 2025 WA State election is scheduled to be held on 8 March. The SSTUWA will submit an election package for each party to consider in the lead up to the election, this has been a successful strategy, especially for ongoing campaigns, in the past. The broad categories to be considered will be:

• System support

• Attraction and retention

• Funding

• Regional and remote issues

• TAFE

Delegates will engage in a workshop session during the June State Council aiming to identify concerns they wish to see addressed in the SSTUWA election package. Final endorsement of the package will be provided by executive. Ongoing and focussed campaigns such as country housing and class size reductions may wish to be considered by the state council delegates amongst the priorities for the election campaign package.

Once the election package is endorsed by Executive it will be distributed to members and senior officers will begin campaigning. Members may wish to consider what engagement opportunities they may wish to consider with local and aspirant members of parliament participating in the 2025 state election.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

Saturday 15 June 2024

Session 4

1pm – 5pm

12.30pm – 1pm Re-registration

1pm – 5pm

State Council reports

SC.14 Administration report

SC.15 SSTUWA financial statements and audited accounts

SC.16 Legal services report

SC.17 Facing the Facts report

AEU WA Branch Council agenda

AEUBC01/24 AEU WA Branch Council report

AEUBC02/24 International Trust Fund report

AEUBC03/24

AEUBC04/24

AEU WA Branch rule amendment

AEU WA Branch financial statements and audited accounts

AEUBC05/24 Decisions from the SSTUWA June 2024 State Council

SC.14 Administration report

1. Governance Elections

Elections 2023/131 SSTUWA State Council/AEU Branch Council

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has completed the first and second round of elections for State/Branch Council. A final election is required for Kimberely/Pilbara and Stirling for the vacancies in these districts. AEC will declare these results on 5 June 2023.

SSTUWA Committee elections 2023

The SSTUWA Returning Officer completed first round and second round elections for the SSTUWA Committees as determined by Executive January 2024. The internal governance and compliance team involved in these elections are acknowledged for the implementation of required procedures to rules as over seen by the returning officer and the general secretary. Committees declared by the Executive for 2024 are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee, Early Childhood Committee, LGBTIQ+ Committee, New Educators Committee, TAFE Committee, School Leaders Committee and Women’s Committee.

Branch elections 2024

Improved consistent application of the union’s branch election governance requirements has resulted in subsequent improvements in our internal management of branch elections. Branch delegate position elections are compliant with the SSTUWA rules and AEUWA rules as signed off by the governance officer and the general secretary. See data attached.

Financial matters

Auditors Moore Australia have completed annual reports for both SSTUWA and AEUWA. These reports are tabled in this agenda. The report has not identified any areas of concern.

The annual budget and the auditors report have been presented and endorsed by the Finance Committee and Executive Committee.

IT Controls 2023/2024

The IT Controls Implementation Committee has been established to lead and support our work in this important governance area. The decision to seek expert advisor support from William Buck has been an important addition as a not-for-profit small organisation. The committee has identified high risk areas as our focus over Semester 1: Least Privilege, multi-factor authentication, cybersecurity training, security monitoring and MySQL upgrade. The implementation of these areas will continue into Semester 2 and run alongside continued database review and development.

2. Membership

The SSTUWA membership overview on 30 April 2024:

3. Recruitment and retention

Key strategies and project for 2024 are:

Growth Team

The strategy of a dedicated Growth Team (3 FTE) has continued as the key strategy with strong results. The 2024 target areas are: new starters to schools and TAFE, new educators in schools and HOD/HOLAs as a segmentation approach. The 2023 strategies have been reviewed taking into account successful strategies used on the NSWTF model that can be applied to WA to increase our results.

Union delegates/branch growth and development

Our goal is to lead internally with actions that enable delegates to build our union branches to be integral and essential to the good running of a workplace.

This work now includes training courses and follow up support that builds industrial, professional and legal knowledge along with work practices that equip branch leaders. This avoids what is known as a sheep-dip approach, which is where large groups of people get standardised training.

The EBA campaigns have brought branches together and required branch leadership to stand up and be a union voice - a new challenge for many. The result is due to the success of the work over recent years. Our training and organiser program over the last few years has equipped branch leaders for the EBA 2023/2024 challenge. It has also highlighted the gaps and challenges for future work.

Financial Difficulty Plan and Natural Disasters Fund

Our retention and support plan for members in financial difficulty and/or who have been through a natural disaster has continued this year with well-established internal procedures. Members needing to access these options receive both financial and industrial support. Many members undergoing legal case management are without a salary for periods of time. Suspension of fees is critical for them. This fund gives us a very strong culture of solidarity and care for every member.

4. Campaigns

5. Union structures data

SSTUWA 2024 campaigns

Schools EBA Campaign 2023/2024

TAFE EBA Campaign 2023/2024

AEU/SSTUWA Federal School Funding

For Every Child

Preschool Funding Now

AEU/SSTUWA Federal TAFE Funding

Rebuild with TAFE

6. Operational matters

State electorate boundaries

In November 2023, State Council endorsed motions to move to the new WA government electorates as presented in November 2023 and that in the event the WA Electoral Commission’s final published electoral boundaries differ from the list tabled Nov 2024, the SSTUWA Executive be authorised to amend the schedule to reflect the position of the WAEC. This has been required and actioned. The office has moved to implement the changes required to schools and therefore changes to the members database to match the 2024 boundaries to be ready for the 2025 elections. The final WAEC 2024 electoral boundaries are tabled below.

