REP’S HANDBOOK

AEU#

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welcome!

Dear AEU Representative,

On behalf of the members of the AEU may I sincerely thank you for

taking on this very important role.As the AEU representative you play

a vital part in the overall running of the AEU, in particular organising your sub-branch and recruiting new members.

The purpose of this publication is to assist you in your efforts by providing you with a range of useful information. It includes a rundown of the union’s services, advice on how to organise a sub-branch, how to implement your industrial agreement, how to raise the profile of the AEU at your workplace and how to recruit new members. To keep up-to-date with all AEU news please go to our website, www.aeuvic.asn.au, and subscribe to the e-newsletter.

Because the sub-branch representa-tive plays such a key role in our organi-sation, it is important that you receive the training that you require. A variety of training opportunities are available to help you in your work. Information is available on our website.

Again I would like to thank you for your ongoing support and valuable contribution to the AEU. We are a strong and growing union. The leadership, organisers, Membership Services Unit (MSU) and staff are available to assist with any queries, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

Mary BluettPresidentAEU Victorian Branch

contents3 Message from the president4 Who we represent4 What we stand for5 The structure of the AEU6 What is a sub-branch?7 The role of the rep7 Organising your sub-branch9 How to run a meeting10 Agreements10 Consultation12 Regional meetings12 AEU reps’ training13 Recruiting new members16 Your AEU team23 Contacts

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The structure of the AEU Victorian Branch is designed to allow plenty

of opportunities for involvement by members.

Branch Conference meets annually and is the supreme governing body of the union.

Branch Council is made up of about 120 members from all sectors of the union. This group meets twice each term to decide union policies related to educational and industrial issues.

The state is divided into regions that meet regularly. Any interested member can attend the AEU regional meetings to listen to and discuss

educational issues and to help shape union policy. Regional meetings are usually held twice a term. For dates and venues, see the AEU website.

Sub-branches or network groups are the engines which feed and drive the union at the local level. They usually consist of a group of members at workplaces.

Each workplace has its own AEU rep (representative) who is elected by the members. The rep is the AEU’s prime contact in the workplace.

Who we represent

Nationally the Australian Educa-tion Union (AEU) has 190,000

members. In Victoria there are more than 45,000 members from the early childhood, primary, secondary and TAFE and adult provision (TAP) sectors. The AEU is deeply committed to public education and access to high quality education by all people regardless of race, income or gender.

What we stand forThe AEU stands for:

• Strong advocacy for public education and those who work in it.

• Delivery of high quality, relevant services and advice to members

• Improving salaries, career struc-tures and working conditions for members

• Empowering members in their workplaces

• Encouraging active engagement of members in our union

• Ongoing growth in membership across our union to further our campaigning capacity and strength.

We are working to achieve these goals. We invite everyone who shares these goals to join with us. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall.

Sub-branches & workplaces

Sub-branches in institutes & workplaces

Branch Conference(meets annually)

Sector Council (meets 4 to 8 times per year)

Primary

TAFE sub-sector Disability services sub-sector AMES sub-sector

Secondary Early childhood TAFE & Adult Provision (TAP)

Branch Council(meets 8 times per year)

Branch Executive(meets fortnightly)

Regions

The structure of the AEU

About the AEU

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The role of the rep is essential in the AEU structure. You are the link

between the members in your workplace and the AEU centrally. The role will allow you to develop professionally because representing the union is a leadership role.

You will develop negotiation and organisational skills and work closely with members and the leadership or management team. The AEU will support you to fulfil this role with training, advice and mentoring.

You must have copies of current Agreements and Implementation Guides.

Organising your sub-branch

Active and effective sub-branches are the backbone of the AEU. A

strong workplace sub-branch ensures the implementation of agreements, represents members in local issues and develops policy, giving the union local relevance and legitimacy. It instils confidence in members and helps recruit new members. Active sub-branches also organise members to respond to campaigns through individual and local action.

