Tell us your storiesThis is your newsletter — and we want to hear from you

Important news for school council employees

Mary Bluett branch president

THIS is your newsletter. It aims to inform you, empower you, encourage your involvement in

your union and give you access to training and professional development.

Education support membership continues to grow — and grow! ES representation on branch council has also grown, ensuring ES members have a strong voice in our union and our union is stronger as a result.

ES members were again represented at our Fed-eral AEU Conference held in January. Katrina Tenson, ES member from Broadmeadows Special Develop-ment School was an elected delegate and Sylvia Ganosis of Macarthur Street PS in Ballarat attended as a registered observer.

Katrina addressed conference on the importance of ES participation at all levels of the union and urged other states and territories to include ES members in their delegations (see page 3). She did ES members, and the AEU Victorian branch, proud.

It is important that ES members are also active at the school level. Becoming involved is key to ensur-ing ES issues are central to your school operations. The ES Agreement gives you rights and guaranteed participation in the consultation processes (see “New members start here”, page 3).

The AEU gives ES members access to quality training and professional development.

Our ES statewide conference is always popular and was oversubscribed again last year. Watch out for it in Term 3 and be early to register!

We introduced a specific conference for business

managers last year and due to strong demand will run it again this year (also in Term 3).

In addition we will run a series of regional confer-ences and AEU Active training courses for country members. We recognise the need to make profes-sional development more accessible for those in the regions.

As I said, this is your newsletter. If you have any issues you want us to cover in future editions let us know.

We are also keen to run stories about ES mem-bers. Do you have a good consultative committee, active sub-branch, strong recruitment, a great ES representative? We can learn from each other — share your stories. ◆

Anna Stewart Memorial ProjectTHE Anna Stewart

Memorial Project is a developmental program for women unionists who are interested in getting more involved in the union.

It runs for two weeks, twice a year. The first dates for 2010 are Monday May 3 to Friday May 14.

The AEU will pay replacements costs to your workplace to allow you to attend. Country members are particularly encouraged to apply, and assistance with accommodation and transport is available.

If you are interested in applying or would like more information, please go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/women or contact Barb Jennings or Gayle Bernhardt on (03) 9418 4860 or email gayle.bernhardt@aeuvic.asn.au. ◆

Kathryn Lewis ES organiser

ATTENTION — are you a school council employee? If the answer is yes then you

may wish to bring this article to the attention of your principal.

At the end of last year there was a significant change in attitude by the Education Department towards school council employees — one that could have a significant impact on ES staff and your school’s budget.

School council employees have redeploy-ment rights, and it has been common practice for them to be redeployed into centrally adver-tised positions on Recruitment Online.

However a stricter interpretation by the department means this can no longer happen. The department argues that redeployment arrangements apply only to the relevant employer — in other words, ES staff employed

by school councils can only be redeployed into vacancies with that school council.

This means school council ES staff cannot fully exercise their redeployment rights. The most straightforward solution is for school council employees to be placed on the central departmental payroll. This will ensure that ES staff have real access to redeployment rights if and when they need them.

There is potentially a significant cost saving to schools by having their ES staff on the central payroll. Ongoing employees in excess who cannot be referred receive a targeted separation package which is funded from the school budget — that could mean a costly shock for schools.

For more information on this issue please read the article in the latest AEU News or contact our Membership Services Unit on 1800 013 379. ◆

Participants in 2009’s Anna Stewart Memorial Project

EDUCATION SUPPORTSUPPLEMENT TO THE AEU NEWS • MARCH 2010

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SOME schools may still be determining their staffing needs for 2010. If your school is one of

them, then there may be no need to advertise any new or unfilled ongoing positions — translating an ES from contract to ongoing may often do the trick.

Sub-branches, through the consultative commit-tee, should look to maximise the number of ongoing ES staff — and this can be done without advertising.

Ongoing employment — without advertisingThe ES Agreement (at clause 17(2)(f-g)) allows for eligible contract staff to be offered an ongoing

position — without advertising — if the school has a suitable position available.

To be eligible an ES must have been employed continuously for longer than 12 months (in one or more contracts) and gained the contract(s) through an advertised vacancy.

If there is an eligible ES employee and a suitable ongoing position at the school, the position must not be advertised statewide but instead should be offered to the eligible ES. If there is more than one eligible person at the school then a local merit selec-tion process should be conducted.

Trouble in lieu over recallRecall and time in lieu do not have to be difficult — there is a way to work things out so they are fair and work for ES and schools.Kathryn Lewis ES organiser

RECALL is an issue that continues to be raised by members. At times it can become quite conten-

tious for schools who struggle to manage it in a way that is fair and equitable for all staff.

There is also often confusion about the relation-ship between the recall and time in lieu (TIL). The answer is to gain a better understanding of both entitlements.