Appendix 3

2024 Schedule of Districts based on 2023 Review of WA’s Electoral Boundaries – Final Report

District Name State Electorates

1 Belmont Bassendean Belmont Forrestfield

2 Bunbury (no change) Bunbury Collie-Preston Vasse

3 Butler (previous) Burns Beach Butler Joondalup

3 Butler (new) Mindarie Quinns Rocks, Merriwa, Ridgewood, Mindarie, Clarkson, Kinross, Tamala Park, Neerabup Butler Joondalup

4 Fremantle (previous) Bicton Fremantle Willagee

4 Fremantle (new) Bicton Fremantle Bibra Lake Samson, Kardinya, Murdoch, Hamilton Hill, Coolbellup, North Lake, part of Spearwood, part of South Lake

5 Goldfields Kalgoorlie Roe

6 Hillarys Hillarys Kingsley Wanneroo

7 Jandakot Cockburn Jandakot Southern River (no changes)

8 Kalamunda (previous) Armadale Darling Range Kalamunda

Anketell, Aubin Grove, Casuarina, Forrestdale, Haynes, Hilbert, Oakford, Piara Waters, Wandi, part of Banjup, part of Harrisdale

incl Wanneroo, Gnangara, Jandabup and Marangaroo

Marangaroo, Alexander Heights, Girrawheen, Koondoola, Balga, Mirrabooka

Inc Madora Bay, Lakelands, Port Kennedy, Secret Harbour, Singleton, Karnup, Golden Bay

District Name State Electorates

17 Scarborough Carine Churchlands Scarborough

18 Stirling Albany WarrenBlackwood

19 Swan Midland Swan Hills West Swan

20 Victoria Park Cannington South Perth Victoria Park

7. Communications

General Agreement (Schools) 2023 negotiations have been a dominant issue for the communications team so far this year, with General Agreement (TAFE) 2023 to follow.

A variety of materials have been developed to keep members informed during the negotiations process, including guides on how the process works, updates on progress and executive directives.

Along with other issues such as federal funding agreements, the GA process attracted considerable media attention and this was predominantly managed internally with additional support from Regen Strategic.

These media campaigns were extremely successful with prominent and generally supportive newspaper and television coverage throughout the year.

In addition, the communications team took on responsibility for managing the Perth Metropolitan event for 23 April stop work action, with the support of organisers and other staff not engaged with regional and local events.

After investigating various options, the selected central venue was Gloucester Park, with a march across the Matagarup Bridge to provide colour and movement both for members and the media.

This event was an enormous logistical challenge, undertaken within a 10-day period. It proved extremely successful. The event attracted front page and lead bulletin coverage nationally and statewide. Both Gloucester Park and Perth Stadium staff praised the running of the event. Of considerable pride for the team was the absolutely spotless condition of the venues after marchers left.

Police estimated a crowd of over 8,000 at the metro event. Our estimate was closer to 10,000. Few will forget the sight of the bridge still being full of people as the head of the march entered Gloucester Park. This was complemented by a very successful series of events in other areas, often managed by individual organisers with invaluable local support.

In other areas considerable success has been enjoyed on social media. Instagram following for the SSTUWA is now over 1000 strong, with Facebook attracting a further 8,500 followers. Some delegates may recall a target a year or so back of 250 for Instagram.

The work from 2023 of refreshing the website has branched into other areas. The union’s new look and feel has proven extremely popular, with the sight of new flags and banners at the various stop work events especially noticeable.

Website hubs have been used with great success around the GA information and events as well as for reps and individual members.

Western Teacher’s digital edition has grown in popularity to the extent that over half the membership now receives the online version. This will be developed further with a move to an opt-in process to receive the printed copy for new and existing members.

The traditional print version will continue to be sent to all members who want to get one, as well as to all workplaces.

Targeted eNews delivery for New Educators, TAFE and others has proven popular. The general schools eNews has world-leading open rates of 40 per cent and above.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

3. That State Council acknowledges the work of Ian Stringall as the union’s returning officer.

4. That State Council acknowledges the commitment and quality of delivery of member representation and services by all union staff.

SC.15 SSTUWA financial statements and audited accounts

(Background attachment)

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

3. That the SSTUWA endorses the engagement of Moore Australia as auditors for the next financial year.

SC.16 Legal services report

Overview

This report includes data and commentary on the following:

• Number and type of cases on hand, cases opened and closed during the year and prior-year comparisons.

• Industrial Relations Commission and court cases.

• Significant industrial matters.

• Services purchased from external legal services providers.

Case statistics

Current cases

As of 31 March 2024:

• The Legal Services Team was dealing with 107 open cases (13 more than this time last year).

• Case managers, who deal mainly with performance management and fitness for work issues, had 67 cases (eight more than this time last year).

• Advocates, who deal mainly with disciplinary matters, unfair dismissals and breaches of industrial instruments, had 40 cases (five more than last year).

In the year ended 31 March 2024:

• There were 225 new cases (compared to 195 in the year ended 31 March 2023).

• The Legal Services Team closed 217 cases (compared to 180 in the year ended 31 March 2023).

New cases during the 12 months ending 31 March 2024

The following table shows a breakdown of new cases in the 12 months to 31 March 2024, compared with the previous 12-month period:

There was a significant year-on-year increase in disciplinary cases in the Department of Education (around 33 per cent) and fitness for work cases (around 36 per cent). Anecdotal evidence indicates that the increase in disciplinary cases is a result of the new reportable conduct scheme,1 which requires the department to investigate allegations that may have previously been dealt with through direct management action or found not to be substantiated after initial assessment.

There is no apparent systemic reason for the increase in fitness for work cases.

There have been some significant percentage changes in the numbers of other types of cases in percentage terms, but the small numbers of these cases make it difficult to draw conclusions about any trends.

Number of open cases over time

Open cases by type

Most current cases involve disciplinary matters, followed by fitness-for-work cases and disputes concerning entitlements.

1 This scheme was established under the Parliamentary Commissioner Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2022 (WA). Further information about the scheme is available from the WA Ombudsman at https://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/Reportable_Conduct/ RCS-Info.htm

Year-on-year comparison: Open cases as of 31 March 2024, compared with 31 March 2023

Industrial Relations Commission and court cases

Since the last State Council report, the union has had four cases in the Industrial Relations Commission and one case in the Industrial Magistrates Court, some of which were in progress at the time of the last report.

SSTUWA v North Metropolitan TAFE — Dispute concerning the dismissal of a union member (C 38/2023)

This application concerns the dismissal of a member that the union believes was harsh and disproportionate.

The employer raised a jurisdictional objection based on a contentious interpretation of the IR Act, arguing that the WAIRC cannot deal with the alleged unfair dismissal of a government employee as an industrial dispute. Commissioner Tsang heard the jurisdictional objection on 6 November 2023 and upheld the employer’s objection. The Commissioner’s decision essentially followed the employer’s novel and controversial interpretation of the IR Act and Public Sector Management Act.