The role of sub-branch rep takes up time so the most effective sub-branches have an executive to share the work, comprising the President, Secre-tary, Treasurer and other members if required.

In multi-campus workplaces you will need more than one AEU contact to ensure effective communication and organisation.

What is a sub-branch?

A sub-branch is the base on which our union is built. An AEU sub-branch

should be an influential, active and positive body.

Sub-branches should meet regularly and provide a forum for members to raise workplace issues, learn about their rights and entitlements, be briefed on the latest AEU news and campaigns, and influence decision-making in the workplace.

Sub-branches influence workplace decisions through representation on the local consultative structures, and help make AEU policy through sub-branch resolutions and attendance at regional meetings and other union forums. A sub-branch can be formed in any work-place with five or more members.

The union provides funds to

sub-branches to assist with their operations.

These funds can be used in a variety of ways including covering administra-tive costs, running social events and purchasing sub-branch equipment such as a banner.

Application forms for funding are posted early in the year and are avail-able on the website. Sub-branches are allocated $4 per equivalent full paying member. If accumulated funds exceed $15 per equivalent full paying member then only 50% of funds is remitted. If accumulated funds exceed $20 per equivalent full paying member no funds are remitted.

Sub-branch accounts should be established with VTCU (primary) and mecu (secondary and TAP)credit unions.

The role of the rep

AEU Reps on the webAEU reps have their own dedicated area of the AEU website at www.aeuvic.asn.au/reps.

You’ll find advice and resources to make your job as a rep easier, including forms, standing orders, advice sheets and more.

The reps area is in the members-only section of the website. To register for access to the members’ area, click on “Register” in the Members Login box on any page and follow the simple instructions.

www.aeuvic.asn.au/reps

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An executive should ensure: • AEU meetings are held regularly.

Place them on the yearly meeting schedule

• Meetings are run well• Annual elections are called for

positions on the executive• The AEU is represented in

consultation• Individual members are represented

as needed• Sub-branch issues are raised

through the consultative bodies• Members are advised when your

AEU organiser is visiting• Membership details are kept up to

date and passed on to membership records at the AEU

• AEU information is distributed• An AEU noticeboard is kept current• Recruitment is ongoing• The executive and other members

attend AEU training courses• Regional meetings are advertised

and workplaces represented at them.

If you email members please ensure this message is at the end of the email:

This message is for the named person’s use only. Intended recipients can only directly or indirectly use, disclose, distribute or copy any part of this message with the express permission of the sender. This message may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Australian Education Union - Victorian Branch and any of its subsidiaries each reserve the right to monitor all e-mail communications through its networks.Any views expressed in this message are those of the indi-vidual sender, except where the message states otherwise and the sender is authorized to state them to be the views of any such entity.

How to run a meeting

The AEU sub-branch should meet regularly and be included in the annual planner for meetings. There may not be a need for all the meetings planned but if there

is a regular time, members are prepared. Meetings should be well run and lead to decisions and outcomes.

Suggested meeting agenda

1. Meeting declared open New members should be welcomed and apologies noted. Attendance book, if kept, may be signed during meeting.

2. Confirmation of minutes Minutes of the previous meeting are considered. Preferably these have been circulated by email to members prior to the meeting. Motion proposed: “That minutes as read be confirmed”.

Moved … Seconded …

3. Business arising from minutes Comments …

4. Correspondence The secretary reads any correspondence. Motion proposed: “That the correspondence be received”. Moved … Seconded …

5. Financial report The sub-branch representative gives the financial report. Motion proposed: ‘That the financial report as given be received and recorded (in minute book) and accounts as presented be passed for payment’.

6. Further reports For example, report from consultative committee.

7. General business Where possible these resolutions should be written out and presented by members before the meeting or at a time determined by the meeting. Motion moved … Seconded … Amendment moved … Seconded … (Other amendments are noted and taken in their turn.) Comments …

8. Next meeting To be held at … on …

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The business of the consultative committee relates to the long term planning and operation of the school. This includes:

• School budget documents and planning

• Development of workforce plans including vacancies and contract conversions

• The planning and organisation of the program of instruction in the school

• The organisation of work, including face-to-face teaching requirements

• Organisation of classes including class sizes

• The composition of selection panels

As part of the consultative arrangements the principal will ensure that workforce planning information is available to staff to allow informed consultation to occur.

