We are the members, and together ... we are strong.
The only claim we’d like to make ... is to see ... justice done.
We paid our union dues and we rallied for fair pay
It is teachers at the coal-face, that executive’s betrayed.
We are teachers - united, and we don’t believe their spin.
The fact the union’s pushing it is the real bloody sin
What they need to recognise is what we really want.
Is a fair go for ALL teachers and ... security for jobs.
Come along, and tell the union.
Stand together, vote NO one and all.
We're after fair pay, and a real say.
Members united, together for the cause.
Teachers united, together for the cause.
We're a powerful collective, and it needs to be said.
it’s not right for unions and governments to share the one bed
No ambit claims or unfair aims –this ones a dud and you knew it
Its time to renegotiate - SO DO IT MARY BLUETT!
For a graduate from uni ... there’d be somewhat more.
But it’s not just them but EVERYONE that we’ve been fighting for
We've had enough, we're voting NO ... together hand in hand.
Education revolution ... for the children of our land.
Come along, and tell the union.
Stand together, vote NO one and all.
We're after fair pay, and a real say.
Members united, together for the cause.
Teachers united, together for the cause.
Lyrics readapted by Lisa Shukroon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrhmGhaDkdo&feature=related
Saturday, May 31, 2008
You spin me right round....
Many of us not only took strike action but attended rallies - I think we should all make the symbolic gesture of going to the AEU ratification meeting to voice our "NO" loud and clear - even if we can't vote. I might even have a go at re-penning some sing-alongs. We all know how stirring they were at the rallies - unfortunately the only lyrics that comes to mind for our esteemed executive is "you Spin me right round"...
Cheers,
Lisa
Cheers,
Lisa
Vote No and continue the campaign.
Why did AEU Council call off the most powerful weapon in our campaign (NAPLAN stopworks) before the deal had even been reported to members?
| Teachers Alliance www.teachers-alliance.org |
Mary Bluett argues that voting ‘NO’ will mean that we go back to square 1 and lose public support and that to restart the campaign will be difficult. The logic of this argument is that once the AEU Council recommends any agreement for ratification, the membership has no choice but to accept it. Do Mary Bluett and her team not value the input of the members and regard the ratification process as a charade?
We clearly need a different process of ratification. We need one that allows members to make the decision about calling off any industrial action and whether or not to reject or accept a deal.
CONTINUE THE CAMPAIGN! When it is explained to the public that the deal was a fraud and unjust and there were no improvements on class sizes, they will continue to support us. |
| |
____________________________________________________________________________Please copy this leaflet and distribute it to members at your school and other schools.
Download this leaflet from our web site and email to your colleagues.
Contact us at teachersalliance@hotmail.com
For more information go to our website www.teachers-alliance.org
Translation of salary rises in the proposed new agreement taking account of movements in the CPI.
| Old agreement | New-agreement | May 11 2208 rise | Jan 2009 | Jan 2010 | Jan 2011 | Net % movement by 2011 # |
| E3a 66,267 | E4 75,500 | 13.6 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | rise of 5.3 |
| E3 65,414 | E3 68,619 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| E2 63,447 | E2 66,556 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| E1 61,539 | E1 64,554 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| A5 59,401 | A5 62,312 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| A4 57,755 | A4 60,585 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| A3 56,154 | A3 58,906 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| A2 54,598 | A2 57,273 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| A1 53,084 | A1 55,686 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| G4 50,184 | G2 52,643 | 4.9 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.4 |
| G3 48,793 | G1 51,184 | 4.5 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | fall of 3.8 |
| G2 47,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| G1 46,127 |
| 11.0 *1 | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | rise of 2.7 |
# This estimate aims to differentiate between ‘money’ and ‘real’ wages. That is, the changes in salaries after movements in the CPI have been taken account of.
In this case they are the following: (1) Our last pay rise was in October 2006 and the CPI has risen by about 5% since. Therefore we needed to gain 5% to put us back in the position we were 18 months ago. (2) Currently inflation is running at slightly over 4% p.a. While it if difficult to estimate future CPI rises, it is likely that the combined rises over the three years duration of this agreement will be about 12%. Further increases in salaries of this magnitude will be necessary to maintain real wages.
Hence calculation for the top of the scale is: rises 13.6 + 2.9 +2.9 + 2.9 = 22.3% inflationary effects 5 + 12 = 17%. Net rise in real wages 5.3%
It is important to note that teachers can make no further pay claims for the duration of this proposed agreement.
BK May 19 2008
1 This classification will no longer exist and teachers will begin on the new G1 which equates with an 11% pay rise.
The pay rise you may not have heard about!
The restructure to the incremental scale and the removal of the bottom two levels has resulted in an interesting situation. Any teacher who gains a new appointment will move to the appropriate increment point based on their years of service. For example a teacher who is currently a G4 earning $50,184 now on a contract would move in this agreement to G2 being $52.643 + $1,000. However when they get a new contract or are appointed to an advertised on-going vacancy in the following year they would translate on appointment to A2. That means their salary will be $58,825 in January 09! This also includes teachers on a contract who are translated to ongoing positions under the new agreement!
James Rankin
James Rankin
A clever nation needs its teacher shortage filled, pronto (Age letter, NAOMI SCHWARTZ, Brunswick)
As a bemused member of the general public, I read The Sunday Age editorial, "A clever nation needs its teacher shortage filled, pronto" (May 25) with surprise and a degree of shock. How is it that we are hearing about teacher shortages and a fast ageing workforce just a fortnight after the government, the media and the Australian Education Union all proclaimed Victorian teachers as "the highest paid in the country"? Those greedy teachers are rolling in it, and yet we still can't staff our schools? Or maybe, since the "largest grouping of teachers in Victorian schools is those aged 50 to 54", the problem is that young people these days are just plain lazy. But as a talented young teacher in her eighth year in the profession, with two degrees and head of a department in a large inner-city high school, I can answer the question with ease. It's an issue of fair pay. It takes more than 11 years to reach the top pay rate, and in the meantime I earn a paltry percentage of what my interstate colleagues do - regardless of life experience, education or extra responsibilities in my school. Next year, as a teacher with nine years' classroom experience, I'll be $13,000 behind my interstate colleagues, and that's after the fabulous "agreement" with the State Government. I am not greedy. I am not lazy. I am angry and I am the future of your education system.
A brief summary of why we should vote NO to the Agreement
A brief summary of why we should vote NO to the Agreement:
1. 1. For most salary classifications the 2011 salary is about $10 above what it would have been under the “joke” 3.25% deal.
2. 2. This is less than inflation (4.2%) and leaves us in a very weak position from which to negotiate the Agreement for 2012 and beyond.
3. 3. The union’s 5.2% minimum figure is a sleight of hand! See point 1 and PTO.
4. 4. Only G1s and E4s will be better paid than NSW. All otherclassifications are behind, by up to $13,000.
5. 5. G3s go to the same salary as G1s with 2 years less experience, and will progress exactly the same up the pay scale forever. LT2s, too.
6. 6. People whose increments move from January to May will get no compensation in 2010, 2011 or for the rest of their careers.
But for me the biggest reason is the incredible spin campaign of the union.
All points above are downplayed by the union and points 3 and 4 relate to a massive degree of deliberate deception of union members by union officials. This is grounds to vote NO, and grounds to kick Brumby and Bluett out!
Russell T. Edwards
PTO for details on the above points.
Further explanation on points above: .
1. Example:E1 currently: $61539E1 May 2011 under Agreement: $69946E1 May 2011 under 3.25% yearly rises: $69934
.Difference: $12 2.
2. If we have to fight for big rises just to catch up on ground we lost from 2008—2011, trying to actually break new ground will be next to impossible. .
3. The actual underlying percentage increase for most classifications is 13.66%. Compare to 13.65% for the 3.25% deal. .The union’s 5.2% figure comes about by the following calculation: (2011 salary + 2008 bonus – 2007 salary)/3 . Note, it includes the 2008 bonus as a part of 2011pay! And, it divides by 3 years when the Agreement stipulates no more pay claims for 3.6 years. 3.
4. G1s and E4s will be better paid than NSW only by a few hundred dollars, and only for a few months until the new NSW agreement comes out. All other classifications are at least $1500 short, most are in excess of $5000 short, and the worst is $13000 short. 4.
5. This is because G1 and G2 are abolished. G4 and above see the same problem to a lesser degree, only getting one extra increment’s worth of reward for more two years’ worth of extra experience. LT2-1s and above also cop it, with LT1-1, LT1-2, LT1¬3 going to the same pay as LT2-1. 5.
6. Example: Mary normally increments January 1st. In 2009 she has to wait an extra 5 months to go from A1 to A2, a pay rise of $1630. In so doing she misses out on 5 months of extra pay, or $679. But, she gets paid exactly this amount in May as compensation.
However, she takes a similar hit in 2010 and 2011 with no compensation. She has to wait until May 2010 for her rise of $1720. She misses 5 months of extra pay or $716. A slightly larger loss occurs in 2011, and she will enter all future agreements 5 months behind on the progression scale.
Russell Edwards
1. 1. For most salary classifications the 2011 salary is about $10 above what it would have been under the “joke” 3.25% deal.
2. 2. This is less than inflation (4.2%) and leaves us in a very weak position from which to negotiate the Agreement for 2012 and beyond.
3. 3. The union’s 5.2% minimum figure is a sleight of hand! See point 1 and PTO.
4. 4. Only G1s and E4s will be better paid than NSW. All otherclassifications are behind, by up to $13,000.
5. 5. G3s go to the same salary as G1s with 2 years less experience, and will progress exactly the same up the pay scale forever. LT2s, too.
6. 6. People whose increments move from January to May will get no compensation in 2010, 2011 or for the rest of their careers.
But for me the biggest reason is the incredible spin campaign of the union.
All points above are downplayed by the union and points 3 and 4 relate to a massive degree of deliberate deception of union members by union officials. This is grounds to vote NO, and grounds to kick Brumby and Bluett out!
Russell T. Edwards
PTO for details on the above points.
Further explanation on points above: .
1. Example:E1 currently: $61539E1 May 2011 under Agreement: $69946E1 May 2011 under 3.25% yearly rises: $69934
.Difference: $12 2.
2. If we have to fight for big rises just to catch up on ground we lost from 2008—2011, trying to actually break new ground will be next to impossible. .
3. The actual underlying percentage increase for most classifications is 13.66%. Compare to 13.65% for the 3.25% deal. .The union’s 5.2% figure comes about by the following calculation: (2011 salary + 2008 bonus – 2007 salary)/3 . Note, it includes the 2008 bonus as a part of 2011pay! And, it divides by 3 years when the Agreement stipulates no more pay claims for 3.6 years. 3.
4. G1s and E4s will be better paid than NSW only by a few hundred dollars, and only for a few months until the new NSW agreement comes out. All other classifications are at least $1500 short, most are in excess of $5000 short, and the worst is $13000 short. 4.
5. This is because G1 and G2 are abolished. G4 and above see the same problem to a lesser degree, only getting one extra increment’s worth of reward for more two years’ worth of extra experience. LT2-1s and above also cop it, with LT1-1, LT1-2, LT1¬3 going to the same pay as LT2-1. 5.
6. Example: Mary normally increments January 1st. In 2009 she has to wait an extra 5 months to go from A1 to A2, a pay rise of $1630. In so doing she misses out on 5 months of extra pay, or $679. But, she gets paid exactly this amount in May as compensation.
However, she takes a similar hit in 2010 and 2011 with no compensation. She has to wait until May 2010 for her rise of $1720. She misses 5 months of extra pay or $716. A slightly larger loss occurs in 2011, and she will enter all future agreements 5 months behind on the progression scale.