If the Commissioner’s decision is correct, the Commission might no longer be able to deal with a dispute involving a member’s dismissal as an industrial dispute referred by the union, and the individual member must bring their own application. Although the union could assist the member with legal representation, the range of remedies would be limited, as the Commission could only order reinstatement and compensation and not resolve any underlying industrial matters. This outcome would overturn established practice and reduce the Commission’s ability to prevent and settle industrial disputes.

SSTUWA has lodged an appeal to the Full Bench on the ground that the Commissioner misinterpreted the law. The matter was heard on 8 February 2024. At the hearing, UnionsWA and the Industrial Relations Minister made submissions that supported key aspects of SSTUWA’s position. The Full Bench has reserved its decision.

SSTUWA v North Metropolitan TAFE — s 46 application concerning the interpretation of the TAFE Industrial Agreement (APPL

71/2023)

North Metropolitan TAFE has refused to accrue annual leave for members on workers’ compensation payments for more than six months, relying on a provision of the TAFE industrial agreement. The union believes this practice is contrary to the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act (MCE Act), and the industrial agreement must be interpreted such that it does not provide inferior benefits to the MCE Act.2

The union has made an application to the WAIRC for a declaration concerning the proper interpretation of the industrial agreement. A conciliation conference did not resolve the issue, and Commissioner Tsang heard the case on 29 February 2024.

An important issue emerged after the union initiated this case. In a decision delivered on 20 November 2023,3 Senior Commissioner Cosentino ruled that when determining an application to interpret an agreement under section 46 of the IR Act, the Commission should not consider the interpretation of terms implied by the MCE Act. If Commissioner Tsang follows Senior Commissioner Cosentino’s reasoning, there may be implications for the way the present case is decided.

Senior Commissioner Cosentino’s decision has been appealed to the Full Bench, and a decision on the appeal is pending. Given that the Full Bench decision could significantly impact the outcome of the current case, Commissioner Tsang advised that she will allow the parties to make submissions about it once it is delivered. This will delay the process and it may be several weeks or a few months before Commissioner Tsang delivers a decision.

SSTUWA v Director General, Department of Education — Dispute concerning the Collegiate Principal Program (C 43/2023)

This dispute concerned an attempt by the Education Department to force school leaders engaged in the Collegiate Principal program to resign from their permanent employment to take up a fixed-term role as

a Collegiate Principal, with no promise of re-employment at the end of the term. Commissioner Tsang listed the matter for a conciliation conference, but the employer raised a jurisdictional objection and refused to participate in conciliation in the Commission.

The employer’s jurisdictional objection was based on a novel and contentious interpretation of the IR Act that essentially seeks to exclude the Commission’s jurisdiction in matters that have even a vague connection with the Public Sector Employment Standard. Although the IR Act does not allow the Commission to deal with Employment Standard matters involving appointments to a particular position, the union’s position is that this restriction applies narrowly and does not prevent the Commission from dealing with more general disputes. The employer’s position seems to be that disputes involving, even incidentally, the appointment or transfer of a public sector employee are beyond jurisdiction.

The union strongly opposes the employer’s position, and a hearing was scheduled for 6 March 2024. However, before the hearing, it became clear that all the members involved had either signed a new contract or returned to their school. This meant that, in a legal sense, the original basis for the dispute no longer existed, and the Commission would be unlikely to agree to arbitrate the matter.

Rather than proceed with the hearing, SSTUWA decided to discontinue the application but pursue the issue in the agreement bargaining process. The union has sought provisions to protect the job security of school leaders who are temporarily deployed to non-school-based positions.

SSTUWA v Director General, Department of Education — Dispute concerning refusal to transfer a union member (C 44/2023)

This dispute concerned the Department’s treatment of a member who can no longer work at her normal school after experiencing alleged workplace bullying. The Department had refused to permanently transfer the member to another school and told her that unless she found her own position within the Department, she may have to take leave without pay.

The Union asked the Commission to convene a compulsory conference of the parties with a view to conciliation, but the employer raised a similar jurisdictional objection to that described in the previous matter (C 43/2023) and refused to participate in a conference. As in the previous matter, the union strongly opposed the employer’s position concerning jurisdiction. However, the member involved accepted a permanent transfer after the dispute had been referred to the WAIRC. This meant that, despite the disagreement over jurisdiction, the underlying dispute no longer existed, and so SSTUWA discontinued the application.

SSTUWA v Central Regional TAFE — Breach of industrial agreement by failure to pay overtime entitlements (M 76/2023)

This is a claim by SSTUWA in the Industrial Magistrates Court. The union alleges that Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE) breached industrial agreements by failing to pay overtime to several members dating back to 1 January 2017. The employer’s main defence is that the members worked under an averaging arrangement, and no overtime was payable because their hours did not exceed the time permitted under the averaging rules. The union believes that the introduction of the averaging arrangement breached the industrial agreement because the employer did not consult as required by the agreement.

There was a pre-trial conference on 7 September 2023. Since then, there have been some discussions about settlement options, but the matter remains unresolved at the time of writing.

Major industrial issues

Bargaining for new industrial agreements

The union is currently engaged in negotiations for new industrial agreements for members in the Department of Education and TAFE. The legal services team has assisted senior officers in drafting terms and has coordinated the provision of external legal advice concerning issues around industrial action.

Casual employees and long service leave

The union is awaiting confirmation of the approach that the Department of Education and TAFE colleges will take in cases where an employee has a mix of long-term casual and fixed-term employment. The

union’s position is that continuity of service for long service leave purposes should be retained so long as there is no break of more than 6 months in either form of employment. The government is developing a public sector-wide position on this issue, so we have been unable to negotiate an agreed position directly with the Department of Education or TAFE colleges.

The issue is most widespread within the Department of Education due to the large number of teachers who have undertaken long-term casual relief work. As an interim solution, SSTUWA is raising individual cases with the department for an urgent decision where there are exceptional circumstances, such as the potential for hardship due to delay.

External legal services providers

SSTUWA maintains a retainer agreement with Slater and Gordon while engaging other legal services providers for specific work. Engagement with several different providers increases the depth and sustainability of the legal services program, enabling us to maximise value for members and engage the most appropriate provider for a particular task. Currently, the following firms provide legal services to SSTUWA members.

