SAS Staff Newsletter - September 19

PSA Salaries Case

The PSA claim has been lodged in the IRC and conciliation hearings are being held to resolve any outstanding issues between the parties. If unsuccessful the matter will be arbitrated. Members will be kept informed of progress.

SAS Staff Recognition Week

Thank you to Principal, Ron Miles and staff at the school for hosting the launch. Ron spoke highly of the contribution made by SAS staff employed in NSW Government schools.

Feedback from members has been positive so congratulations to all who participated in Recognition Week.

Meal Breaks

8.1 Employees who work not less than four hours per day shall be entitled to an unpaid lunch break of not less than 30 minutes each day.

8.2 Employees who work more than two hours from the commencement of the school day shall be entitled to a paid morning tea break of 10 minutes each day.

8.3 To meet the needs of the school, the principal may vary the time at which the lunch and morning tea breaks are taken and may stagger lunch breaks.

The principal may vary the time breaks are taken but CANNOT vary the length of time taken i.e. shorten lunch breaks. This is a breach of the Award.

Members should contact the PSA if they are asked to shorten breaks.

From ANZ - Westpac

The Committee is addressing issues including assessment, project planning, training etc.

Twelve schools have been identified as pilot schools. Westpac and DET personnel will visit the sites to ensure the process runs efficiently.

The department has advised the PSA that it expects the transition to be smooth.

ERN

The Survey many of you completed convinced the DET to look again at ERN. They have now improved many of the reports and fixed some of the issues members raised and we took to the working party meeting. The improvements made so far have been as a result of PSA agitation.

The department now needs to improve their methods of communicating those changes and improvements to staff.

More training is needed and the DET is still maintaining that Treasury will not give them any more money. We are working with the RSRGs to find ways to ensure staff gain additional training.

Wage Increases and Industrial Action

The PSA is not sure why some SAS staff want to take strike action.

We believe that the recent teachers strike has 'stirred the possum'. Teachers went on strike because of a long running dispute with the Department about proposals to change staffing and transfer procedures and also to oppose the Government's Wages Policy (increases capped at 2.5%). The Teachers' current award expires at the end of this year.

The PSA, along with other public sector unions, also oppose the Government's Wages Policy. Unlike some other public sector unions, the PSA prepared a Salaries claim and lodged in the NSW IRC.

PSA members will receive increases without having to take industrial action and therefore will not lose money to achieve the increases.

The last round of salary increases SAS staff received 16% over four years without losing money through strike action and without suffering SAS Staff job cuts. Unfortunately, teachers lost income because of strike action.

PSA supports the right to strike and have directed strike action when necessary to achieve positive outcomes for members.

We share member's frustration with the Department's lack of speed dealing with our issues. However, your elected delegates continue to develop strategies to support members.

When we have exhausted all avenues we will use the Commission or take any action considered necessary but we have to be absolutely sure that members will support us.