A 48/52 calendar year ES employee can be recalled for duty and/or professional development up to six days per year (or pro rata). But it does not automatically follow that you will be recalled.

Through consultation, schools should deter-mine if ES need to be recalled. The need may vary depending on work areas, roles and responsibilities. Schools should only recall staff if there is worth-while work for them to do that is consistent with

their normal roles and responsibilities.If there is no real work for ES staff to do, then

they should not be recalled.This may mean that some ES staff are recalled

and others are not — and this is where the tension arises for schools. But there are ways it can be overcome so that all staff are treated fairly.

Developing a local agreement for recall can resolve the issue by striking a balance that suits individual ES and the school.

Time in lieu (TIL)Did you know that time in lieu:

• Is supposed to be a deterrent, to stop the employer asking you to work more than your normal hours?

• Can only be required if the work is unavoid-able and reasonable notice is given?

• Must be approved by the principal — before

it is undertaken?• Can be repaid by taking time off at the discre-

tion of the principal with regard to the needs of the employee?

• Can be paid out if the principal and the employee agree?

The AEU is concerned that some schools are still telling ES staff that they “owe” the school recall days and must by do TIL to offset it. This is wrong.

TIL work must not be “created” to offset recall. Developing a local agreement can resolve this issue as well. The policy should outline what is considered as approved time in lieu (camps, meetings etc), how it is recorded and taken.

The AEU can send members and sub-branches a fact sheet to help develop a local agreement around recall and TIL. For more information please call the MSU on (03) 9417 2822. ◆

AD-FREE employmentSchools should not advertise ongoing vacancies on Recruitment Online if they have eligible contract staff available.

One more contract — without advertisingAlso under the agreement (at clause 17(2)(c)(ii)), ES staff who are employed on a contract gained through an advertised vacancy can be offered one further period of employment without their job being readvertised.

In this case the new contract cannot be for lon-ger than the original vacancy and must still satisfy at least one of the reasons for offering a contract rather than an ongoing position in the first place.

For advice about your own circumstances contact the MSU on (03) 9417 2822. ◆

2 ES newsletter | march 2010

Give us a national voiceBroadmeadows SDS member Katrina Tenson was Victoria’s first ES delegate to AEU federal conference. This is the speech she gave.

THIS is a first for the Vic branch — to have an allied staff person as a

delegate at federal conference. I feel proud and privileged to be that person.

As members, we have come a long way over the years. Our voice continues to get louder as our membership grows.

But we need to continue to remind our colleagues and others to use inclusive language when talking about staff in schools and education.

If we can get everyone to recognise that we too are educa-tors, then hopefully this will assist us in our endeavour for better recognition and improved pay and conditions.

Yesterday I attended the special interest caucus for allied staff. There were only four of us there — myself, Sylvia Gano-sis (Vic branch observer), David Kelly (union official, WA) and Rob Durbridge (federal officer).

We asked why there was no national support staff meeting in 2009 and proposed that one should be held every year, to assist with networking and information gathering, especially considering the national bargaining framework.

We seek to have allied staff issues form part of the national bargaining framework, and be represented in the drafting process. We ask that all branches consider this when bargain-ing minimum standards for allied staff.

There was also mention that many early childhood as-sistants in Victoria will require a minimum of Certificate 3 in children’s services from 2012 to enable them to work in the early childhood field. We would like to know the union position regarding qualifications for allied staff.

We spoke about the lack of allied staff representation on the Merit Protection Board in Victoria. We wanted to know, are allied staff represented on similar boards — appeal boards and disciplinary tribunals — in other states and territories?

It is with pleasure that I inform conference that the Victorian allied staff membership has grown to over 4000 since 2008–09. … The only way to improve our position is to swell our numbers nationally; this will in turn raise the profile of all allied staff and highlight our invaluable contribution to the education of all Australian children and the AEU.

In ending, we would like to ask every branch with allied staff members to consider providing an allied staff delegate or observer position at the next federal conference. ◆

New members START HERE So you’ve joined the AEU — what now? Training officer Rowena Matcott answers some common questions from new members.I am a new AEU member at my school. What should I be doing?I’d start by introducing yourself to the AEU rep at your school so they know you have joined. AEU reps receive updated member lists in Term 1 so they know how many members are at the school. However, our schools are busy places and it is easy to lose track. It is also good for you to know which of your colleagues is a member.

How do I participate in the union at my school?Ask the rep to let you know when and where the sub-branch meets. Attend those meet-ings and ask questions and raise issues — there is no such thing as a silly question! It is important to have ES input into the sub-branch to ensure that issues from all staff are discussed. In some schools the rep is an ES.

Is there an ES rep on the AEU sub-branch executive?Your sub-branch should aim to skill up all teacher members in ES conditions and all ES members in teacher conditions. A shared understanding of both agreements is important, as school decisions impact on all staff. If your school does not have an ES rep maybe you should suggest it.