Firm Services Provided

Cory Fogliani Employment Law

Eureka Lawyers Employment Law

Family Law

Wills and Probate

Personal Injury (other than Workers Compensation)

MDC Legal Employment Law

Slater and Gordon Advice to the Union, including Commercial Law Matters

Employment Law

Professional Registration Matters

Workers’ Compensation

Personal Injury

Tehan Legal Criminal Law

Restraining Orders

Workers’ compensation

Member Assist referred 154 worker’s compensation matters to Slater and Gordon in the year ended 31 March 2024, compared to 142 in the previous 12-month period.

Workers’ compensation matters referred by month

Wills

Eureka Lawyers draft a simple will for SSTUWA members, where such a will is appropriate, at a fixed fee of $200, not including GST. The union pays the fee directly, so there is no charge to the member. Where a more complex will is required, Eureka Lawyers offers a substantially reduced hourly rate, and the union covers the first $200 of the member’s costs. The service is also available for Retired Teacher members.

In the year to 31 March 2024, Eureka Lawyers drafted wills for 145 members, compared to 136 in the previous 12-month period.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

SC.17 Facing the Facts report

Review of Public Education in Western Australia - Facing the Facts

Commissioned by the SSTUWA and undertaken by an independent panel, led by Dr Carmen Lawrence, Facing the Facts; A Review of Public Education in Western Australia was launched on Monday 6 November. The review is a comprehensive and thorough document based on both broad consultation and significant research, including 70 academic papers.

The review canvassed five areas:

• Major educational policy changes in just over a decade, including major legislative and policy changes, the Independent Public Schools initiative and changes in curriculum, assessment and reporting.

• Indadeqacies in funding and staffing.

• Social changes, including school readiness and student attitudes, behaviour and mental health.

• Negative impact on teachers and school leaders, including workload, performance, satisfaction, and turnover.

• Concerns for student achievement and satisfaction.

Dr Lawrence told us that, “The cumulative impact of frequent policy changes, including the increased isolation of schools generated by the IPS initiative, has steadily increased both the intensity and complexity of workloads, lowered morale, increased burnout and created an environment where teachers feel undervalued and disrespected. Many teachers, particularly in disadvantaged schools, are paying a high personal price for staying in the profession,” and that, ultimately, “The profession is at breaking point and requires immediate steps to improve education delivery and morale.”

This was soon followed by the Understanding and Reducing the Workload of Teachers and Leaders in Western Australian Public Schools, commissioned by the Department of Education (DoE) at the direction of the Minister which stated that, “It is the cumulative impact and relentless nature of all the tasks and requirements that drives the problem of workload intensification,” and that, “the problem goes to the more fundamental question of whether the job of teaching as currently performed and organised is doable and sustainable.”

• Facing the Facts does not suggest turning back the clock; it suggests facing up to the objective reality that the system is in trouble and finding practical and constructive ways to go forward:

• Objectively reviewing IPS and providing clear strategic direction, priorities, planning, resources and change management to build up public education.

• Providing adequate, equitable, needs-based funding.

• Delivering real support for Aboriginal education and providing better support for disadvantaged students and those with complex needs.

• Creating services and supports that are accessible and responsive.

• Delivering quality in-house, coherent and free teaching resources along with face to face professional development.

• Progressively reducing class sizes.

• Providing practical, efficient and effective approaches for reporting to parents and individual education plans.

• Above all, reducing workload volume, complexity and intensity in schools to - along with all of the measures outlined - improve attraction, retention, performance and satisfaction of teachers and school leaders.

Media response to the report - and political rhetoric - has been positive, and community support has grown. The communications team has promoted understanding of the report through Western Teacher, social media and podcasts. This has been complemented by workshops at District Council meetings in Term 1.

The Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Education have, along with all WA human services Ministers, received correspondence commending the report to them, urging full funding of public schools against the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) and highlighting particular areas of concern for each of their portfolios. In addition, the report, again citing specific aspects of interest, has also been shared with the Office of the Auditor General, the Education and Health Standing Committee, the Rural and Remote Education Advisory Committee, the Commissioner for Children and Young People, ECU Deans of Education and the Board of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

In light of Facing the Facts, the Premier was urged to consider DoE participation in the Public Sector Commission’s Agency Capability Review program and this review is underway. The SSTUWA has provided both verbal and written submissions.

Recommendations 17 to 21 call for full recurrent funding and boosted capital funding for public schools. While the announcement of intent in relation to funding to meet the Schools Resourcing Standard is welcome we await a signed agreement, true implementation to 100 per cent of the SRS, proper regard for data requirements and workload, and commitment to adequate funding for new and existing school infrastructure.

In relation to Recommendation 46, which called for the establishment of a Change Management Steering Committee co-chaired by the Director General of Education and the SSTUWA President, it has been agreed that Facing the Facts will be responded to through EREC. The union has proposed a framework for this ongoing discussion and it is hoped this will commence soon. Our patience will not be infinite.

The bargaining team negotiating the 2023 Agreement were provided relevant supports for the Log of Claims based on both Facing the Facts and Understanding and Reducing the Workload of Teachers and Leaders in Western Australian Public Schools.

To build alliances and support we have engaged professional associations, WACSSO, ICPAWA, WACOSS, Youth Focus, Foster Carers Association of WA, WA Association for Mental Health, the Council for Aboriginal Services WA and others. Facing the Facts is well understood and supported by many who share our interest in public education, especially for the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and complex children and young people.