Further information is available on the AEU website, www.aeuvic.asn.au.

TAFEAn Institute Consultative Committee (ICC) will be established within one (1) month of the commencement of the Agreement for the purposes of imple-menting and monitoring the Agreement. The ICC will also be the forum through which the institute, its employees and the union consult generally on matters affecting employees. The committee shall meet during ordinary hours. Time allocations of an agreed amount additional to those provided elsewhere in the Agreement will be made from scheduled duties for employee repre-sentatives on the ICC.

The ICC will comprise two institute representatives, and two elected employee representatives who may be from the union. It is recognised that from time to time additional representation on behalf of the institute or the employees may be involved.

The ICC will meet regularly, and as required, to discuss issues outlined in sub-clause 9.1 and on any other matter on which consultation may be required. The ICC will provide a report and/or recommendation, as appropriate, to the director on the matter/s under discus-sion. The institute will provide the time and resources necessary for the ICC to perform its role.

If the institute proposes changes that are likely to have a significant effect on employees covered by the Agree-ment, the institute will consult with those employees, their elected repre-sentatives and the union through the ICC prior to the proposed changes being implemented.

Agreements

Every three years the AEU negotiates an industrial agreement for members

in each sector. These negotiations are with the respective employers.

Agreements set out your salaries, conditions and entitlements for the three years of operation and are the basis of the employment relationship between you and your employer.

Agreement implementation and interpretation are the legitimate concerns of AEU sub-branches and their members. This is the starting point for consultation.

Agreements, implementation guides and support materials are available on the AEU website www.aeuvic.asn.au. Members should set up their login to access information which is not avail-able to non-members.

Leading up to negotiations for new Agreements, the AEU seeks input from sub-branches regarding the new Log of Claims.

Consultation

Staff morale and employee job satisfaction are enhanced when the

views of the employees are taken into account before decisions are made.

SchoolsThe principal must put in place formal staff consultation structures that ensure school staff and the union at the school have the choice and opportunity to be involved in decision making in the school. The Agreements for teachers and Education Support staff both stress that consultation involves staff members being given a genuine opportunity to influence decisions which affect their working lives.

The consultative arrangements must allow for the direct input of staff and the union at the school and include the operational procedures. The consultative arrangements must provide workplace representatives with the opportunity and time to canvass the views of staff to ensure informed consultation can occur.

implementation guide

2008

A u s t r A l i A n E d u c At i o n u n i o n V i c t o r i A n B r A n c h

V i c t o r i A n g o V E r n m E n t s c h o o l s ’ A g r E E m E n t

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implementation guide

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s c h o o l s E r V i c E s o f f i c E r s Ag r E E m E n t

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EDUCATION SUPPORT

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Regional meetings

Regional meetings are held on a regular basis and are open to all

members. Each sub-branch should try to have at least one member at these meetings. These meetings are run by regional councillors in connection with regional organisers, and are informative and social. You can keep up to date with what is happening and network with other members. They are also a forum to generate discussion and debate in relation to all sectors, and have input into AEU policy.

AEU reps’ training

Training and support courses for sub-branch representatives are a major

union priority. For schools, we run over 30 AEU Active courses for teachers and education support staff each year. CRT costs are covered to release you from your school. This allows members to develop their skills and knowledge to operate effective sub-branches, recruit new members and represent the inter-ests of members in their workplace.

We also run a series of after-school sessions on a range of topics. Training for schools is advertised on the website at www.aeuvic.asn.au/training.

Training officers are available to run professional development sessions at schools. Contact us for further information on 03 9417 2822 or melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au.