Russell Edwards
Resign and jump two salary increments
Many teachers are seriously considering Brent Houghton's comments in relation to resignation. Resign. Reapply for your job (or if you're up for a change - at another school). When you are rehired under the new agreement, you will jump two salary increments - simple as that. Of course, if you love your school and wish to retain your position without threat, you remain two years behind those with the same experience and less to lose. Many senior teachers and principals have said to me that very few will attempt this. But given everything that has happened with this 'agreement' process, I do indeed wonder. It certainly adds an extra dimension of chaos into the system. To view further details, go to www.victeachers.wordpress.com
AEU Visit (Brian Lennon)
We had a visit from an AEU rep as well, who was honest about the way in which the union "negotiated" this deal. It raises very big question marks indeed, I think, that the negotiator(s) accepted Brumby's figures on inflation -- 3% this year and 2% the next two years - as their starting point on the negotiation. All they had to do was check on the net for the Reserve Bank's figure on underlying inflation this year of 4.5% and their prediction that they would not get it under 3% the next two years. What sort of integrity (or lack of) was this negotiation conducted with if the AEU accepted Brumby's figures instead of the Reserve Bank's as their starting point? The AEU leadership just HAS to be doing something unacceptable to basic decency and respect for the members to START negotiations this way. They just have to be incompetent ... or worse.
What a shambles. For mine, it beggars belief that anyone with any sort of self-respect would vote to confirm such a dodgy process.
Brian Lennon
What a shambles. For mine, it beggars belief that anyone with any sort of self-respect would vote to confirm such a dodgy process.
Brian Lennon
FORUM: What do you think about the Agreement negotiated by the current leadership?
• Do you want more say in AEU policy?
• Do you want better conditions for teachers and students?
• Have your say at the Teachers Alliance forum
When: Saturday July 26th at 2pm
Where: Dantes 150-156 Gertrude St Fitzroy
This campaign has exposed the problems in our union. Many teachers, who are disappointed with and angry about this deal are considering withdrawing from the union. Teachers Alliance argue that it is much more effective and in our own interests to remain in the union and to ensure the problems are eradicated!
We need a strong and democratic union that fights for our interests and for our students. There are many of us who believe this. We should not be put off by any setbacks but see this as a golden opportunity to change things. We hope that this forum can be a start for such a process.
Imagine a union that fights for pay justice for all teachers, that fights to end contract teaching, to improve our working conditions including those of CRT teachers, reduce class sizes, increase the funding to government schools, to get parity of conditions between primary and secondary teachers and to get rid of the VIT. The current union leaders will argue that this is "pie in the sky". That is because they have been out of the classroom for too long and because they have no vision. Those who aim for the lowest goals never change anything significant.
Mary Merkenich AEU Councillor Teachers Alliance
View our web site at www.teachers-alliance.org
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
• Do you want better conditions for teachers and students?
• Have your say at the Teachers Alliance forum
When: Saturday July 26th at 2pm
Where: Dantes 150-156 Gertrude St Fitzroy
This campaign has exposed the problems in our union. Many teachers, who are disappointed with and angry about this deal are considering withdrawing from the union. Teachers Alliance argue that it is much more effective and in our own interests to remain in the union and to ensure the problems are eradicated!
We need a strong and democratic union that fights for our interests and for our students. There are many of us who believe this. We should not be put off by any setbacks but see this as a golden opportunity to change things. We hope that this forum can be a start for such a process.
Imagine a union that fights for pay justice for all teachers, that fights to end contract teaching, to improve our working conditions including those of CRT teachers, reduce class sizes, increase the funding to government schools, to get parity of conditions between primary and secondary teachers and to get rid of the VIT. The current union leaders will argue that this is "pie in the sky". That is because they have been out of the classroom for too long and because they have no vision. Those who aim for the lowest goals never change anything significant.
Mary Merkenich AEU Councillor Teachers Alliance
View our web site at www.teachers-alliance.org
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Dear Mary Bluett (Joanne Lockwood)
Dear Mary,
As a teacher of five years experience I feel it is about time MY union heard about MY concerns and not just of those in their first year of teaching or those Leading Teachers heading towards the end of their careers. It seems the Union has forgotten teachers like me exist, we certainly have not been considered in the latest agreement!
I had the opportunity, this afternoon, to listen to Meredith Peace discussing the terms of the latest agreement, all of which I had read and understood from the information provided on the Union’s website. Disappointingly, I was not given the chance – in the ½ hour session – to ask the questions that were concerning me, as an A1 teacher. Granted this was not solely her fault – the few questions that were heard were related to leading teacher changes – but I did not need to hear information that was readily available. This session should have primarily been a chance for members to ask questions and voice concerns, an opportunity it seems that the Union has gone out of its way to suppress.
I have been a union member since my first day as a Victorian Government school teacher and have always recognised the need and importance of unions within our profession. However, I feel betrayed and ignored by the current Union executive; my fees would have been better placed in my bank account than into employing the individuals who have negotiated this new agreement!
I have a number of specific questions and criticisms that I hope the Union will address:
1) Why did the AUE Victoria allow the government and the media to firstly release details of the agreement before members were told and more importantly, why did the union sit back and allow the media to continuously claim that we will now be the highest paid teachers in the country?
I was appalled when we were finally given specific details – several weeks after the in principle agreement was made – only to find that it is just 1st year teachers and those at the top of the scale who would in fact be better paid than teachers in NSW. For the rest of us somewhere in the 11 years in between the bottom and the top, we will be paid less, up to $13,000 less!
I was also increasingly angered over the lack of communication with members and the misleading information that was eventually provided (e.g. claiming that I would be given a 25.54% pay rise, which is clearly not the case in reality). It seems quite convenient that no details were released until after the NAPLAN testing was underway (and even then it was limited and unclear).
2) Why has the Union failed to clearly state the situation for teachers in the middle (G3-E3a)? Could it be that this lack of information is because this agreement does absolutely nothing for the teachers in this bracket? There seems to be absolutely no incentive for teachers in my position to continue, long term, in the profession. Considering we are starting to face a teacher shortage crisis and that there are fewer and fewer experienced teachers around to take on leadership positions, this lack of focus on the middle band seems counter-productive.
3) What has the Union done to address the workloads of teachers which have increased steadily over the years? I attended all the stop work rallies this year and last year, proudly carrying my AEU sign “Overworked and Underpaid” – I still seem to be in this position and will be until at least 2012!! And that’s saying nothing about class sizes, which have yet again been left off the agenda.
4) Lastly, regardless of how the Union chooses to spin the facts of this agreement, it is a 4 year, not a 3 year agreement. This locks members out of negotiations for salary and conditions until 2012 and allows us to, once again, lag significantly behind the rest of the country. Secondary to this, considering the average age of teachers in this state, many current teachers will have retired, leaving those who have been most disadvantaged by this agreement (and who choose to stay in teaching despite this), to fill the gaps.
Having been to the stop work meetings and listened carefully to the speakers and the other teachers I know, it was clear that in this negotiations we, the members, did not want our union to cave into a second rate agreement, as has happened in the past. We did not want to compromise on our goals. And yet here we find ourselves in the same position. If we ratify this agreement we may as well have taken the government’s initial 3.25% offer in January!
It is time for a change in direction from the Union and a change in those running it.
Yours Sincerely
Joanne Lockwood (Clyne) Viewbank College
As a teacher of five years experience I feel it is about time MY union heard about MY concerns and not just of those in their first year of teaching or those Leading Teachers heading towards the end of their careers. It seems the Union has forgotten teachers like me exist, we certainly have not been considered in the latest agreement!
I had the opportunity, this afternoon, to listen to Meredith Peace discussing the terms of the latest agreement, all of which I had read and understood from the information provided on the Union’s website. Disappointingly, I was not given the chance – in the ½ hour session – to ask the questions that were concerning me, as an A1 teacher. Granted this was not solely her fault – the few questions that were heard were related to leading teacher changes – but I did not need to hear information that was readily available. This session should have primarily been a chance for members to ask questions and voice concerns, an opportunity it seems that the Union has gone out of its way to suppress.
I have been a union member since my first day as a Victorian Government school teacher and have always recognised the need and importance of unions within our profession. However, I feel betrayed and ignored by the current Union executive; my fees would have been better placed in my bank account than into employing the individuals who have negotiated this new agreement!
I have a number of specific questions and criticisms that I hope the Union will address:
1) Why did the AUE Victoria allow the government and the media to firstly release details of the agreement before members were told and more importantly, why did the union sit back and allow the media to continuously claim that we will now be the highest paid teachers in the country?
I was appalled when we were finally given specific details – several weeks after the in principle agreement was made – only to find that it is just 1st year teachers and those at the top of the scale who would in fact be better paid than teachers in NSW. For the rest of us somewhere in the 11 years in between the bottom and the top, we will be paid less, up to $13,000 less!
I was also increasingly angered over the lack of communication with members and the misleading information that was eventually provided (e.g. claiming that I would be given a 25.54% pay rise, which is clearly not the case in reality). It seems quite convenient that no details were released until after the NAPLAN testing was underway (and even then it was limited and unclear).
2) Why has the Union failed to clearly state the situation for teachers in the middle (G3-E3a)? Could it be that this lack of information is because this agreement does absolutely nothing for the teachers in this bracket? There seems to be absolutely no incentive for teachers in my position to continue, long term, in the profession. Considering we are starting to face a teacher shortage crisis and that there are fewer and fewer experienced teachers around to take on leadership positions, this lack of focus on the middle band seems counter-productive.
3) What has the Union done to address the workloads of teachers which have increased steadily over the years? I attended all the stop work rallies this year and last year, proudly carrying my AEU sign “Overworked and Underpaid” – I still seem to be in this position and will be until at least 2012!! And that’s saying nothing about class sizes, which have yet again been left off the agenda.
4) Lastly, regardless of how the Union chooses to spin the facts of this agreement, it is a 4 year, not a 3 year agreement. This locks members out of negotiations for salary and conditions until 2012 and allows us to, once again, lag significantly behind the rest of the country. Secondary to this, considering the average age of teachers in this state, many current teachers will have retired, leaving those who have been most disadvantaged by this agreement (and who choose to stay in teaching despite this), to fill the gaps.
Having been to the stop work meetings and listened carefully to the speakers and the other teachers I know, it was clear that in this negotiations we, the members, did not want our union to cave into a second rate agreement, as has happened in the past. We did not want to compromise on our goals. And yet here we find ourselves in the same position. If we ratify this agreement we may as well have taken the government’s initial 3.25% offer in January!
It is time for a change in direction from the Union and a change in those running it.
Yours Sincerely
Joanne Lockwood (Clyne) Viewbank College
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wondered why AEU Councillors voted Yes?
Dear Colleagues,
Many of you have probably wondered why the majority of AEU Councillors voted for this agreement, which many if not most classroom teachers think stinks?
Please take a few minutes to read this and you may understand why.
Yesterday AEU Council met. the primary and secondary sector meet first, separately to deal with their own specific issues. Then we meet as a joint council and finally as Branch Council, which means primary, secondary, early childhood and TAFE. SSO's join in from the beginning and attend the relevant separate sector meeting and then join in the Joint and Branch Council meetings.
At both primary and secondary council meetings yesterday we had to vote to fill vacant council positions. At both primary and secondary there 2 vacant positions. At primary 2 AEU members nominated for each position and at secondary there was only 1 nomination for one of the positions but 3 for the second.
The rule pertinent to such situations reads as follows; Where the unexpired portion of the term of a position in which an extraordinary or casual vacancy occurs does not exceed three quarters of the term of the position, the relevant sector council may appoint a financial member of the sector or sub-sector and the relevant region or group of regions or the relevant TAFE institute to fill the position.
At secondary sector Justin Mullay, Deputy Vice President of secondary, read out the 3 names for the position, for which 3 members had nominated and then moved a motion that we appoint one of them. Teachers Alliance Councillors were surprised, to say the least and I objected and asked why an election was not taking place so that a democratic process would determine which of the 3 candidates should fill the vacancy. Norrian Rundle also a Teachers Alliance councillor pointed out that we had no information about any of the 3 candidates and yet we were being asked to blindly vote for one, the one the AEU officials had obviously anointed. Another councillor spoke to support one of the other candidates.
The majority of councillors dutifully put up their hands for the anointed one. Apparently the same scenario took place at primary council. I am really outraged at this lack of democracy. Secondly I believe that the logic of this implies that the AEU officials don't even trust their own councillors to vote the 'right' way, they have to pick out the suitable candidate. Thirdly, how dare they determine, without a fair process which candidate is more suitable or deserving enough to represent AEU members as a councillor. Obviously, they are worried about 'ordinary' members putting themselves forward because they may ask questions or even challenge the direction that these officials want.