Background work to help inform deliberations for a 2025 election position statement has commenced. Supports for grass roots campaigning are underway including presentations to assist with engaging members, other colleagues, P&Cs and, potentially, other relevant community groups. Feedback from District Councils will assist in formulating template letters that can be contextualised to local needs and forwarded in support of Facing the Facts

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

AEU WA Branch Council

Saturday 15 June 2024

2024 AEU WA Branch Council delegation

Senior officers

Matt Jarman President Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President

Executive

Bruce Banyard

Natalie Blewitt

Donna Bridge

Kate Bunney

Geoff Holt

Tom James

Matt Jarman

Marie Klein

Jan Lau

Kathryn Mannion

District delegates

District 1: Belmont

Entitlement – 7

Jason Lowry

District 2: Bunbury

Entitlement – 9

Craig Bourne

Reneé Chapple

Michael Harvey

James Keillor

Nghia Nguyen

Paul David Reynolds

Natasha Schmitt

District 3: Butler

Entitlement – 9

Wesley Buzza

Sarah Dinan

Ana Large

Matthew Stelov

Kristie Williams

Beverley Worrall

District 4: Fremantle

Entitlement – 7

Lydia Cavallaro

Ruth Ellis

Jade Elvin

Sharmila Nagar Vice President

Mary Franklyn General Secretary

Sharmila Nagar

Heather Riseberry

Lincoln Rose

Samantha Schofield

District 5: Goldfields

Entitlement – 7

Hannah Kyriakacis

Geoffrey MacNicol

Jasmine Porteous

Nicola Rose

Joey Stuart

Jo Talbot

District 6: Hillarys

Entitlement – 11

Rory James Critchley

Louise Loosen

Geoff Miller

Melanie Moore

Tania Lee Muller

Maurice Palmer

Esther Rose

Sean Vagg

District 7: Jandakot

Entitlement – 10

Louise Colliver

Angela Di Noto

Anna Di Noto

Simon Joachim

Sebastian Liffers

Stacey Scorer

Anne Tumak

Sharon Vertigan

Pauline Winrow

District 8: Kalamunda

Entitlement – 9

Claire Eden

Jason Evans

Ronnie Naidoo

Leah Slater

Reece Young

Sharon Bergman

Linda Valdrighi

District 9: KimberleyPilbara Entitlement – 11

Danielle Boyd

Orin Casey

Sheena Chaplin

Trisha Chapman

Perin Faulkner

Owen Gale

Heather Gerrard

Chalice Kelly

Kate Murrihy

Sue Smith

Jodie Thompson

District 10: Maylands Entitlement – 7

J Keenan Chandler

Madeline McFee

Dale Nixon

Helene Offer

Melissa Peden

Carol Salt

Heidie Vanzetti

District 11: Moore Entitlement – 9

Luke Aubrey

Tristan Broomhall

Grant Dodd

Jen Heath

Kristine Cox

Renee Skehan

Lesley Stace

Brenda Wann

District 12: Morley Entitlement – 7

Stephanie Hughes

District 13: Murray Entitlement – 7

Lesley Griffiths

Lori Anders

Ric Holster

District 14: Perth Entitlement – 9

Nike Browning

Pat Burke

Rick McMahon

Peter George O'Neill

Sam Testa

District 15: Riverton Entitlement – 9

Bruce Cameron

Bradley Carlé

Jessica Jenkin

Rachel Kealley

Dillon Mason

District 16: Rockingham Entitlement – 14

Sarah Bradley

Jason Michael D'Argent

Gary Davies

Gary Hedger

Aleesha McKenna-Green

Paul Otto

Michelle Pilkington

Graham Rees

Andrew Samway

Christie Simpson

Donna Sparke

Clare Topperwien

Vanessa Williamson

District 17: Scarborough Entitlement – 6

Allan Bertram

Chloe Bravos

Ramona Carroll

Andrew Dawson

Cameron Dean

Judi Harrison-Ellis

District 18: Stirling Entitlement – 7

Rob Berwick

Ken Cornwell

Graham Jaeckel

Zac Matthews

Virginia Mercer

Alison Quinn

Nick Virgona

District 19: Swan Entitlement – 9

Kayla Chester

Shaaron Cullen

Brendon Nutt

Chris Spencer

Sandra Szopski

District 20: Victoria Park Entitlement – 7

Kai Griffiths

Callan Hegarty

Paul Knapton

Gordon Traynor

Barbara Van Trigt

AEUBC01/24 AEU WA Branch Council report

Results of the AEU State of our Schools survey data are attached for executive to consider. Of no surprise are revelations showing an increase on the impact of dealing with complex behaviour, increased average working weekly hours and what members across the country feel will lead to improving student outcomes, such as smaller class sizes.

Whilst the WA government has signed a statement of intent regarding federal funding, each state in the country which has not continues to campaign hard for a genuine 100 per cent of the Schools Resourcing Standard (SRS).

As shown in the Federal Schools Funding report, the WA government is willing to commit to a federal funding agreement below 100 per cent SRS and below what private schools in WA are also receiving and for this to be the case until 2028.

Shown below is a table Federal President Correna Haythorpe and the SSTUWA President shared with the Minister for Education on 10 April 2024. This data was released discretely the Friday before this meeting. The WA government continues to dispute WA will remain under 100 per cent, reiterating each state cuts an average of 4 per cent to be utilised elsewhere across the system.

This table shows our analysis of the statement of intent federal funding agreement the WA government is preparing to sign. It reveals private schools in WA will continue to be funded at greater than 100 per cent of the SRS until 2028 whilst WA public schools will remain under 100 per cent of the SRS during this same period.

The table also reveals the savings to the funding agreement by reducing private school contributions by approximately one per cent per annum would equate to the cost analysis of reducing WA class sizes spruiked by the Director General publicly during the course of the EBA 2023 negotiations.

Other analysis of the federal funding around the country includes:

Public schools – total SRS share 2022

excluding 4%*

Source: NSRB 2022 report and Senate Estimates QON SQ23-000357. *Excludes 4% of non-school spending included in each state and territory share, except the ACT.

Private schools – total SRS share 2022

Source: NSRB 2022 report and Senate Estimates QON SQ23-000357

What the funding gap around the country looks like:

Western Australia

• Public school funding

$4.356 billion - $174m above required.

• Private school funding

$413m - $28.1m above required.

• 4% was $223m

South Australia

• Public school funding

$2.599 billion - $19m lower than required.

• Private school funding

$334m - $49m greater than required.

• 4% was $140m

New South Wales

• Public school funding

$12.034 billion - $1 billion greater than required.

• Private school funding

$1.386 billion - $60m greater than required.

• 4% was $613.4m

ACT

• 100% of the SRS

Northern Territory

• Public school funding

$538m - $19.2m lower than required.

• Private school funding

$36.5m - $1.5m lower than required.