Training for TAFE

Training for TAFE Institute Consulta-tive Committee (ICC) and workplace

representatives includes:• Running a successful sub-branch• Dispute resolution• Casual conversion,• Work plans• Know your Agreement Contact your local and organiser to

arrange a workplace session.

AEU membership continues to grow. However, many non-members have

simply never been asked to join the AEU. Union members should actively seek out non-members, and offer them positive reasons for joining the AEU. Don’t forget to speak to CRTs, sessionals and anyone studying to enter the educa-tion industry.

• Approach all non-members to join• Allocate a member to each non-member to remind them of the need to join• Be aware of the broad benefits of being a member• Keep the approach short, updated and regular• When the union has a victory, point out the benefits that flow to non-members• Hold union functions and invite non-members• Invite your organiser to address non-members on a particular issue, such as

legal liability• In schools and early childhood, beginning teachers are offered discounted

subscription rates for the first three years, in recognition of HECs repayments• In schools, education support staff are also encouraged to join the union; they

only pay 60% of the teacher’s rate in line with their wages. The AEU has the lowest membership fees of any union covering ES staff

• Your organiser can give advice on developing a recruitment plan• In TAFE there are discounted subscription rates for Industrial Skills Instructors

and also for casual teachers• Casual conversion in TAFE: encourage non-members to join and receive the

union’s support in the conversion process• Contract conversion to ongoing in TAFE: encourage non-members to join and

receive the union’s support in this process.

Recruiting new members

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Benefits of union membership• Insurance for your professional

future• Industrial and legal protection• Improvements in working

conditions, salaries and career structures

• Opportunities to participate in policy development and campaigns

• Advice and representation on all aspects of your working life

• Professional development• Exclusive extras such as access

to Teachers Health Fund, free legal advice, free financial advice, Trade Union Shopper, and mecu (secondary and TAP) and VTU (primary and early childhood) credit unions.

You may be told, ‘It’s too expensive to join.’

Do you insure your car?

Surely, your job is worth more than your car?

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AEU Victorian Branch head office

PO Box 363, Abbotsford 3067

Telephone: (03) 9417 2822, 1800 013 379, 1800 013 387

Fax: 1300 658 078

Email: melbourne@aeuvic .asn .au

AEU Ballarat office

608 Sturt Street

Ballarat 3350

Telephone: (03) 5331 1155

1800 013 039

Fax: (03) 5333 7105

AEU Benalla office

90-94 Nunn Street, Benalla, 3672

PO Box 861, Benalla, 3672 (for all postage)

Telephone (03) 5762 2714

1800 013 994

Fax: (03) 5762 6955

AEU Gippsland office

Level 1, 42 Buckley Street

Morwell 3840

Telephone: (03) 5134 8844, 1800 013 979

Fax: (03) 5133 6120

AEU Bendigo office

89 Williamson Street

Bendigo 3550

Telephone: (03) 5442 2666

1800 013 990

Fax: (03) 5441 4090

AEU Geelong office

Suite 2, Ormond House, 109 Yarra Street

Geelong 3220

Telephone: (03) 5222 6633

1800 133 853

Fax: (03) 5222 6599

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April10MembershipForm_girl.indd 2

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You may be asked, ‘What’s the union ever done for me?’ Much of the work of the union is not always obvious — advice and support for individual members, legal represen-tation, and advocacy with government and employers.

Some of our achievements are more public:

• In industrial agreements for school teachers, ES staff, TAFE, disability, AMES and Early childhood

• The establishment of education as the Victorian electorate’s number one priority, through the AEU’s Public Education Campaign

• State budget submissions leading to increases in funding for state education

• Ongoing campaigning for public education in both the state and federal arenas

• Advocacy and promotion of the profession.

Membership subscriptions represent approximately 0.8 per cent of your full time salary — and your tax return will ensure you get back part of your AEU subscription.

Each new agreement delivers signifi-cant salary increases.

One day in court equals four year’s membership.