How does consultation work?The consultation clauses in both the ES Agreement and the Schools Agreement (for teachers) are identical. This means that ES staff must be part of the consultation process in all schools.

ES views and concerns must be heard before decisions are made that affect their working life. All schools must have an agreed consultation process and the sub-branch has a vital role in the developing this. It is essential that ES staff play a part.

What training and support can the AEU offer me?The AEU offers training to all members so that you are fully informed of your industrial entitlements and have access to professional development.

Our specialised training officers coordinate a wide range of conferences, training courses, forums and workshops around the state, and can also run a range of work-shops at your school, tailored to your needs — the back page of this newsletter sets out many of the upcoming events this year.

To get the most out of your AEU membership you need to be informed and under-stand your entitlements and how they can be implemented at your school. As a new AEU member it is important to read the information that the AEU sends you and it’s a good idea to attend some of our training.

Any questions?If you have questions or are not sure of what or how to do something then please contact us.

The Membership Services Unit (MSU) is a group of six people whose role is to answer members’ questions by phone or email. You could also contact your local organiser who is responsible for your school and those in your local area, or call our ES organiser Kathryn Lewis, our training organisers, women’s officer or leadership.

The sub-branch is there to support you and you are there to support the sub-branch. Be active, get involved — and have your say. ◆

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Training for AEU MEMBERSThis year’s AEU training and conference program is the union’s biggest ever — with a host of opportunities tailored especially for ES members.

Kim Daly and Rowena Matcott AEU training officers

THE AEU has a wealth of experience in education and a strong commitment to meeting both the industrial and professional training needs of members.Understanding how our schools are managed and being aware of your rights

and entitlements are key steps towards improving conditions for ES staff. The AEU wants to work with you to develop your understanding of the agreement

and give you the ability to gain the full benefits. Through the implementation of our agreements and with the support of

members, the AEU has the potential to improve the working conditions of all staff in schools — and the quality of our state education system.

As our membership grows, so does our conference program and training options. This page sets out what’s coming up this year for ES members. ◆

AEU ACTIVE TRAININGThe two-day AEU Active training courses are highly recommended and the AEU will meet the cost of replacing you while you’re at the course. There is no cost to you or your school.

Two of the many highlights of the course are the wonderful food and conversations you will enjoy with like-minded AEU ES members — the networking opportunities are invaluable. It is also a great op-portunity to get to know your AEU organiser and many other staff — and more importantly, how we can support you and your sub-branch.

So book yourself in and enjoy some great union training and company. For more details about AEU Active and a full calendar of AEU training and PD, go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/training or contact rhonda.webley@aeuvic.asn.au.

TERM ONEMarch 2–3 Statewide AEU BuildingMarch 16–17 South Region Dandenong Club March 17–18 Gippsland Region LeongathaMarch 11 **One Day for New Reps AEU Building

TERM TWO April 22–23 Warrnambool Region Café Regal,

WarrnamboolApril 28–29 Statewide AEU BuildingMay 4–5 Benalla Region AEU Benalla OfficeMay 4–5 South Region Mornington Golf ClubMay 25–26 East/South East Regions Croydon Golf ClubMay 25–26 Geelong Kirrewur Court,

NewtownJune 1–2 Special Schools statewide AEU BuildingJune 1–2 West Region Venue TBC

MEMBER FORUMSWe run member forums after school as another option for members who told us that they are unable to attend PD during school hours. We look forward to seeing if this format is welcomed by members.

We are keen to listen to any other suggestions about how to best meet your industrial and professional needs — just let us know.

Forums run from 4.30–6pm at the AEU office in Abbotsford.

March 9 — Know your ES Agreement

March 11 — Legal liability

ES REGIONAL CONFERENCESOur regional conferences continue to create interest. We have taken members’ advice and reduced the number of workshops, allow-ing more time on each topic. Last year we introduced a very popular Q&A session from our metro conference, which we will continue. Venus for some conferences have yet to be arranged — check our website for more details.

Geelong region: March 23, Kirrewur Court, Newtown Benalla region: May 12, Wodonga Bendigo region: June 23, MaryborougSouth-east/South regions: September 14, Pakenham Cultural CentreBallarat region: October 27, Stawell

ES METROPOLITAN CONFERENCEOur Melbourne Metropolitan continues to sell out, so watch out for registration forms faxed to schools and emailed to members at the beginning of Term 3.August 6 Statewide AEU Building

Business managers conferenceWe introduced a specific conference for our business managers last year and we will be developing this initiative further. We would be interested in hearing ideas from business managers on how this could be developed to meet your industrial needs.July 22 Statewide AEU Building

4 ES newsletter | march 2010