• 4% was $38.1m

Victoria

• Public school funding

$8.4 billion - $62.5m lower than required

• Private school funding

$1.1 billion - $134.3m above required.

• 4% was $486.4m

Queensland

• Public school funding

$7.924 billion$104.7m above required.

• Private school funding

$860.2 million - $2.18 million lower than required.

• 4% was $451.6 million.

Source: NSRB 2022 report and Senate Estimates QON SQ23-000357

Over this period, private school funding will decrease by an average of one per cent each year. Private schools will still benefit by just over $200m more than public schools from now until 2028.

The disappointment of the 2024/25 Federal Budget not including provision for 100 per cent of SRS for public school students was made perfectly clear by Correna Haythorpe, Federal President AEU:

“Our principals, teachers and support staff are doing an extraordinary job, but they are being asked to do too much with too little and there just aren’t enough of them. The challenges in schools have never been greater – more diversity and complexity in student need, increasing wellbeing and mental health issues and acute shortages of teachers due to unsustainable workloads. Fully funding public schools is the only way to ensure every child gets the support they need to succeed, and we can recruit and retain sufficient numbers of teachers.

There needs to be additional teachers and counsellors in schools, along with more support staff and specialist staff such as speech therapists.”

“Principals, teachers, parents, unions, community members and governments across Australia all believe the Commonwealth should lift its SRS share from the current 20 per cent to 25 per cent.”

Recommendations:

1. That the branch president report.

2. That the report be received.

AEUBC02/24 International Trust Fund report

The International Trust Fund (ITF) is one three ways through which the AEU conducts its international activities:

• Involvement with Education International and the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) to both of which the AEU is formally affiliated.

• Affiliation and involvement with Australian organisations such as the ACTU and APHEDA – the Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (it is worth noting that the AEU is the single biggest union contributor to APHEDA. Last year our contribution was $245,000).

• International programs and projects through the ITF.

The ITF is a separate legal entity from the AEU and is funded by contributions from each of the AEU Branches at the rate of 0.7 of total members subscriptions. Some of its major operating principles as set out below:

• To further the cause of organisations of teachers and education employees, to promote the status, interests and welfare of their members and to defend their trade union and professional rights.

• To promote for all peoples, and in all nations, peace, democracy, social justice and equality; to promote the application of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the development of education and of the collective strength of teachers and education employees.

• To seek and maintain recognition of the trade union rights of workers in general and of teachers and education workers in particular; to promote the international labour standards, including freedom of association and the right to organise, to bargain collectively and to undertake industrial action, including strike action, if necessary.

• To support and promote the professional freedom of teachers and education employees and the right of their organisations to participate in the formulation and implementation of educational policies.

• To promote and to assist in the development of independent and democratic organisations of teachers and education employees, particularly in those countries where political, social economic or other conditions impede the application of their human and trade union rights, the advancement of their terms and working conditions and the improvement of educational services.

The work of the Fund is overseen by a committee, comprising the AEU President and Deputy President, the AEU Federal Secretary and Deputy Federal Secretary and a branch member from each of five AEU Branches, elected by federal conference.

Its work is predominantly with Education International (EI), its member unions and APHEDA and its focus is capacity building through:

• The development of teacher organisations.

• The development of women’s leadership in teacher organisations.

• Assistance in professional learning.

• Emergency/humanitarian assistance.

Under these headings, the ITF supports a wide range of projects in several countries. Its primary focus is the Asia-Pacific region, but it currently also supports projects in Africa and South America. Its operating budget for 2024 is approximately $1,000,000.

These programs take various forms but with similar goals:

• Ongoing work in India and Indonesia to support union leadership development for women and strategic planning and development for unions generally.

• Continuing support for the John Thompson project in the Asia-Pacific region and now expanding into Africa.

• Ongoing support for teacher unions in the Pacific region, through COPE.

• PATC Book and ICT projects – involve a number of African countries and assist in the production of text books (24,000 supplementary readers in 2023) to counter the lack of resources available from governments; also, there is a major focus on building ICT capacity (technical and human) in the continent especially since COVID.

• The Africa Young Educators Network (AYEN) focussing on union growth and renewal.

• The Education Workforce Initiative (EWI) in Ghana and Sierra Leone which is working towards ensuring a suitable and sufficient educator workforce is available.

The projects are funded or co-funded by the ITF in conjunction with other EI affiliate unions, usually over a period of years. All projects must assist in the achievement of the principles outlined above.

The Go Public campaign is currently a major priority for EI. It follows the Global Response Project with which the AEU has been closely involved and focusses on the building of public education systems across the globe in many countries with governments still struggling to establish/strengthen universal public education.

In addition to those projects, the ITF makes donations to a range of humanitarian causes by way of emergency assistance when needed.

In the Middle East the AEU, through APHEDA, has supported work in Lebanon since 1984. In particular, this has been to support Palestinian refugees in Lebanon with a principal focus on women and early childhood education. As a result of this funding, an ECE centre has been established to provide for refugee children who are excluded from mainstream Lebanese education and disability services.

Education projects for women and girls focus on major social issues such as child labour and forced marriage. These of course have a long term goal of eliminating their occurrence.

In the West Bank itself, APHEDA has been a major funder of the Ma’an Development Centre, in conjunction with the federal government until 2021. The Ma’an Development Centre has been running since 1989 and three main strategic projects aimed at maintaining the strength of communities are funded. These projects are to do with agriculture, the environment and women.

Food security is paramount and there are farming projects trying to establish and maintain local food and water security. One women’s co-operative is producing bread and feeding schools in 15 villages, as well as using permaculture techniques to grow grape leaves – a major component in middle eastern cooking -in a very dry environment.

A significant education component is operating for deaf children. These children are being taught signing and are assisting in the food processing co-ops. Teachers and nurses are currently not being paid.

In relation to Gaza APHEDA has again been running an appeal to which we have contributed approximately $25,000.

This money is going to ensuring food and water distribution, as well as non-food items such as tents, clothes hygiene products. A system of multi-purpose cash assistance is also running which enables the virtual transfer of money to people’s phones so they can purchase essential items.