A union official to support you through a WorkCover claim or Merit Protection Board case, WorkCover or legal proceedings — priceless.

Membership of Teachers Health Fund alone is a significant cost saving for members.

Work towards 100 per cent union membership

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Membership Services UnitThe Membership Services Unit is just a phone call away. These officers provide immediate advice on all your workplace enquiries. It helps if you have the necessary documents when you call — pay slip, correspondence, full name of member etc.

AEU leadership

The AEU Victorian Branch is headed by an elected leadership. These 12 leaders represent the four sectors which consti-

tute the union membership. They are supported by metropolitan and regional organisers, the Membership Services Unit, and by industrial, research and other staff.

Gillian RobertsonDeputyBranchSecretary

Meredith PeaceDeputyBranchPresident

Mary BluettBranchPresident

Brian HendersonBranchSecretary

Cross-sectoral

Carolyn ClancyVicePresident,Primary

Justin MullalyVicePresident,Secondary

Erin AulichDeputyVicePresident,Secondary

James RankinDeputyVicePresident,Primary

Schools

Shayne QuinnVicePresident,EarlyChildhood

Martel MenzDeputyVicePresident,EarlyChildhood

Early Childhood

Jo FogartyVicePresident,TAP

Mark HydeDeputyVicePresident,TAP

TAFE and Adult Provision

David Bunn

Fiona Sawyer

Margaret Pekin

Glenda Piddington

Ken Sampson

Denise Welling

Contact the MSU on (03) 9417 2822 or 1800 013 379

between 8.30am & 5pm Monday to Friday.

THEY’RE HERE TO HELP!

Your AEU team

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Andrew CassidyGraduateteachers

Marylouise Chapman

Michael ClavenBendigoLCM

Meaghan Flack

Rosemary CroweGeelongBSW

Kim DalyTrainingofficer

Tony Delaney

Andrew Ferguson

Organisers

Janet MarshallOHS

Kathryn LewisEducationSupport

Bob MaguireOHS

Jeff GrayGippsland

Peter HendricksonAEUPrincipals

Mark Hopper

John Handley

Kerry Maher

Barb JenningsWomen’sofficer

John OakleyBenallaHume

Bob ParrAEUPrincipals

Jeff WaltersAEUPrincipals

Erich SinkisBallaratCHW

Helen Stanley

Jeff Slingsby

Rowena MatcottTrainingofficer

Joe MulhallEach AEU region has at least one organiser who visits your

workplace and will assist you and your members with advice and information. Organisers are also part of teams and work together to run targeted campaigns and training across the state.

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Graduate teachersAndrew Cassidy is the graduate teacher organiser. Andrew organises our programs in the universities and all the structures focused on graduate teacher involvement.

AEU PrincipalsBob Parr, Jeff Walters and Peter Hendrickson are AEU principal organ-isers. AEU Principals is the largest prin-cipal class organisation in Victoria.

Women’s officerBarb Jennings is the women’s officer. Barb runs a women’s program which includes an annual dinner and conference, metropolitan and regional professional development sessions, opportunities for women activists to spend time at the AEU in the Anna Stewart Memorial Project, and representation and advice on matters which impact particularly on women.

Occupational health and safetyJanet Marshall and Bob Maguire work with elected workplace health and safety reps, sub-branches and princi-pals to protect and improve OHS in our workplaces.

Disability organisersKerry Maher and Meaghan Flack cover the disability sector along with the country organisers.

TAFE organisersAndrew Ferguson, John Handley, Joe Mulhall, Jeff Slingsby, Marylouise Chapman and our country organisers cover TAFE institutes across the state.

Education SupportKathryn Lewis is the Education Support staff organiser and works statewide supporting, representing and training our members.

Research and IndustrialResearch and industrial staff are also available for member advice.

Our research officers are John Graham and Justin Bowd. Their work informs AEU policy and campaigns. The AEU’s industrial officers are David Colley and Eddie Johnson, providing legal and industrial advice to members and the union.