Next year there will be elections which they cannot control. We need to take back control of our union to make it a democratic and strong union, one which is willing to get pay justice for all levels of teaching and finally address our working conditions, class sizes and end contract teaching.
Mary Merkenich AEU Councillor Teachers Alliance
View our web site at www.teachers-alliance.org
Many of you have probably wondered why the majority of AEU Councillors voted for this agreement, which many if not most classroom teachers think stinks?
Please take a few minutes to read this and you may understand why.
Yesterday AEU Council met. the primary and secondary sector meet first, separately to deal with their own specific issues. Then we meet as a joint council and finally as Branch Council, which means primary, secondary, early childhood and TAFE. SSO's join in from the beginning and attend the relevant separate sector meeting and then join in the Joint and Branch Council meetings.
At both primary and secondary council meetings yesterday we had to vote to fill vacant council positions. At both primary and secondary there 2 vacant positions. At primary 2 AEU members nominated for each position and at secondary there was only 1 nomination for one of the positions but 3 for the second.
The rule pertinent to such situations reads as follows; Where the unexpired portion of the term of a position in which an extraordinary or casual vacancy occurs does not exceed three quarters of the term of the position, the relevant sector council may appoint a financial member of the sector or sub-sector and the relevant region or group of regions or the relevant TAFE institute to fill the position.
At secondary sector Justin Mullay, Deputy Vice President of secondary, read out the 3 names for the position, for which 3 members had nominated and then moved a motion that we appoint one of them. Teachers Alliance Councillors were surprised, to say the least and I objected and asked why an election was not taking place so that a democratic process would determine which of the 3 candidates should fill the vacancy. Norrian Rundle also a Teachers Alliance councillor pointed out that we had no information about any of the 3 candidates and yet we were being asked to blindly vote for one, the one the AEU officials had obviously anointed. Another councillor spoke to support one of the other candidates.
The majority of councillors dutifully put up their hands for the anointed one. Apparently the same scenario took place at primary council. I am really outraged at this lack of democracy. Secondly I believe that the logic of this implies that the AEU officials don't even trust their own councillors to vote the 'right' way, they have to pick out the suitable candidate. Thirdly, how dare they determine, without a fair process which candidate is more suitable or deserving enough to represent AEU members as a councillor. Obviously, they are worried about 'ordinary' members putting themselves forward because they may ask questions or even challenge the direction that these officials want.
Next year there will be elections which they cannot control. We need to take back control of our union to make it a democratic and strong union, one which is willing to get pay justice for all levels of teaching and finally address our working conditions, class sizes and end contract teaching.
Mary Merkenich AEU Councillor Teachers Alliance
View our web site at www.teachers-alliance.org
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
AEU Ratification Voting Meetings Details (AEU)
28 May 2008
Dear Sub-branch Representative
You should now have received in the mail your delegate entitlement for the series of Ratification
meetings across the State for the proposed Agreement (Certified Agreement plus Memorandum of
Understanding). If you have not received this mail by COB today, please contact John Cassidy at
the AEU on 1800 013 379.
The updated list of meetings and venues are:
Mon June 2 4.30pm Abbotsford AEU office, 112 Trenerry Cres
Mon June 2 5.00pm Warrnambool Warrnambool PS, Staff Rm, Jamieson St
Tues June 3 4.30pm Ballarat Ballarat Trades Hall, Camp St
Tues June 3 4.30pm Frankston Frankston Arts Centre, Young St
Wed June 4 4.30pm Deer Park Sunshine Golf Club, 475 Mount Derrimut Rd
Wed June 4 4.30pm Mulgrave Wellington SC, 91 Police Rd, Mulgrave
Wed June 4 5.00pm Leongatha Leongatha SC, Staff Centre, Nerrena Rd
Thurs June 5 4.45pm Bendigo Bendigo Trades Hall, 40 View St
Thurs June 5 5.00pm Bairnsdale Bairnsdale SC Jnr Campus, Boucher Hall
Thurs June 5 5.00pm Moe Lowanna SC, 72-96 Newark Ave, Newborough
Tues June 10 4.00pm Maryborough Maryborough Ed Centre, Balaclava Rd
Tues June 10 4.30pm Mildura Chaffey SC – Rm D1, 261-289 Deakin Ave
Tues June 10 4.30pm Geelong Geelong T&LC, 127 Myers St
Wed June 11 5.00pm Benalla Benalla College, Dunlop Campus, Faithfull St
Wed June 11 5.00pm Wodonga Wodonga PS, 41 Brockley St
Wed June 11 4.30pm Swan Hill Swan Hill PS – Staff Rm, 123 Gray St
Thurs June 12 5.00pm Shepparton McGuire College, Presentation Area Science &
Technology Centre, Wilmot Rd
Thurs June 12 4.30pm Eltham Eltham HS, Withers Way
Thurs June 12 5.30pm Horsham Horsham College, High Street
It is important that the outcome of the Ratification meetings reflect the membership view on the
totality of the Agreement.
Proxy voting
Under the AEU rules a delegate can carry one (1) proxy vote (but only one (1)).
Please be advised that should Proxies be appointed to attend ratification meetings they will need to
present evidence of their appointment in writing from the sub-branch member they are proxying for
and have with them the relevant voting card.
Voting cards need to be completed when attending ratification meetings including name and
signature. Voting cards will be required for the formal vote at the meeting and will be stamped as √
COMPLETED.
Registration
Delegates must register prior to the meeting and have their voting card(s) stamped prior to voting.
So please get to the meeting as early as you can.
Observers
Any observer must be an AEU member and must also register prior to the meeting. Under AEU
Rules, observers can participate in the meeting only with the leave of the meeting.
Any queries related to the above should be addressed to John Cassidy.
Yours sincerely
MARY BLUETT
Branch President
Dear Sub-branch Representative
You should now have received in the mail your delegate entitlement for the series of Ratification
meetings across the State for the proposed Agreement (Certified Agreement plus Memorandum of
Understanding). If you have not received this mail by COB today, please contact John Cassidy at
the AEU on 1800 013 379.
The updated list of meetings and venues are:
Mon June 2 4.30pm Abbotsford AEU office, 112 Trenerry Cres
Mon June 2 5.00pm Warrnambool Warrnambool PS, Staff Rm, Jamieson St
Tues June 3 4.30pm Ballarat Ballarat Trades Hall, Camp St
Tues June 3 4.30pm Frankston Frankston Arts Centre, Young St
Wed June 4 4.30pm Deer Park Sunshine Golf Club, 475 Mount Derrimut Rd
Wed June 4 4.30pm Mulgrave Wellington SC, 91 Police Rd, Mulgrave
Wed June 4 5.00pm Leongatha Leongatha SC, Staff Centre, Nerrena Rd
Thurs June 5 4.45pm Bendigo Bendigo Trades Hall, 40 View St
Thurs June 5 5.00pm Bairnsdale Bairnsdale SC Jnr Campus, Boucher Hall
Thurs June 5 5.00pm Moe Lowanna SC, 72-96 Newark Ave, Newborough
Tues June 10 4.00pm Maryborough Maryborough Ed Centre, Balaclava Rd
Tues June 10 4.30pm Mildura Chaffey SC – Rm D1, 261-289 Deakin Ave
Tues June 10 4.30pm Geelong Geelong T&LC, 127 Myers St
Wed June 11 5.00pm Benalla Benalla College, Dunlop Campus, Faithfull St
Wed June 11 5.00pm Wodonga Wodonga PS, 41 Brockley St
Wed June 11 4.30pm Swan Hill Swan Hill PS – Staff Rm, 123 Gray St
Thurs June 12 5.00pm Shepparton McGuire College, Presentation Area Science &
Technology Centre, Wilmot Rd
Thurs June 12 4.30pm Eltham Eltham HS, Withers Way
Thurs June 12 5.30pm Horsham Horsham College, High Street
It is important that the outcome of the Ratification meetings reflect the membership view on the
totality of the Agreement.
Proxy voting
Under the AEU rules a delegate can carry one (1) proxy vote (but only one (1)).
Please be advised that should Proxies be appointed to attend ratification meetings they will need to
present evidence of their appointment in writing from the sub-branch member they are proxying for
and have with them the relevant voting card.
Voting cards need to be completed when attending ratification meetings including name and
signature. Voting cards will be required for the formal vote at the meeting and will be stamped as √
COMPLETED.
Registration
Delegates must register prior to the meeting and have their voting card(s) stamped prior to voting.
So please get to the meeting as early as you can.
Observers
Any observer must be an AEU member and must also register prior to the meeting. Under AEU
Rules, observers can participate in the meeting only with the leave of the meeting.
Any queries related to the above should be addressed to John Cassidy.
Yours sincerely
MARY BLUETT
Branch President
Monday, May 26, 2008
Schools agreement — Members to decide (AEU)
AEU e-Newsletter - Issue 26
In this issue:
Schools agreement — Members to decide
Next Monday will see the start of ratification meetings around the state as AEU delegates vote on the new Certified Agreement prior to any final union acceptance.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/sch_agree.html
The risks of voting ‘no’
If members vote No at the ratification meetings, the result will be simple - there will be no agreement. Those proposing a No vote should say what they will do if they are successful.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/risk.html
Extra agreement meeting set for Mulgrave
An additional agreement ratification meeting will be held at Wellington Secondary College on Wednesday June 4 at 4.30pm following requests from sub-branches in the area.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/mulgrave.html
Schools agreement: A long list of benefits
It’s not just about the money. On top of $10,000 pay rises for teachers at the top of the scale and the most competitive starting salary in Australia, the proposed agreement contains other benefits.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/benefits.html
TAFE campaign takes resolution to Minister Allan
The AEU Victorian Branch TAP Council is calling on the Brumby Government and the Minister for Skills, Jacinta Allan, to provide funding to ensure a salary outcome that will attract and retain qualified TAFE teachers across the state.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/tafe.html
TAFE and AMES online survey — tell us about your working life
The AEU's online TAFE survey of TAFE teachers will be closing at close of business on Thursday.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/survey.html
MECA 2008 negotiations begin for early childhood
The AEU has met Kindergarten Parents Victoria (KPV) to begin negotiations for a new multi-employer certified agreement (MECA).
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/meca.html
Teachers call on government to fund professional pay
The AEU welcomes a Business Council of Australia proposal calling for
$4 billion to double the top rate of pay for teachers, but warns that increased funding for public schools is also needed.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/prof_pay.html
Coming up: APHEDA fundraising dinner
This year’s Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA dinner will be held at the St Kilda Town Hall on Friday 18 July.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/apheda.html
Women’s Power Forum 2008
“Women in the Arts” is the first event being held as part of this year’s Women’s Power Forum, which begins this Friday.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/women.html
Giveaway: Little Books of Big Ideas
Thanks to ABC Books we have two books in the Little Book of Big Ideas
series: Politics by Anne Perkins (leader writer for The Guardian
newspaper) and Business by Dr John Lipczynski (London School of Economics).
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/giveaway.html
AEU e-Newsletter: http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/
Powered by Social Change Online
In this issue:
Schools agreement — Members to decide
Next Monday will see the start of ratification meetings around the state as AEU delegates vote on the new Certified Agreement prior to any final union acceptance.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/sch_agree.html
The risks of voting ‘no’
If members vote No at the ratification meetings, the result will be simple - there will be no agreement. Those proposing a No vote should say what they will do if they are successful.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/risk.html
Extra agreement meeting set for Mulgrave
An additional agreement ratification meeting will be held at Wellington Secondary College on Wednesday June 4 at 4.30pm following requests from sub-branches in the area.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/mulgrave.html
Schools agreement: A long list of benefits
It’s not just about the money. On top of $10,000 pay rises for teachers at the top of the scale and the most competitive starting salary in Australia, the proposed agreement contains other benefits.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/benefits.html
TAFE campaign takes resolution to Minister Allan
The AEU Victorian Branch TAP Council is calling on the Brumby Government and the Minister for Skills, Jacinta Allan, to provide funding to ensure a salary outcome that will attract and retain qualified TAFE teachers across the state.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/tafe.html
TAFE and AMES online survey — tell us about your working life
The AEU's online TAFE survey of TAFE teachers will be closing at close of business on Thursday.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/survey.html
MECA 2008 negotiations begin for early childhood
The AEU has met Kindergarten Parents Victoria (KPV) to begin negotiations for a new multi-employer certified agreement (MECA).