EI has established a humanitarian assistance appeal to which the AEU has so far committed 70,000€. 34 member organisations have between them contributed more than 200,000€ towards teachers and students caught up in this conflict.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

AEUBC03/24 AEU WA Branch rule amendments

During 2023, AEU Branch Council endorsed an amendment to the AEUWA Federal Branch Rules which provided for the election of alternate delegates to Branch Council to enable such delegates to fill in in cases of absence by the elected delegate.

This was intended to mirror an existing rule in the SSTUWA rules for State Council delegates.

A formal application to amend the AEUWA rules was lodged with Fair Work (R134/2023). However, in follow-up discussions with Fair Work representatives, it became clear that the practicalities of implementing a similar rule in the AEU context were problematic.

In particular:

1. There are no clear election rules for the office of “alternate delegates”. AEUWA Rules 9, 13.1 and the term of office rules in Rule 2 do not explicitly include alternate delegates to Branch Council so it is unclear whether these rules apply to alternate delegates. A further sub-rule which explicitly states the election and term of offices rules that apply to District Delegates to Branch Council would be necessary to clarify how such positions are to be elected.

2. In the context of the SSTUWA rules, “Union’s Returning Officer” means the SSTUWA Returning Officer. For the purpose of the AEUWA Branch, all elections for office are conducted by the AEC. To successfully register that rule it would need to reference the Branch Returning Officer (ie the AEC). It would not be physically possible for an AEC Returning Officer to be notified of the need for an alternate delegate and to respond within what would normally be a short time-frame.

On that basis the AEUWA Branch Executive formally withdrew the application (R134/2023).

It is worth noting that, despite the existence of this provision in the SSTUWA rules, it was only exercised on a handful of occasions over an almost 20 year period between its creation and 2013, when SSTUWA elections began to be conducted according to the AEUWA Branch rules. Since 2013, there has been no capacity for alternate delegates to be elected.

A further issue in relation to the union’s Emergency Committee was identified by Fair Work.

Again, the federal Emergency Committee rule reflects the state rule. Currently that mandates the President as a member and provides for four Emergency Committee members to be elected by and from Executive members. It has been the practice for decades within the SSTUWA for this to be done by way of an Executive ballot.

Fair Work is of the view that Emergency Committee positions are offices under the Act and therefore such election needs to be conducted by the AEC. This is despite all Executive members having been elected across the membership to the office of “Branch Executive member”. Their view is based on the fact that the Emergency Committee has all the powers of the Branch Executive between meetings of the Executive.

In order to satisfy these requirements further rule amendments are necessary, specifically to rule 5.1. These are printed in the Branch Council agenda.

Following the recent out of session Branch Council meeting held on 19 March 2024, Branch Executive has also taken the opportunity to update the relevant parts of Rule 5 and rule 5.1 to enable Branch Council, Branch Executive and Branch Emergency Committees to conduct ballots by way of electronic post/ email in addition to what is already provided for in the rules.

Recommendations:

1. That a senior officer report.

2. That the report be received.

3. That rule 5(9) - Branch Executive be amended by the inclusion of the words “including electronic post” after the words “by post” in the second line.

Rule 5(9) would then read:

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any meetings of the Branch Executive and Branch Council may be conducted in person, by post, including electronic post, by telephone or videoconference, or by a combination of these forms of meeting or communication. Where any such meeting is conducted other than by way of all of the participants being present in person, such meeting shall be as valid as if all participants had met in person provided that:

(a) any such meeting is convened and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the rules applicable to the meeting concerned, including (without limitation) the relevant rules relating to notice and quorum for the meeting; and

(b) each of the members participating in the meeting must be able to hear each of the other members present at the meeting.

(c) where one third of the members of the Executive request that an Executive meeting convened pursuant to this sub-rule be held only by the executive members meeting in person such a meeting shall be held within 5 days of such request and no decision on the business that was to be determined by the Executive pursuant to this sub-rule shall be made pending that meeting.

The amended rule would then read, in full:

5 - BRANCH EXECUTIVE

(1) Between meetings of the Branch Council the management of the Branch shall be vested in a Branch Executive which shall pending the first meeting of the Branch Council have all the powers of Branch Council and thereafter between meetings of the Branch Council shall have all such powers except the powers to amend the Federal Branch Rules or the Branch Rules or the power to determine entrance fees and subscriptions or impose a levy or any power expressly reserved to itself by decision of Branch Council.

(2) Branch Executive shall fix and from time to time vary the salaries and allowances or honoraria payable to Branch officers and to confer on named officers or the holders of any named offices authority to employ retain and terminate the employment of such research clerical and other staff as shall be specified in a resolution of Branch Executive conferring such authority on such terms as Branch Executive or, if so decided by Branch Executive as such Branch officers shall see fit.

(3) Branch Executive shall meet at least 4 times in each calendar year at a time and place to be determined by the Executive and shall meet:

(a) Whenever the Branch Executive so determines.

(b) Whenever the Branch President, or on his/her absence, the Branch Senior Vice President so determines.

(c) Whenever a majority of members of the Executive so request in writing to the Branch Secretary.

(4) The Branch Executive shall as expeditiously as possible give effect to the decisions of Branch Council.

(5) Executive meetings shall be chaired by the Branch President or in his/her absence, the Branch Senior Vice President or in the absence of both a member of Branch Executive elected by the persons assembled for the meeting.

(6) The Branch President shall determine the agenda for any meeting of the Branch Executive. The Branch Secretary shall give each member of Branch Executive 3 days’ notice of any executive meeting and shall include with that notice a copy of such agenda.

(7) The agenda of Branch Executive shall include the agenda determined pursuant to sub-rule (6) of this rule and any item:

(a) which the Branch Council or Branch Executive has previously determined should be included;

(b) of which notice has been given in writing by a member of the Executive at least 10 days prior to the meeting;

(c) which the Branch Executive determines be included.

(8) The requirements of sub-rules (6) and (7) of this Rule as to notice are directory and not mandatory and the accidental omission to give any required notice or provide any agenda shall not itself invalidate any subsequent resolution of the Branch Executive.

