DET/TAFE Bulletin November, 2004

DUAL GRADED POSITIONS

Several years ago the Department created a situation in which certain job classifications - performing work traditionally defined as administrative and clerical - were remunerated at different rates depending on whether the incumbent was a registered (non-school based) teacher or public servant.

Since that time the situation has evolved, and the disparity in pay rates between teachers and public servants holding dual-graded positions has become quite considerable.

In our view, there are no reasonable grounds to justify why one class of employees should be paid more than another to do the same job.

We believe that the dual grading of classifications needs urgent review and remedial action, and the Association would like to hear from affected members and staff.

If you would like to be involved in developing our case for pay justice, please contact our A/g Industrial Officer Thane Pearce via email at:
tpearce@psa.asn.au.

SCHOOL EDUCATION AREA OFFICES

During negotiations between the Department and the Association over the 2003-2004 DET/TAFE restructure the Association raised a number of concerns we had in relation to the proposed staffing arrangements of SEA offices.

We argued that the proposed staffing levels significantly under estimated the real volume of work SEA's would be expected to undertake.

Nothing that has transpired since those discussions has led us to conclude differently.

Over the coming weeks and months the Association intends to conduct its own occupational health afety reviews of SEA offices. To this end, we would like to hear from members and staff working in SEA's.

In your view, what are the issues facing SEA's? What concerns would you like the PSA to raise with the Department?

If you're interested in providing comment or feedback, please contact Thane Pearce via email at:
tpearce@psa.asn.au.

INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES

The Association provides a host of industrial support services for union members.

If you have a situation that you believe needs our attention, please contact your relevant PSA Organiser:

DET - Adela Lyle, 9220 0929
TAFE - Irene MacBeth, 9220 0985

One of our chief concerns is that members are not contacting their relevant Organiser until their matter has escalated significantly. It's preferable if issues are raised directly with us early on, and dealt with by our experienced staff as soon as possible.

Our Organisers can be contact via email at either:
alyle@psa.asn.au or imacbeth@psa.asn.au

NEW MEMBERS

Are you interested in joining the PSA?

The PSA is one of Australia's oldest and strongest trade unions.

We are an organisation of NSW public sector workers, and together we work to win pay rises, improve working conditions and deliver equity and fairness in public sector employment.

To support your colleagues and your union, download a membership application form from:
http://www.psa.labor.net.au

DET/TAFE WORKPLACE MEETINGS

Please let us know if you would like to organise a workplace meeting.

Our Organiser's are always happy to meet with members during lunch, before or after hours, in formal and informal settings.

NORTHERN SYDNEY INSTITUTE

Many members will have recently attended meetings held by Institute management in relation to the educational support services review.

The PSA wishes to remind members that nothing is set in stone at this stage and many long hours of negotiation between the union and Institute management are yet to take place.

We encourage all members to get involved and have their say.

GENERAL ASSISTANTS & CARE TAKERS in TAFE

The Association wants to hear from General Assistants and Care Takers in TAFE regarding the payment of on-call allowances. We are concerned that some Institutes may not have been paying this allowance to eligible staff.

The PSA is currently running a case at the Hunter Institute and wants to hear from members in other Institutes regarding payment of their on-call allowance.

MAILING LIST

To get up-to-date union information, subscribe to the PSA's TAFE/DET MAILING LIST at:
lcarr@psa.asn.au