The AEU has established an email network for members who are school curriculum co-ordinators and profes-sional development co-ordinators. You can join the network by emailing john.graham@aeuvic.asn.au.

Information ServicesInformation services staff are happy to help with any information queries you might have. They are located at the AEU office in Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford. Lynn Vines is the AEU librarian. Hours are from 9.00am to 4.30pm. Email: library@aeuvic.asn.au.

PublicationsOur publications unit of journalists and designers keeps members up to date with union news and campaigns through AEU News magazine, our termly sector newsletters, and our fortnightly e-news-letter. It also designs and produces most AEU publications, from bumper stickers to campaign posters to this booklet.

Email the unit with feedback or tip-offs at aeunews@aeuvic.asn.au. To subscribe to our e-newsletter, fill out the box on the front of the website at www.aeuvic.asn.au.

The work of the union is also supported by our membership records and adminis-trative teams.

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RegionalAEU Ballarat office608 Sturt StreetBallarat 3350Tel: (03) 5331 1155, 1800 013 039Fax: (03) 5333 7105Email: ballarat@aeuvic.asn.au

AEU Benalla office90-94 Nunn StreetBenalla 3672Tel: (03) 5762 2714, 1800 013 994Fax: (03) 5762 6955Email: benalla@aeuvic.asn.au

AEU Bendigo office89 Williamson StreetBendigo 3550Tel: (03) 5442 2666, 1800 013 990Fax: (03) 5441 4090Email: bendigo@aeuvic.asn.au

AEU Geelong officeSuite 2, Ormond House, 109 Yarra StreetGeelong 3220Tel: (03) 5222 6633, 1800 133 853Fax: (03) 5222 6599Email: geelong@aeuvic.asn.au

AEU Gippsland officeLevel 1, 42 Buckley StreetMorwell 3840Tel: (03) 5134 8844, 1800 013 979Fax: (03) 5133 6120Email: gippsland@aeuvic.asn.au

MetropolitanAEU Victorian Branch head office112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford 3067Postal Address: PO Box 363, Abbotsford 3067Tel: (03) 9417 2822, 1800 013 379Fax: 1300 658 078Email: melbourne@aeuvic.asn.auWeb: www.aeuvic.asn.au

ContactsTeachers Health FundTeachers Health Fund is a not for profit private health insurance fund for AEU members and their families. Teachers Health Fund was established in 1954 and today looks after 97,000 policy holders (incorporating 220,000 lives) in the education community throughout Australia. The AEU has two officers from the Health Fund based at the building available for school visits and health insurance advice. Contact Sarah Kupsch or Vince Raschilla on 03 9417 2822.

SuperannuationBarb Norris, Dean Glare and Christine Stewart are your representatives on the VicSuper and ESSSuper Boards. They are available to answer all your ques-tions about superannuation. They do not give financial advice.

Financial AdviceWe refer our members to Retirement Victoria, which has advisers who work from our Abbotsford office on Tuesday and Thursday.

Professional DevelopmentThe Teacher Learning Network (TLN) is a not-for-profit company supported by the AEU Victorian branch and the Victorian Independent Education Union (VIEU) to provide professional devel-opment for education workers. It runs seminars, face to face and online, produces professional publications and develops resources for use across all sectors. TLN is a membership-based organisation with schools and institu-tions joining for an annual fee. A course directory is sent to all TLN members at the beginning of each year. See more at www.tln.org.au.

The Victorian Educational Leadership Consortium is also based at the AEU and provides high quality professional development for aspiring and serving school leaders. Their programs focus on the initiation, development and delivery of professional development to build leadership capacity and support school improvement. www.velc.org.au

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AEU Victorian Branch head office112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford 3067Postal Address: PO Box 363, Abbotsford 3067Tel: (03) 9417 2822, 1800 013 379Fax: 1300 658 078Email: melbourne@aeuvic.asn.auWeb: www.aeuvic.asn.au

Ensuring AEU

members are OK!