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any meetings of the Branch Executive and Branch Council may be conducted in person, by post, including electronic post, by telephone or videoconference, or by a combination of these forms of meeting or communication. Where any such meeting is conducted other than by way of all of the participants being present in person, such meeting shall be as valid as if all participants had met in person provided that:

(a) any such meeting is convened and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the rules applicable to the meeting concerned, including (without limitation) the relevant rules relating to notice and quorum for the meeting; and

(b) each of the members participating in the meeting must be able to hear each of the other members present at the meeting.

(c) where one third of the members of the Executive request that an Executive meeting convened pursuant to this sub-rule be held only by the executive members meeting in person such a meeting shall be held within 5 days of such request and no decision on the business that was to be determined by the Executive pursuant to this sub-rule shall be made pending that meeting.

(10) A majority of the members of the Branch Executive shall constitute a quorum.

4. That Rule 5.1 – BRANCH EMERGENCY COMMITTEE be deleted and replaced by the following:

Rule 5.1 BRANCH EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

(1) There shall be a Branch Emergency Committee for the purpose of dealing with any urgent issues which may arise between meetings of the Branch Executive or to complete any unfinished business form Branch Executive meetings.

(2) The Branch Emergency Committee shall comprise the Branch President and four other Branch Executive member who shall be elected by and from members of the Branch Executive.

(3) To be eligible to nominate for, and hold the office of, Branch Emergency Committee member, a member must be a Branch Executive member.

(4) The term of office for Branch Emergency Committee members shall be three years.

(5) Nominations shall be called, by email notification to all members of the Branch Executive, for election to the Branch Emergency Committee as soon as practicable after the declaration of the Branch Executive poll.

(6) Nominations shall be in writing and shall be signed by the person accepting nomination and by two financial members of the Branch Executive proposing the nominee.

(7) The Branch Returning Officer, in consultation with the Branch Secretary and the Branch President, and subject to the Federal Rules and the Branch Rules, shall fix the date on which Branch Executive members are to elect members of the Branch Emergency Committee.

(8) The provisions of Rule 13 – CONDUCT OF ELECTION OF BRANCH SENIOR OFFICERS AND BRANCH EXECUTIVE, excluding subrule 9A and excluding all references to Team Nominations, shall apply to the election of Branch Emergency Committee members.

(9) (a) Vacancies which occur after the election for the office of Branch Emergency Committee member, where more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by the Branch Returning Officer conducting an election in accordance with these Federal Branch Rules to fill that vacancy. Any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.

(b) Vacancies which occur after the election for the office of Branch Emergency Committee member, with less than half of the term of office remaining, shall be filled by the Branch Executive appointing another Branch Executive member to the Branch Emergency Committee. The person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.

(10) Three members of the Branch Emergency Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(11) Meetings of the Branch Emergency Committee shall be convened by decision of the President or at the request of three members of the Committee.

(12) Meetings of the Branch Emergency Committee may be conducted in person or by telephone or videoconference and decisions of the Branch Emergency Committee may also be taken by vote communicated by way of postal ballot, email, telephone or videoconference .

(13) Subject to any express limitations on the powers of the Branch Emergency Committee, which may be imposed by Branch Council or Branch Executive, the Branch Emergency Committee may exercise all of the powers of the Branch Executive between meetings of Branch Executive.

(14) The Branch Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Branch Emergency Committee where it is practicable to do so.

(15) All business conducted and decisions taken by the Branch Emergency Committee must be reported to the next meeting of the Branch Executive by the President.

(16) The first election under these provisions shall be conducted in 2025.

Existing rule:

5.1 - BRANCH EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

(1) There shall be a Branch Emergency Committee for the purpose of dealing with any urgent issues which may arise between meetings of the Branch Executive or to complete any unfinished business from Branch Executive meetings.

(2) The Branch Emergency Committee shall comprise the Branch President and four other Branch Executive Members who shall be elected by and from members of the Branch Executive.

(3) Three members of the Branch Emergency Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(4) Meetings of the Branch Emergency Committee shall be convened by decision of the President or at the request of three members of the Committee.

(5) Meetings of the Branch Emergency Committee may be conducted in person or by telephone, and decisions of the Emergency Committee may also be taken by vote communicated by way of postal ballot, fax ballot or by email.

(6) Subject to any express limitation on the powers of the Branch Emergency Committee, which may be imposed by Branch Council or Branch Executive, the Branch Emergency Committee may exercise all of the powers of the Branch Executive between meetings of Branch Executive.

(7) The Branch Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Branch Emergency Committee where it is practicable to do so.

(8) All business conducted, and decisions taken, by the Branch Emergency Committee must be reported to the next meeting of Executive by the President on behalf of the Committee.

AEUBC04/24 AEU WA Branch Council financial statements and audited accounts

(Background attachment)

Recommendations

1. That the branch secretary report.

2. That the report be received.

3. That the Branch Council resolves:

The AEU WA Branch Council declares that in its opinion:

(a) the financial statements and notes comply with the Australian Accounting Standards;

(b) the financial statements and notes comply with the reporting guidelines of the General Manager;

(c) the financial statements and notes give a true and fair view of the financial performance, financial position and cash flows of the reporting unit for the financial year to which they relate;

(d) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the AEU WA Branch will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable; and

(e) during the financial year to which the general purpose financial report (GPFR) relates and since the end of that year:

(i) meetings of the Branch Council were held in accordance with the rules of the Australian Education Union (AEU) including the rules of the AEU WA Branch; and

(ii) the financial affairs of the AEU WA Branch have been managed in accordance with the rules of the AEU including the rules of the AEU WA Branch; and

(iii) the financial records of the AEU WA Branch have been kept and maintained in accordance with the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (‘RO Act’); and

(iv) The financial records of the AEU WA Branch have been kept, as far as practicable, in a consistent manner with each of the other Branches of the AEU; and

(v) where information has been sought in any request by a member of the AEU WA Branch or General Manager duly made under section 272 of the RO Act, that information has been provided to the member or General Manager; and

(vi) where any order for inspection of financial records has been made by the Fair Work Commission under section 273 of the RO Act, there has been compliance.

4. That the AEU WA Branch Council endorses the engagement of Moore Australia as auditors for the next financial year.

AEUBC05/24 Decisions from the SSTUWA June 2024 State Council Conference

Recommendations:

1. That the branch president report.

2. That the report be received.

3. That the decisions from the SSTUWA June 2024 State Council Conference be endorsed.