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/meca.html
Teachers call on government to fund professional pay
The AEU welcomes a Business Council of Australia proposal calling for
$4 billion to double the top rate of pay for teachers, but warns that increased funding for public schools is also needed.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/prof_pay.html
Coming up: APHEDA fundraising dinner
This year’s Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA dinner will be held at the St Kilda Town Hall on Friday 18 July.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/apheda.html
Women’s Power Forum 2008
“Women in the Arts” is the first event being held as part of this year’s Women’s Power Forum, which begins this Friday.
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/women.html
Giveaway: Little Books of Big Ideas
Thanks to ABC Books we have two books in the Little Book of Big Ideas
series: Politics by Anne Perkins (leader writer for The Guardian
newspaper) and Business by Dr John Lipczynski (London School of Economics).
http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/26/giveaway.html
AEU e-Newsletter: http://aeu-vic.labor.net.au/newsletters/
Powered by Social Change Online
Agreement and Ratification Meeting Information (AEU)
Subject: Agreement and Ratification Meeting Information
Dear sub-branch rep,
We are writing to highlight the importance of the ratification process for the new agreement. We urge you to meet as a sub branch, support the proposed Agreement, which in the view of the negotiators is the best achievable outcome and attend the ratification meeting to register your sub branch’s vote.
There are 3 ratification meetings in your area (you can attend any of these):
Monday June 2nd Abbotsford 4:30pm (AEU office 112 Trenerry Cres, Abbotsford)
Tuesday June 3rd Frankston 4:30pm (Frankston Arts Centre, Young St, Frankston)
Wednesday June 4th Wellington 4:30pm (Wellington SC, 91 Police Rd, Mulgrave)
The sub branch delegate entitlement for voting will be 1 delegate for every 20 financial members (or part thereof) in the sub branch. Delegates are to be appointed by each sub branch. Each delegate will be entitled to vote once at one ratification meeting only. If you have any queries or would like to discuss anything to do with the ratification process or agreement, please contact your organiser or myself in the MSU.
Make sure you’re there to have your voice heard.
Dear sub-branch rep,
We are writing to highlight the importance of the ratification process for the new agreement. We urge you to meet as a sub branch, support the proposed Agreement, which in the view of the negotiators is the best achievable outcome and attend the ratification meeting to register your sub branch’s vote.
There are 3 ratification meetings in your area (you can attend any of these):
Monday June 2nd Abbotsford 4:30pm (AEU office 112 Trenerry Cres, Abbotsford)
Tuesday June 3rd Frankston 4:30pm (Frankston Arts Centre, Young St, Frankston)
Wednesday June 4th Wellington 4:30pm (Wellington SC, 91 Police Rd, Mulgrave)
The sub branch delegate entitlement for voting will be 1 delegate for every 20 financial members (or part thereof) in the sub branch. Delegates are to be appointed by each sub branch. Each delegate will be entitled to vote once at one ratification meeting only. If you have any queries or would like to discuss anything to do with the ratification process or agreement, please contact your organiser or myself in the MSU.
Make sure you’re there to have your voice heard.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The new agreement is a poisoned apple
By David Ponsford ponsford.david.d@edumail.vic.gov.au
& Joseph Nadler nadler.joseph.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
Overseas teacher drive urged
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/overseas-teacher-drive-urged/2008/05/21/1211182895793.html
David Rood May 22, 2008
VICTORIA will need to immediately recruit teachers from interstate and overseas to avoid a shortage of high school teachers, according to an internal report to the Brumby Government.
Almost half of the state's government secondary schools had problems recruiting staff, the study found, with schools in Melbourne's urban growth fringes and Victoria's north and western regions the worst hit.
The average age of the teaching workforce is expected to continue to rise over the next five years, and a shortfall of almost 500 secondary-trained teachers a year is predicted.
The report on teacher supply, obtained by The Age, says this will require the recruitment of an extra 470 teachers each year "from interstate and overseas, previous years' graduates not working in the profession and from former teachers".
The ageing teacher population will result in increasing demand in areas such as special education, maths, science, physics, information technology and languages.
More than half of government teaching staff are older than 45, with the largest age group of teachers aged between 50 and 54.
Almost half of all state secondary schools reported difficulties filling vacancies, while half of combined primary and secondary schools had problems, up from 38.5% in 2006.
President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Education Union Mary Bluett said the teacher supply report had consistently forecast the huge shortfall in secondary teachers.
"The depth of the teacher shortage in secondary schools is being masked by teachers having to teach in areas outside of their expertise — particularly in country schools," she said.
Ms Bluett questioned whether overseas recruitment was the best way to tackle the shortfall, saying Asian countries, Britain and New Zealand were already recruiting Victorian teachers.
"The solution doesn't lie with the expensive overseas recruitment of teachers, which is a throwback to the 1970s. We need a significant recruitment campaign to get back those who have left the profession or studied teaching but never went on to work as a teacher."
The Education Department does not run a formal recruitment program for interstate or overseas teachers.
The number of teaching service staff on contracts has increased over the past year to 18.5%, but that remains lower than the 1999 peak of just under one in five staff on contract.
The report also found
that since 1996 enrolments in government schools had risen by 3.8% and Catholic schools by 3.6%, compared with more than one-third at independent schools.
David Rood May 22, 2008
VICTORIA will need to immediately recruit teachers from interstate and overseas to avoid a shortage of high school teachers, according to an internal report to the Brumby Government.
Almost half of the state's government secondary schools had problems recruiting staff, the study found, with schools in Melbourne's urban growth fringes and Victoria's north and western regions the worst hit.
The average age of the teaching workforce is expected to continue to rise over the next five years, and a shortfall of almost 500 secondary-trained teachers a year is predicted.
The report on teacher supply, obtained by The Age, says this will require the recruitment of an extra 470 teachers each year "from interstate and overseas, previous years' graduates not working in the profession and from former teachers".
The ageing teacher population will result in increasing demand in areas such as special education, maths, science, physics, information technology and languages.
More than half of government teaching staff are older than 45, with the largest age group of teachers aged between 50 and 54.
Almost half of all state secondary schools reported difficulties filling vacancies, while half of combined primary and secondary schools had problems, up from 38.5% in 2006.
President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Education Union Mary Bluett said the teacher supply report had consistently forecast the huge shortfall in secondary teachers.
"The depth of the teacher shortage in secondary schools is being masked by teachers having to teach in areas outside of their expertise — particularly in country schools," she said.
Ms Bluett questioned whether overseas recruitment was the best way to tackle the shortfall, saying Asian countries, Britain and New Zealand were already recruiting Victorian teachers.
"The solution doesn't lie with the expensive overseas recruitment of teachers, which is a throwback to the 1970s. We need a significant recruitment campaign to get back those who have left the profession or studied teaching but never went on to work as a teacher."
The Education Department does not run a formal recruitment program for interstate or overseas teachers.
The number of teaching service staff on contracts has increased over the past year to 18.5%, but that remains lower than the 1999 peak of just under one in five staff on contract.
The report also found
that since 1996 enrolments in government schools had risen by 3.8% and Catholic schools by 3.6%, compared with more than one-third at independent schools.
Demand mass meetings to reject Victorian teachers’ union sell-out!
By the Socialist Equality Party 20 May 2008
Use this version to print Send this link by email Email the author
Click here to download this article as a PDF leaflet
Victorian teachers should reject the sell-out agreement negotiated by the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the state Labor government of Premier John Brumby, and fight to mobilise teachers, parents, and the working class as a whole in defence of teachers’ wages and conditions and the public education system itself. As a first step, teachers should demand that mass meetings be convened where the details of the proposed agreement can be properly discussed, ordinary teachers can have their say, and a democratic vote be held.
Details of the proposed agreement—released after the AEU State Council voted on May 14 to accept the government’s terms—make clear that the union is attempting to ram through a new industrial contract that abandons all the demands raised by teachers in the course of their year-long struggle. Two strike-day mass meetings were held in November and February and a series of four-hour stoppages staged across the state in recent months to insist on a 30 percent pay rise over three years, maximum class size of 20 students, and a significant shift away from the use of contract teachers towards permanent positions. The AEU now expects teachers to accept an agreement that amounts to a real wage cut for many, exacerbates job insecurity and compounds the deepening crisis in the schools’ primary and secondary classrooms.
When news of the deal was first released on May 5—more than a week before teachers had any chance to read the full terms—AEU Victorian President Mary Bluett hailed it as a major victory. But there should be no misunderstanding. If ratified, this AEU-Labor government agreement will open the way for further severe attacks on public education.
* First-year and senior teachers’ salaries will rise by 11 and 15 percent respectively but this will be offset by “increases” in the next two years which will be well under the inflation rate. Many teachers on the middle pay rates will receive 4.9 percent for the first year, and just 2.71 for the next two—amounting to a real wage cut. Claims by Bluett that Victorian teachers will earn more than their NSW counterparts are false. Anyone between their first and thirteenth year will earn significantly less.
* Class sizes do not even rate a mention. This agreement adopts the same framework as the last one—it stipulates no maximum class size, simply an average figure for both primary and secondary schools. Maximum hours of face-to-face teaching are limited to 22.5 in primaries and 20 in secondaries—the same as currently—but with a new curriculum and reporting procedures and with the option of an additional after-school meeting hour—up from two to three—as well as parent nights, planning and correction time and report writing, creating an ever-increasing workload.
* On contract teachers: Like the 2004 enterprise agreement, this one accepts that “some fixed term or casual employment will continue to be necessary”. Already 20 percent of teachers have no job security; these generally young teachers are forced to constantly reapply for their positions.
* One particularly sinister measure is the AEU’s agreement with government plans to force out “disengaged” teachers and replace them with former contract teachers. This is being presented as a victory for contract teachers. The reality is that instead of fighting the growing casualisation of the teaching profession, the AEU will help enforce sackings and the destruction of permanent jobs. Among other consequences, this will result in an even worse climate of intimidation and fear. Teachers will be forced to toe the government line on education and teaching practices under threat of being labelled “underperforming” or “disengaged” and replaced by contract labour.
* A new category of employee, “teacher assistant”, has been introduced which is entirely unexplained. Its most likely aim is to bring in more contract labour. In Britain, the Labour government now employs “teacher assistants”, who lack experience and qualifications, to cover growing shortages of permanent teaching staff.
The fact that many teachers have never heard of these provisions simply underscores the need for mass meetings and a genuine discussion. But the AEU is proceeding in precisely the opposite manner, doing its utmost to spread confusion, conceal the real terms of the deal, and intimidate and bully members into accepting it. No mass email has been sent out, and it is difficult to find any details on the AEU’s website.
The first stage of ratification is to take place through a delegates’ vote involving no more than 5 percent of the union membership. The delegates’ meetings—of which only four are scheduled for the Melbourne metropolitan area—have been deliberately scheduled on school days in the afternoon in an attempt to prevent ordinary teachers from attending. The union hopes to ram through the agreement at these meetings, after which a ballot of all teachers will reportedly be held in each school in the last two weeks of June.
At every stage of the campaign, the union has fought to keep its membership isolated and in the dark and to stifle genuine discussion and debate. This situation can no longer be tolerated. Union branch meetings should be held at every school and resolutions passed rejecting the agreement and demanding that the union convene a mass meeting. According to the AEU constitution, a general meeting can be called if 10 percent of the membership petitions the leadership. Branches should circulate their resolutions and coordinate their activities throughout the state, and involve parents, principals, administrative education staff, as well as broader layers of the working class. Agitation for a mass meeting should mark the first step in taking the conduct of this campaign out of the hands of the AEU bureaucracy, electing rank and file committees and beginning a coordinated industrial and political struggle against the entire public education agenda of the state and federal Labor governments.
How has the current situation emerged?
Despite the AEU’s endorsement of the government’s offer, opposition and anger among the rank and file is growing. Several union branches have either rejected the deal or expressed their deep concern to the leadership. The Victorian Principals Association reportedly met last week and rejected the agreement out of hand.
But the fight to defend wages and conditions can only be sustained and developed to the extent that it is based on an entirely opposed political perspective to that of the unions and the Labor government: one that starts, not with accommodating to the demands of the financial markets and big business, but with the intellectual and creative needs of the state’s young people and the right of all teachers to a secure, well-paid job, with decent conditions in fully resourced schools and classrooms.
It is important to note that the AEU-Brumby agreement did not fall from the sky. Rather, it represents the culmination of a bipartisan 25-year assault on public education by Liberal and Labor governments alike.
Since1983, under the Hawke and Keating Labor governments, education “reform” has become a key component of the drive to make Australian capitalism “internationally competitive”. The various state governments have functioned as critical components of this agenda, promoting private schools at the expense of the public education system and implementing massive cuts to jobs, schools and resources. Throughout this process, the teacher unions have played a central role.
In the late 1980s, the Victorian unions collaborated with Joan Kirner’s state Labor government to introduce “District Provision”, which was used to “rationalise” state education. Under the banner of providing “greater curriculum choice”, dozens of schools were closed or amalgamated.
From 1992, Jeff Kennett’s Liberal government accelerated Kirner’s program through “Quality Provision,” which delivered a massive $350 million cut to the education budget, closed 350 schools and destroyed 9,000 teachers’ jobs. The union left individual schools to fight on their own, isolating teachers and parents who undertook school occupations and community actions. Kennett also introduced the “Schools of the Future” program, under which schools became autonomous, effectively ending centralised employment. To silence political opposition, Kennett introduced Teaching Service Order (TSO) 140 and used it mercilessly to victimise and sack teachers. The unions refused to mount any challenge, insisting that their members comply. And when contract teaching was introduced in 1993 the union failed to even call a members’ meeting! It simply proposed moving from a state to a federal award—to preserve its role as key negotiator against Kennett’s attempts to sideline it.
Labor was returned to office in 1999 after promising to reverse Kennett’s attacks on public education, end contract teaching, and lift gag provisions under TSO 140. Not one of these promises was kept. Instead, Kennett’s program, based on dividing schools and pitting them against each other, has been intensified, along with contract teaching.
Now Labor has moved to introduce so-called merit based pay. A 2001 industrial agreement signed with the AEU initiated the link between performance criteria and pay increments. This pro-market shift was further entrenched in the 2004 contract, when the AEU explicitly signed up to the government’s education “blueprint”, forcing schools to demonstrate continuous improvement in student test results in order to access continued funding. It will continue under this agreement.
A new perspective needed
The fight to defend their interests and public education as a whole brings Victorian teachers into conflict, not only with the AEU and the Brumby state government, but also with the federal Labor government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Rudd won office last November by appealing to the Hawke-Keating “legacy” and pledging to launch a new wave of free market economic reforms. Under conditions of an escalating crisis in the world economy and growing fears of a 1930s-style global recession, he has already made crystal clear that his government will ruthlessly place the full burden of the economic crisis on the backs of working people and suppress any struggles over wages and conditions.
Federal Labor’s so-called “education revolution” is aimed at pushing up productivity. Every aspect of public education, from pre-school to university, is to be subordinated to the labour requirements of business. The Victorian government’s “Blueprint” will be complemented by the Rudd government’s national student tests, which will be used to establish league tables—yet another measure aimed at slashing public school funding.
Teachers cannot advance their interests on the basis of a trade unionist perspective. The viability of the old trade unionist and Laborist strategy of securing concessions for the working class from the national ruling elite has been forever shattered by the ever closer integration of the world economy. An immense social reversion is underway, with governments in every advanced capitalist country moving to slash workers’ wages and conditions, tear up existing social security and welfare provisions, and extend the operations of the profit system to every sphere of social and economic life.
Workers require a new and independent political orientation, one which aims to harness the enormous productive capacities and technological resources of the world economy in the interests of the social needs of the vast majority, rather than the narrow interests of the wealthy few. On public education for example, billions of dollars should be spent to ensure a free, universally accessible, quality school system—including child care and kindergartens for all—which gives all children the opportunity to fully develop their talents, capacities, and interests. Such a program, however, is fundamentally incompatible with an education system subordinated to the market and the dictates of big business. Nothing less than the revolutionary reorganisation of society is needed. The prerequisite for this transformation is for teachers—and all workers—to make a decisive break with the Labor Party and the trade unions and to turn to the development of a new party which genuinely represents their interests.
The Socialist Equality Party is that party. We urge all teachers, parents and students to study our program and history, to contact the World Socialist Web Site to discuss these critical issues and to advance the struggle for a broad campaign in the working class against the AEU sell-out agreement.
See Also:Australia: Teachers’ union moves to shut down industrial campaign[10 May 2008]Australia: Victorian teachers face fight with Labor governments over pay and conditions[13 February 2008]Australia: Victorian teachers’ union blocks discussion on strategy to oppose government attacks[26 February 2008]Socialist candidate warns Victorian teachers of union betrayal[22 November 2007]The AEU and the Victorian teachers’ wage rise campaign[19 November 2007]
Use this version to print Send this link by email Email the author
Click here to download this article as a PDF leaflet
Victorian teachers should reject the sell-out agreement negotiated by the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the state Labor government of Premier John Brumby, and fight to mobilise teachers, parents, and the working class as a whole in defence of teachers’ wages and conditions and the public education system itself. As a first step, teachers should demand that mass meetings be convened where the details of the proposed agreement can be properly discussed, ordinary teachers can have their say, and a democratic vote be held.
Details of the proposed agreement—released after the AEU State Council voted on May 14 to accept the government’s terms—make clear that the union is attempting to ram through a new industrial contract that abandons all the demands raised by teachers in the course of their year-long struggle. Two strike-day mass meetings were held in November and February and a series of four-hour stoppages staged across the state in recent months to insist on a 30 percent pay rise over three years, maximum class size of 20 students, and a significant shift away from the use of contract teachers towards permanent positions. The AEU now expects teachers to accept an agreement that amounts to a real wage cut for many, exacerbates job insecurity and compounds the deepening crisis in the schools’ primary and secondary classrooms.
When news of the deal was first released on May 5—more than a week before teachers had any chance to read the full terms—AEU Victorian President Mary Bluett hailed it as a major victory. But there should be no misunderstanding. If ratified, this AEU-Labor government agreement will open the way for further severe attacks on public education.
* First-year and senior teachers’ salaries will rise by 11 and 15 percent respectively but this will be offset by “increases” in the next two years which will be well under the inflation rate. Many teachers on the middle pay rates will receive 4.9 percent for the first year, and just 2.71 for the next two—amounting to a real wage cut. Claims by Bluett that Victorian teachers will earn more than their NSW counterparts are false. Anyone between their first and thirteenth year will earn significantly less.
* Class sizes do not even rate a mention. This agreement adopts the same framework as the last one—it stipulates no maximum class size, simply an average figure for both primary and secondary schools. Maximum hours of face-to-face teaching are limited to 22.5 in primaries and 20 in secondaries—the same as currently—but with a new curriculum and reporting procedures and with the option of an additional after-school meeting hour—up from two to three—as well as parent nights, planning and correction time and report writing, creating an ever-increasing workload.
* On contract teachers: Like the 2004 enterprise agreement, this one accepts that “some fixed term or casual employment will continue to be necessary”. Already 20 percent of teachers have no job security; these generally young teachers are forced to constantly reapply for their positions.
* One particularly sinister measure is the AEU’s agreement with government plans to force out “disengaged” teachers and replace them with former contract teachers. This is being presented as a victory for contract teachers. The reality is that instead of fighting the growing casualisation of the teaching profession, the AEU will help enforce sackings and the destruction of permanent jobs. Among other consequences, this will result in an even worse climate of intimidation and fear. Teachers will be forced to toe the government line on education and teaching practices under threat of being labelled “underperforming” or “disengaged” and replaced by contract labour.
* A new category of employee, “teacher assistant”, has been introduced which is entirely unexplained. Its most likely aim is to bring in more contract labour. In Britain, the Labour government now employs “teacher assistants”, who lack experience and qualifications, to cover growing shortages of permanent teaching staff.
The fact that many teachers have never heard of these provisions simply underscores the need for mass meetings and a genuine discussion. But the AEU is proceeding in precisely the opposite manner, doing its utmost to spread confusion, conceal the real terms of the deal, and intimidate and bully members into accepting it. No mass email has been sent out, and it is difficult to find any details on the AEU’s website.
The first stage of ratification is to take place through a delegates’ vote involving no more than 5 percent of the union membership. The delegates’ meetings—of which only four are scheduled for the Melbourne metropolitan area—have been deliberately scheduled on school days in the afternoon in an attempt to prevent ordinary teachers from attending. The union hopes to ram through the agreement at these meetings, after which a ballot of all teachers will reportedly be held in each school in the last two weeks of June.
At every stage of the campaign, the union has fought to keep its membership isolated and in the dark and to stifle genuine discussion and debate. This situation can no longer be tolerated. Union branch meetings should be held at every school and resolutions passed rejecting the agreement and demanding that the union convene a mass meeting. According to the AEU constitution, a general meeting can be called if 10 percent of the membership petitions the leadership. Branches should circulate their resolutions and coordinate their activities throughout the state, and involve parents, principals, administrative education staff, as well as broader layers of the working class. Agitation for a mass meeting should mark the first step in taking the conduct of this campaign out of the hands of the AEU bureaucracy, electing rank and file committees and beginning a coordinated industrial and political struggle against the entire public education agenda of the state and federal Labor governments.
How has the current situation emerged?
Despite the AEU’s endorsement of the government’s offer, opposition and anger among the rank and file is growing. Several union branches have either rejected the deal or expressed their deep concern to the leadership. The Victorian Principals Association reportedly met last week and rejected the agreement out of hand.
But the fight to defend wages and conditions can only be sustained and developed to the extent that it is based on an entirely opposed political perspective to that of the unions and the Labor government: one that starts, not with accommodating to the demands of the financial markets and big business, but with the intellectual and creative needs of the state’s young people and the right of all teachers to a secure, well-paid job, with decent conditions in fully resourced schools and classrooms.
It is important to note that the AEU-Brumby agreement did not fall from the sky. Rather, it represents the culmination of a bipartisan 25-year assault on public education by Liberal and Labor governments alike.
Since1983, under the Hawke and Keating Labor governments, education “reform” has become a key component of the drive to make Australian capitalism “internationally competitive”. The various state governments have functioned as critical components of this agenda, promoting private schools at the expense of the public education system and implementing massive cuts to jobs, schools and resources. Throughout this process, the teacher unions have played a central role.
In the late 1980s, the Victorian unions collaborated with Joan Kirner’s state Labor government to introduce “District Provision”, which was used to “rationalise” state education. Under the banner of providing “greater curriculum choice”, dozens of schools were closed or amalgamated.
From 1992, Jeff Kennett’s Liberal government accelerated Kirner’s program through “Quality Provision,” which delivered a massive $350 million cut to the education budget, closed 350 schools and destroyed 9,000 teachers’ jobs. The union left individual schools to fight on their own, isolating teachers and parents who undertook school occupations and community actions. Kennett also introduced the “Schools of the Future” program, under which schools became autonomous, effectively ending centralised employment. To silence political opposition, Kennett introduced Teaching Service Order (TSO) 140 and used it mercilessly to victimise and sack teachers. The unions refused to mount any challenge, insisting that their members comply. And when contract teaching was introduced in 1993 the union failed to even call a members’ meeting! It simply proposed moving from a state to a federal award—to preserve its role as key negotiator against Kennett’s attempts to sideline it.
Labor was returned to office in 1999 after promising to reverse Kennett’s attacks on public education, end contract teaching, and lift gag provisions under TSO 140. Not one of these promises was kept. Instead, Kennett’s program, based on dividing schools and pitting them against each other, has been intensified, along with contract teaching.
Now Labor has moved to introduce so-called merit based pay. A 2001 industrial agreement signed with the AEU initiated the link between performance criteria and pay increments. This pro-market shift was further entrenched in the 2004 contract, when the AEU explicitly signed up to the government’s education “blueprint”, forcing schools to demonstrate continuous improvement in student test results in order to access continued funding. It will continue under this agreement.
A new perspective needed
The fight to defend their interests and public education as a whole brings Victorian teachers into conflict, not only with the AEU and the Brumby state government, but also with the federal Labor government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Rudd won office last November by appealing to the Hawke-Keating “legacy” and pledging to launch a new wave of free market economic reforms. Under conditions of an escalating crisis in the world economy and growing fears of a 1930s-style global recession, he has already made crystal clear that his government will ruthlessly place the full burden of the economic crisis on the backs of working people and suppress any struggles over wages and conditions.
Federal Labor’s so-called “education revolution” is aimed at pushing up productivity. Every aspect of public education, from pre-school to university, is to be subordinated to the labour requirements of business. The Victorian government’s “Blueprint” will be complemented by the Rudd government’s national student tests, which will be used to establish league tables—yet another measure aimed at slashing public school funding.
Teachers cannot advance their interests on the basis of a trade unionist perspective. The viability of the old trade unionist and Laborist strategy of securing concessions for the working class from the national ruling elite has been forever shattered by the ever closer integration of the world economy. An immense social reversion is underway, with governments in every advanced capitalist country moving to slash workers’ wages and conditions, tear up existing social security and welfare provisions, and extend the operations of the profit system to every sphere of social and economic life.
Workers require a new and independent political orientation, one which aims to harness the enormous productive capacities and technological resources of the world economy in the interests of the social needs of the vast majority, rather than the narrow interests of the wealthy few. On public education for example, billions of dollars should be spent to ensure a free, universally accessible, quality school system—including child care and kindergartens for all—which gives all children the opportunity to fully develop their talents, capacities, and interests. Such a program, however, is fundamentally incompatible with an education system subordinated to the market and the dictates of big business. Nothing less than the revolutionary reorganisation of society is needed. The prerequisite for this transformation is for teachers—and all workers—to make a decisive break with the Labor Party and the trade unions and to turn to the development of a new party which genuinely represents their interests.
The Socialist Equality Party is that party. We urge all teachers, parents and students to study our program and history, to contact the World Socialist Web Site to discuss these critical issues and to advance the struggle for a broad campaign in the working class against the AEU sell-out agreement.
See Also:Australia: Teachers’ union moves to shut down industrial campaign[10 May 2008]Australia: Victorian teachers face fight with Labor governments over pay and conditions[13 February 2008]Australia: Victorian teachers’ union blocks discussion on strategy to oppose government attacks[26 February 2008]Socialist candidate warns Victorian teachers of union betrayal[22 November 2007]The AEU and the Victorian teachers’ wage rise campaign[19 November 2007]
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The new Agreement - Your Comments
Please comment on this post - if you post links i will add them as posts.
Please leave your name (not compulsory but appreciated).....
Please leave your name (not compulsory but appreciated).....
Productivity? Pah
http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/higher-bills-small-price-to-pay-for-the-environment/2008/05/08/1210131164681.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
THANK you to all those who negotiated hard with Minister Pike on my behalf for a better deal but despite the hearty public congratulations all round, I'm not exactly clear what it is I've gained besides a minuscule pay rise. While the AEU rode high on the wave of members' discontent, they've missed the point — teachers feel strongly about being overworked as well as underpaid.
For a pittance more, I'm now condemned to a longer day and no decrease in class size. Parents have also been sold out as, more than ever, schools will simply be glorified child-minding centres. That both sides would consider working more hours "productivity" defies belief.
Evdokia Mantzaris, Clayton
THANK you to all those who negotiated hard with Minister Pike on my behalf for a better deal but despite the hearty public congratulations all round, I'm not exactly clear what it is I've gained besides a minuscule pay rise. While the AEU rode high on the wave of members' discontent, they've missed the point — teachers feel strongly about being overworked as well as underpaid.
For a pittance more, I'm now condemned to a longer day and no decrease in class size. Parents have also been sold out as, more than ever, schools will simply be glorified child-minding centres. That both sides would consider working more hours "productivity" defies belief.
Evdokia Mantzaris, Clayton
A just reward
http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/time-to-go-ted/2008/05/13/1210444430576.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
SINCE the teachers' dispute with the Victorian Government ended in kisses, we have heard the proposal to pay super principals up to $200,000 to transform under-performing schools. Unless this proposal is hitched to the expertise and energy of high-performing teachers it is doomed to failure. After all, these teachers make genuine educational reform work. But alas, we cannot identify these high performers. Give me a break.
High-performing teachers can easily be identified by school communities and without wasteful educational consultancies. Simply look at peer assessment, student assessment, extracurricular participation, post-graduate study and professional development leadership. Oh, but this will be divisive, say the unions. Not at all. Only interested teachers need apply to have an assessment, the run-of-the-mill can keep their sweet deal. Let's stop pussyfooting around real educational reform and offer outstanding teachers real remuneration, say $100,000-$150,000.
Mike Toomey, Rowville
SINCE the teachers' dispute with the Victorian Government ended in kisses, we have heard the proposal to pay super principals up to $200,000 to transform under-performing schools. Unless this proposal is hitched to the expertise and energy of high-performing teachers it is doomed to failure. After all, these teachers make genuine educational reform work. But alas, we cannot identify these high performers. Give me a break.
High-performing teachers can easily be identified by school communities and without wasteful educational consultancies. Simply look at peer assessment, student assessment, extracurricular participation, post-graduate study and professional development leadership. Oh, but this will be divisive, say the unions. Not at all. Only interested teachers need apply to have an assessment, the run-of-the-mill can keep their sweet deal. Let's stop pussyfooting around real educational reform and offer outstanding teachers real remuneration, say $100,000-$150,000.
Mike Toomey, Rowville
Teachers lose, again
http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/welfare-is-for-the-needy-not-reward-for-working-hard/2008/05/15/1210765051400.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
WHY would anyone be a leading teacher? Mary Bluett's little tirade at leading teachers who jumped the gun last week (Letters, 8/5), seems to have been somewhat premature. Now that the agreement has been released, leading teachers in the L-1 range are significantly worse off than they were under the previous salary rates. In addition, we did not receive the $1000 bonus that was touted as a sugar coating. We will not have comparative parity until 2010 but will still be expected to carry the same workload. It's ironic that the agreement actually acknowledges the value and work of leading teachers but obviously not when it comes to salaries.
Sheryl Gardner, Heidelberg
WHY would anyone be a leading teacher? Mary Bluett's little tirade at leading teachers who jumped the gun last week (Letters, 8/5), seems to have been somewhat premature. Now that the agreement has been released, leading teachers in the L-1 range are significantly worse off than they were under the previous salary rates. In addition, we did not receive the $1000 bonus that was touted as a sugar coating. We will not have comparative parity until 2010 but will still be expected to carry the same workload. It's ironic that the agreement actually acknowledges the value and work of leading teachers but obviously not when it comes to salaries.
Sheryl Gardner, Heidelberg
Crying poor
RE SHERYL Gardner's letter ("Teachers lose, again", 15/5): As a leading teacher who is one of the biggest winners out of the agreement, I am surprised that she thinks she has lost. The facts are that she will move from a salary of $72,314 to $78,019, effective May 11, 2008. This represents an immediate salary increase of 7.89%. Over the three years of the agreement her salary moves to $89,423 — an increase of 23.68%. I wonder how many Age readers would consider this a loss.
Mary Bluett, Australian Education Union Victorian Branch President
Deal doesn't add up
Deal doesn't add up
MARY Bluett (Letters, 17/5) is the head of one of Australia's largest unions. I am surprised that she would be so jubilant in claiming leading teachers will gain an increase of 23.68% over the three years of their agreement. This "increase" (which includes the salary increments teachers receive each year when they have demonstrated an improvement in skill and performance) comes with a huge catch. Teachers undertaking whole-school leadership jobs, such as curriculum co-ordinators or daily organisers (with 7am starts), will be relegated to the same pay as those who run a single department.
Without a corresponding increase in schools' leading teacher budgets, it doesn't take an A-grade student to work out that we will soon be seeing cuts in a) the number of leading teachers; b) the time allowances of leading teachers; or c) all of the above. I wonder how many people would not consider this a loss?
Paul Beekman, Brunswick
Victoria's teachers to be nation's highest-paid
Victoria's teachers to be nation's highest-paid
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 4 May 2008VICTORIAN teachers will become the highest-paid in Australia and secondary students will get an extra six days of tuition each year, the State Government ...
Vic teachers pay dispute resolved
Vic teachers pay dispute resolved
ABC Online, Australia - 4 May 2008Enterprise bargaining negotiations between the Government and the teachers union has dragged on for 14 months. But a deal has finally been reached the day ...
ABC Online, Australia - 4 May 2008Enterprise bargaining negotiations between the Government and the teachers union has dragged on for 14 months. But a deal has finally been reached the day ...
Wage deal a step in the right direction
Wage deal a step in the right direction
The Age, Australia - 5 May 2008YESTERDAY'S wage deal might not be the silver bullet for solving teacher shortages, boosting teaching quality and improving students' results. ...
The Age, Australia - 5 May 2008YESTERDAY'S wage deal might not be the silver bullet for solving teacher shortages, boosting teaching quality and improving students' results. ...
After the pay must come the performance, by all
After the pay must come the performance, by all
The Age, Australia - 5 May 2008Common sense prevails and Victoria's teachers win a much-needed salary increase. Now for a lift in performance. THE two sides of the education war — the ...
The Age, Australia - 5 May 2008Common sense prevails and Victoria's teachers win a much-needed salary increase. Now for a lift in performance. THE two sides of the education war — the ...
Teachers' rise a risk to inflation
VICTORIA'S 43,000 public school teachers will receive immediate pay rises of up to 15.2 per cent, fuelling a potentially inflationary wage push as public sector unions across Australia make catch-up claims.......
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23651604-661,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23651604-661,00.html
Teachers win new agreement for work trade-offs
TEACHERS were handed pay rises of up to $10,000 yesterday in a windfall deal that will cost well over $2 billion. .......
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23651604-661,00.html
Spin v Reality
The new Teachers Agreement –
1. The Spin:
“I am delighted and relieved - we have gone from being the lowest paid teachers in the country to the highest" – Mary Bluett, Union President http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/teachers-win-rise/374078.aspx
The Reality for teachers in 2008 (as best as can be ascertained):
To put this in perspective – pay for a 9th year teacher in Albury in 2008 is $75,352, in Wodonga it is $63,311.
Some Victorian teachers will be more than $12,000 or 16% worse off than their NSW counterparts in 2008.
2. The Spin:
"The focus of the AEU throughout this negotiation period has been to deliver an outcome that increased our ability to attract quality teachers to the profession and to retain teachers in Victorian public schools.” - http://www.aeuvic.asn.au/news/1209963907_18806.html
The Reality (as best as can be ascertained):
Consider a Victorian teacher that is in their eighth year of teaching in 2008. Over the four years that this agreement will operate, they will be $39,794 worse off than their NSW colleagues. This comparison assumes that NSW teachers will receive a 2.71% pay rise for the next 3 years. The Victorian teacher will be even worse off if, as expected, NSW teachers receive pay increases of greater than 2.71% in their new agreement.
All Victorian classroom teachers, except those already at the top of the scale, will be worse off over the life of this agreement, compared to their NSW colleagues.
3. The Spin:
"It's a complex arrangement, but the least any teacher is going to get out of this is somewhere between five and six per cent per annum,'' - Mary Bluett. http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/teachers-chalk-up-a-big-pay-win/2008/05/05/1209839508834.html?s_cid=rss_news
The Reality (as best as can be ascertained):
Consider the government’s initial offer of 3.25% per year. All teachers will do better than that under this agreement, surely?
Yes. Take a look at those teachers currently at the top of the Leading Teacher scale, at LT2-3. They are currently paid $78,675. What if the union had “caved in” to the government’s initial offer? Following four annual 3.25% rises, the pay of these teachers would have risen to $89,412 p.a.
In the final year of the proposed agreement, following their 4.9% + 2.71% + 2.71% + 2.71% rises, the pay of these teachers will be $89,423 p.a. - a whopping $11 p.a. difference.
In 2011, the most experienced Leading Teachers will be paid 21 cents a week more than the government had originally offered. That’s an improvement of half a cent per working hour!
4. The Spin:
“Victorian teachers will become the highest paid in the nation under a new pay deal reached today by the Australian Education Union and the State Government.” – AEU website http://www.aeuvic.asn.au/news/1209963907_18806.html
The Reality:
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, consumer prices are currently rising by 4.2% p.a., meaning that the 4.9% rise for most teachers is a real increase of 0.7%.
The agreement locks in wage increases of 2.71% for 2009, 2010 and 2011. The Reserve Bank of Australia has predicted the Consumer Price Index will be in the range of 3% to 3.5% until mid 2010:
If we compare the pay rises in the Teachers Agreement to the wage price index (that is, rises for people in all wage-paying jobs) the pay rises look even worse:
No other union would be likely to accept 2.71% increases – until 2011 – in the current inflationary climate. For the minority of teachers that will be paid on par with their NSW colleagues in 2008, it is clear that they will be well behind again in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
In 2009-11, pay rates for teachers will barely keep pace with expected inflation and Victorian teacher wages will fall relative to other workers.
And some more things:
(1) The union is about to sell to members how much they will be better off over the life of this agreement. E.g. “If you are an Xth year teacher, you will be Y% better off per year in this agreement. Remember the government was only offering 3.25% p.a.”
But teachers should not be hoodwinked by these % comparisons. The union is including the $1000/$1500 sweetener and your incremental moves up the salary scale in the annual % increases for the wonderful new agreement. But the union fails to mention your incremental moves up the salary scale in their statements regarding the government’s original 3.25% p.a. offer.
What’s that saying about apples and oranges?
It also doesn’t figure in the fact that the union have delivered 0.00% p.a. for the first five months of 2008, when the government’s position was to give us 3.25% p.a.
(2) This document has outlined the spin from the union. Consider what the union leadership could have said:
“This agreement is not perfect. It will deliver pay parity with NSW for some teachers in 2008, but not all. Unfortunately, we have had to trade off a bigger pay rise for 2008 with pay rises in future years that will be lucky to keep pace with inflation. The government wouldn’t budge on anything better.”
Such a statement would have been disappointing to union members and less likely to produce a headline. But it would have been better than what we got - the Union President singing from the Premier’s song sheet.
(3) At a recent meeting with members, the Union Secretary described the pay deal as a “huge victory” and said “the campaign was never about restorative salary justice”. This latter statement surprised the members that had attended the Vodafone Arena rallies and heard about the fight to overturn the massive differences in pay between NSW and Victorian teachers. The Union Secretary also indicated that he was “happy to sell the agreement to members.”
Members expect spin from used car salesmen and their government. Members don’t expect spin from the organisation that we pay our dues to, the one that is supposed to be looking after our interests.
(4) And finally, why are Victorian teachers currently “the lowest paid teachers in the country”, Mary Bluett?
Would it be because our union leadership “sold” teachers the last agreement?
Perhaps this time, teachers won’t be so easily sold…
Brent Houghton
houghton.brent.b@edumail.vic.gov.au
Agreement Draft - need annotated copy
Need annotated copy. i.e. what has been changed and what it means.
Otherwise members have to spend their time trying to matchj the old with the new and decode the legalese themselves.
Otherwise members have to spend their time trying to matchj the old with the new and decode the legalese themselves.
Organisational duties
Organisational Duties: Again this all seems new and gives nearly complete power to the principal - no mention of consultation. No mention of taking into account the teaching load, just roles and responisbilities !!! Agreement needs to state the time needed to support teaching so that staff know how many hours are available for "organisational duties"
p25. "The principal, as the Employer’s representative, has responsibility for determining the organisational duties necessary for the efficient running of the school and the time release (if any) and special payment (if any) applicable for each organisational duty.
Where it is determined that an organisational duty should attract a special payment the amount of the special payment may be set at different amounts depending on the classification level and range of the teacher undertaking that duty.
Should any organisational duty remain unfilled following the process set out in sub clauses (a) to (f) the principal, as the Employer’s representative, can allocate that duty to any teacher (including a teacher who has declined an offer under sub clause (f)) provided the duty is consistent with the roles and responsibilities that can be required of that teacher.
p25. "The principal, as the Employer’s representative, has responsibility for determining the organisational duties necessary for the efficient running of the school and the time release (if any) and special payment (if any) applicable for each organisational duty.
Where it is determined that an organisational duty should attract a special payment the amount of the special payment may be set at different amounts depending on the classification level and range of the teacher undertaking that duty.
Should any organisational duty remain unfilled following the process set out in sub clauses (a) to (f) the principal, as the Employer’s representative, can allocate that duty to any teacher (including a teacher who has declined an offer under sub clause (f)) provided the duty is consistent with the roles and responsibilities that can be required of that teacher.
Virtually prohibits any meeting at lunchtime
p26. entitled to a lunch period of not less than thirty minutes free from assigned duties.
This virtually prohibits any meeting at lunchtime. Would need local agreement to very this... = Bargaining chip.
This virtually prohibits any meeting at lunchtime. Would need local agreement to very this... = Bargaining chip.
Class Sizes:
p27: (3) In this context, and within the fixed resources provided to schools and the physical facilities schedule, class size should be planned on the minimum possible subject to clause 11(6). Provided that class sizes should be planned generally on the following basis.
Must remove "generally" !
It makes the clause virtually useless !! At least make them PLAN on 25's for gods sake ! Otherwise we will have them planning generally for 25's whil having 25% of classes at 30 !!! What clause stops that ?
Must remove "generally" !
It makes the clause virtually useless !! At least make them PLAN on 25's for gods sake ! Otherwise we will have them planning generally for 25's whil having 25% of classes at 30 !!! What clause stops that ?
"Certificate in lieu" from chemist should be mentioned
"Certificate in lieu" p.27 does not mention chemist specifically. may be included as "other health professional as approved by employer". Where is this list ? Better to have Chemist mentioned specifically.
Note: Max of 5 days using certificates in lieu
Note: Max of 5 days using certificates in lieu
Agreement Bulletin Monday June 2 4.30pm
Agreement Bulletin
Monday June 2 4.30pm Abbotsford AEU OfficeORTuesday June 3 4.30pm Frankston Frankston ArtsCentre1 delegate for every 20 financial members (or part thereof) in the sub branch. Voting cards sent to sub branches prior to meeting.
Draft; Attached downloaded from:
Principal Class Translations 14 May 2008
Proposed Memorandum of Understanding 14 May 2008
Ratification Process 14 May 2008
Draft Certified Agreement 14 May 2008
Teacher Class Translations 14 May 2008
Rolling Regional Stoppages - Index of Photos 01 May 2008
Watch the AEU's TV advertisements in support of the campaign 14 April 2008
November 21 speeches 01 December 2007
Schools Agreement 08
On May 14 2008, Joint Primary and Secondary Sector Council overwhelmingly endorsed a draft agreement for ratification by AEU members. The draft agreement is a significant win for teachers, principals and school communities across the state. The complete draft can be downloaded from the Background Information area at the bottom of this page.
2008 Schools Agreement at a glance
$10,000 pay rise from May 11 for 16,000 teachers
Around $5,000 pay rise for 5,000 teachers
$1000, $1500 or $2000 bonuses for most teachers/principals
Pay increases which average between 5.2% and 11.5% per year
Top rung classroom teachers now best paid in Australia
Best starting salary in Australia
Crackdown on contract abuse
Guaranteed summer pay for contract teachers who work full year and pro rata school holiday pay for all others
No loss of pupil free days
No loss of holidays
Enhanced consultation
Laptop discounts Further details are in the bulletin that has been sent out to schools on May 14 which is below in the News area.
The agreement will be effective as of May 11 2008, subject to the agreement being ratified by AEU members and then a ballot of the Victorian Teaching Service.
Details of the ratification meetings are posted in the Background Information area below. Other materials that explain the agreement will also be posted there as they are developed so please keep checking
SalariesAs of May 11, Victorian teachers at the top of the incremental scale become the highest paid teachers in Australia, at $75,500 -- an increase of more than $10,000, or 15.4%. Graduate teacher salaries will also be the highest at $51,184, more than $5000 or 11.1%. The NSW figures are $75,352 and $50,522 respectively.
All classifications increase by a minimum of 5.2% to 11.5%. This is achieved by a combination of one-off payments, restructuring and salary increases which include 4.9% from May 11, 2008, and 2.71% in January for each of 2009, 2010 and 2011.
While there are different outcomes for teachers and principals depending on their classification, no principal or teacher receives less than an average 5.19% per year over the life of the agreement -- significantly better than the Government offer of 3.25% per annum.
The effective date of increase is the pay period beginning May 11, 2008 subject to the agreement being ratified by AEU members.
In relation to "productivity" there is no loss of holidays and no loss of pupil free days. However there will be a change to the configuration of the pupil free days with two days being moved to the start of the year. There will be no more than three before the start of the student school year, with the capacity to vary one of these with the agreement of the employer. Teachers will not start the school year any earlier. Students will start later. Existing Department regulation will be restated, that requires 300 minutes of pupil instruction per day or 25 hours per week.
The introduction of 210 Teacher Assistants proposed for 2010 will be brought forward to the start of the 2009 school year, to relieve secondary teacher workload, with further discussions about expanding the program in subsequent years.
There are also very significant improvements in contract teacher employment.
Significant AchievementGiven the Government's offer of 3.25% plus further increases dependent on productivity, these salaries are a significant achievement indeed. The strong support of members for the campaign, the television ads and the ongoing media coverage have all built community support and pressure on the Government.
Member Newsletter to FollowAll AEU members will receive an Agreement Special Newsletter which will detail key elements of the Agreement prior to the member ratification process. This newsletter will arrive at homes in the week beginning May 26.
Ratification Process - Council Decision
"Joint Primary/Secondary Sector Council recommends to members the endorsement of the proposed Union Collective Agreement for Schools and the associated package of improvements.
That the following ratification process is adopted:
1. That a Certified Agreement Bulletin be sent to sub-branches informing members of the Joint Primary and Secondary Sectors Council meeting recommendation and outlining key elements of the proposed agreement and associated improvements.
2. That the proposed agreement and related information be posted on the AEU website www.aeuvic.asn.au as soon as possible and forwarded to schools.
3. That the following sub-branch delegate meetings be held in the two weeks commencing Monday June 2, 2008:
DATE TIME LOCATION VENUEMonday June 2 4.30pm Abbotsford AEU OfficeMonday June 2 4.30pm Warrnambool Macey's HotelTuesday June 3 4.30pm Ballarat Ballarat Trades HallTuesday June 3 4.30pm Frankston Frankston ArtsCentreWednesday June 4 4.30pm Deer Park Sunshine GolfClubWednesday June 4 5.00pm Leongatha Leongatha SCThursday June 5 4.45pm Bendigo Bendigo Trades HallThursday June 5 5.00pm Bairnsdale Bairnsdale SCThursday June 5 5.00pm Morwell Lowanna SCTuesday June 10 4.00pm Maryborough Maryborough EdCentreTuesday June 10 4.30pm Mildura Chaffey SCTuesday June 10 4.30pm Geelong Geelong T&LCWednesday June 11 5.00pm Benalla Benalla CollegeWednesday June 11 5.00pm Wodonga Wodonga PSWednesday June 11 4.30pm Swan Hill Swan Hill PSThursday June 12 5.00pm Shepparton McGuire CollegeThursday June 12 4.30pm Eltham Eltham HSThursday June 12 5.30pm Horsham Horsham College
4. That sub branch delegate entitlement be 1 delegate for every 20 financial members (or part thereof) in the sub branch. The Branch Secretary will forward the requisite number of accreditation cards to sub branches prior to June 2, 2008. That the delegates be appointed by each sub branch.
5. That each delegate be entitled to vote once at one ratification meeting only."
MARY BLUETTBranch President
BRIAN HENDERSONBranch Secretary
Contact DetailsAustralian Education Union (Victorian Branch)Ph: (03) 9417 2822Fax: (03) 9417 6198melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au http://www.aeuvic.asn.au
Monday June 2 4.30pm Abbotsford AEU OfficeORTuesday June 3 4.30pm Frankston Frankston ArtsCentre1 delegate for every 20 financial members (or part thereof) in the sub branch. Voting cards sent to sub branches prior to meeting.
Draft; Attached downloaded from:
Principal Class Translations 14 May 2008
Proposed Memorandum of Understanding 14 May 2008
Ratification Process 14 May 2008
Draft Certified Agreement 14 May 2008
Teacher Class Translations 14 May 2008
Rolling Regional Stoppages - Index of Photos 01 May 2008
Watch the AEU's TV advertisements in support of the campaign 14 April 2008
November 21 speeches 01 December 2007
Schools Agreement 08
On May 14 2008, Joint Primary and Secondary Sector Council overwhelmingly endorsed a draft agreement for ratification by AEU members. The draft agreement is a significant win for teachers, principals and school communities across the state. The complete draft can be downloaded from the Background Information area at the bottom of this page.
2008 Schools Agreement at a glance
$10,000 pay rise from May 11 for 16,000 teachers
Around $5,000 pay rise for 5,000 teachers
$1000, $1500 or $2000 bonuses for most teachers/principals
Pay increases which average between 5.2% and 11.5% per year
Top rung classroom teachers now best paid in Australia
Best starting salary in Australia
Crackdown on contract abuse
Guaranteed summer pay for contract teachers who work full year and pro rata school holiday pay for all others
No loss of pupil free days
No loss of holidays
Enhanced consultation
Laptop discounts Further details are in the bulletin that has been sent out to schools on May 14 which is below in the News area.
The agreement will be effective as of May 11 2008, subject to the agreement being ratified by AEU members and then a ballot of the Victorian Teaching Service.
Details of the ratification meetings are posted in the Background Information area below. Other materials that explain the agreement will also be posted there as they are developed so please keep checking
SalariesAs of May 11, Victorian teachers at the top of the incremental scale become the highest paid teachers in Australia, at $75,500 -- an increase of more than $10,000, or 15.4%. Graduate teacher salaries will also be the highest at $51,184, more than $5000 or 11.1%. The NSW figures are $75,352 and $50,522 respectively.
All classifications increase by a minimum of 5.2% to 11.5%. This is achieved by a combination of one-off payments, restructuring and salary increases which include 4.9% from May 11, 2008, and 2.71% in January for each of 2009, 2010 and 2011.
While there are different outcomes for teachers and principals depending on their classification, no principal or teacher receives less than an average 5.19% per year over the life of the agreement -- significantly better than the Government offer of 3.25% per annum.
The effective date of increase is the pay period beginning May 11, 2008 subject to the agreement being ratified by AEU members.
In relation to "productivity" there is no loss of holidays and no loss of pupil free days. However there will be a change to the configuration of the pupil free days with two days being moved to the start of the year. There will be no more than three before the start of the student school year, with the capacity to vary one of these with the agreement of the employer. Teachers will not start the school year any earlier. Students will start later. Existing Department regulation will be restated, that requires 300 minutes of pupil instruction per day or 25 hours per week.
The introduction of 210 Teacher Assistants proposed for 2010 will be brought forward to the start of the 2009 school year, to relieve secondary teacher workload, with further discussions about expanding the program in subsequent years.
There are also very significant improvements in contract teacher employment.
Significant AchievementGiven the Government's offer of 3.25% plus further increases dependent on productivity, these salaries are a significant achievement indeed. The strong support of members for the campaign, the television ads and the ongoing media coverage have all built community support and pressure on the Government.
Member Newsletter to FollowAll AEU members will receive an Agreement Special Newsletter which will detail key elements of the Agreement prior to the member ratification process. This newsletter will arrive at homes in the week beginning May 26.
Ratification Process - Council Decision
"Joint Primary/Secondary Sector Council recommends to members the endorsement of the proposed Union Collective Agreement for Schools and the associated package of improvements.
That the following ratification process is adopted:
1. That a Certified Agreement Bulletin be sent to sub-branches informing members of the Joint Primary and Secondary Sectors Council meeting recommendation and outlining key elements of the proposed agreement and associated improvements.
2. That the proposed agreement and related information be posted on the AEU website www.aeuvic.asn.au as soon as possible and forwarded to schools.
3. That the following sub-branch delegate meetings be held in the two weeks commencing Monday June 2, 2008:
DATE TIME LOCATION VENUEMonday June 2 4.30pm Abbotsford AEU OfficeMonday June 2 4.30pm Warrnambool Macey's HotelTuesday June 3 4.30pm Ballarat Ballarat Trades HallTuesday June 3 4.30pm Frankston Frankston ArtsCentreWednesday June 4 4.30pm Deer Park Sunshine GolfClubWednesday June 4 5.00pm Leongatha Leongatha SCThursday June 5 4.45pm Bendigo Bendigo Trades HallThursday June 5 5.00pm Bairnsdale Bairnsdale SCThursday June 5 5.00pm Morwell Lowanna SCTuesday June 10 4.00pm Maryborough Maryborough EdCentreTuesday June 10 4.30pm Mildura Chaffey SCTuesday June 10 4.30pm Geelong Geelong T&LCWednesday June 11 5.00pm Benalla Benalla CollegeWednesday June 11 5.00pm Wodonga Wodonga PSWednesday June 11 4.30pm Swan Hill Swan Hill PSThursday June 12 5.00pm Shepparton McGuire CollegeThursday June 12 4.30pm Eltham Eltham HSThursday June 12 5.30pm Horsham Horsham College
4. That sub branch delegate entitlement be 1 delegate for every 20 financial members (or part thereof) in the sub branch. The Branch Secretary will forward the requisite number of accreditation cards to sub branches prior to June 2, 2008. That the delegates be appointed by each sub branch.
5. That each delegate be entitled to vote once at one ratification meeting only."
MARY BLUETTBranch President
BRIAN HENDERSONBranch Secretary
Contact DetailsAustralian Education Union (Victorian Branch)Ph: (03) 9417 2822Fax: (03) 9417 6198melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au http://www.aeuvic.asn.au
VOTE NO!
Attend ratification meetings
Now that the AEU Council has voted to recommend the proposed agreement for ratification, you have the opportunity to have your say at the ratification meetings. Many members have said that they will leave the union as a result of this agreement, but the better option is to stay in, become active and build the union. It is the strength and resolve of members that determines the strength of the union and it is time for a leadership that reflects this. If this divisive agreement is voted down, this will force the leadership to go back and negotiate a better deal that includes genuine pay rises for all and improve everyone’s conditions. Parents and the community will continue to support us fighting for the conditions to put the students first which is what education should be about.
Why are we the lowest paid teachers in Australia?
The AEU leadership has exposed itself with this pathetic agreement. They have proposed, and we have accepted under pressure, two similar poor agreements since the Bracks Government was elected. It is these poorly negotiated agreements which have left Victorian teachers the lowest paid in Australia. This time we have the support of 85% of the public and a fantastic campaign – only to be offered this pathetic agreement by our leadership. No wonder Brumby kissed Mary Bluett!
| | No change to conditions – not good enough
Don’t trade off better working conditions for a pay rise Do not endorse this agreement. Vote no. | Pupil Free Days. It is not a win that we have no loss to our holidays and no loss to the number of pupil free days. In our log we asked to increase the number of days, as the government constantly wants us to implement new initiatives, such as the new Blueprint! By having 3 of the 4 days to the beginning of the year, schools are being denied the flexibility to organise the PD that they need. It is very difficult to plan and prepare for Curriculum days at the beginning of the year. Also, the proposed arrangement means that Secondary schools now lose 1 report writing day, which worsens their conditions and means that Primary schools have no hope of achieving report writing days.
Contracts All the talk about major gains for contract teachers is just hype. It is true that there are some improvements in the lot of contract teachers – any teacher on a 1 year contract will automatically be paid over the January holidays and it is now much easier to qualify to be rolled over to an ongoing position. But what the agreement does not deliver is any increase in the number of ongoing positions. One of the supposed gains is that the government will monitor contracts. Watching contracts will not reduce them – the government and the AEU have been watching them for the last 8 years and they are still at higher levels than under Kennett.
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The facts about the pay deal!
This agreement is divisive, offering vastly different outcomes to different groups. In fact Mary Bluett has acknowledged that this agreement, as well as the 2 past agreements, has delivered differential outcomes to different groups. A union should be about improving everyone’s pay and conditions, not 24% for some and 13% for others.
| If this agreement is so good, why are the facts being misrepresented? Four years, not three While the agreement may be for 3 years the pay increases have to cover a 4 year period. We have not had a pay increase for one and a half years. We were due one in Jan 2008 and we cannot get another pay rise until Jan 2012 Jan 2012 take away Jan 2008 = 4 years Including increments! Including the increments in the overall pay increases makes the increase look much bigger, but if you were going to get an increment in the current agreement, then you will get an increment in this agreement. The table below clearly shows that the same result would have been achieved if we had accepted the original offer of 3.25% each year for 4 years. The difference of $9 to $11 p.a. in the final salary is because the first pay increase is larger. | But what about all the teachers in the middle, Mary? | ||
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| “..teachers at the bottom and top of the scale are winners” Mary Bluett The Age 18/5/08 | |||
Bonus or backpay?
The $1000, $1500 or $2000 is not part of your substantive salary and does not carry over to the following years. This is backpay for the 4 months of this year that we got no increase. For most classifications it is less than what the back pay should be and several classifications will not even get the extra payment.
Parity, but not for all!
Parity with NSW is only for teachers in the top and the bottom classifications. It will now take 11 years for a Victorian teacher to get to the top while it only takes NSW teachers 8 years. Under the proposed deal, from the second year, NSW teachers are ahead and continue to be significantly ahead until the thirteenth year when we finally catch up.
So the proposed agreement delivers neither
parity with NSW nor 10% p.a.!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Did you go on strike for $8 a year?
Your pay if we accepted the government’s original offer of 3.25% per year (13% over 4 years).
| Current classif-ication | Current Salary | May-08 3.25% | Jan-09 3.25% | May 1 2009 | Jan-10 3.25% | May 1 2010 | Jan-11 3.25% | May 1 2011 | What the Proposed Agreement delivers May 1-2011 | Difference per year in final salary |
| LT 2-3 | 78,675 | 81,232 | 81,232 | 83,872 | 83,872 | 86,598 | 86,598 | 89,412 | 89,423 | $11 |
| LT 2-2 | 76,494 | 78,980 | 78,980 | 81,547 | 81,547 | 86,598 | 84,197 | 89,412 | 89,423 | $11 |
| LT 2-1 | 74,375 | 76,792 | 76,792 | 79,288 | 79,288 | 81,865 | 81,865 | 89,412 | 89,423 | $11 |
| A5 | 59,401 | 61,332 | 63,325 | 65,604 | 67,736 | 69,836 | 72,106 | 74,341 | 74,351 | $10 |
| A4 | 57,755 | 59,632 | 61,570 | 63,325 | 65,383 | 67,736 | 69,938 | 72,106 | 72,115 | $9 |
| A3 | 56,154 | 57,979 | 59,863 | 61,570 | 63,571 | 65,383 | 67,508 | 69,938 | 69,946 | $8 |
| A2 | 54,598 | 56,372 | 58,205 | 59,863 | 61,809 | 63,571 | 65,637 | 67,508 | 67,516 | $8 |
| A1 | 53,085 | 54,810 | 56,592 | 58,205 | 60,096 | 61,809 | 63,818 | 65,637 | 65,645 | $8 |
| G4 | 50,184 | 51,815 | 53,499 | 56,592 | 58,431 | 60,096 | 62,049 | 63,818 | 63,826 | $8 |
| G3 | 48,793 | 50,379 | 52,016 | 53,499 | 55,238 | 58,431 | 60,330 | 62,049 | 62,057 | $8 |
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Please copy this leaflet and distribute it to members at your school and other schools.
If you want an email copy of this leaflet to email to your colleagues, contact us at teachersalliance@hotmail.com
For more information go to our website www.teachers-alliance.org
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