Schools

 

NSW Public Schools could not function without the vital work of our School Administrative and Support Staff members. The PSA commits to continue to work with staff, school communities and the Department of Education to ensure that SAS Staff are valued as much as teachers.

 

The Rank and File team understand that improvements require strong advocacy from the Union when negotiating with the Department. We will ensure members and delegates have strong industrial support.

 

Achievements:

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• The Equal Pay Case on behalf of SAS Staff was lodged and won by the incoming R & F team in the Industrial Commission.  An historic 19% pay rise over three years was won.  PSA has talked about lodging such a case for many years and within the first year of being elected this case was lodged. 

• Working closely with Schools Delegates has brought much quicker action on issues as they arise.

• A working group has been created for SAOs working in Science.  This along with better servicing of the General Assistants Advisory Group and the Special Education Working Group has meant that specialised areas of the membership can be given more attention.

• New Schools Delegates Committee was elected.  This group is enthusiastic and has received training from the PSA on how to be active delegates.  The relationship between the PSA staff and the delegates is now a close one.

• Communications with Schools members through Bulletins and Social Media has increased and improved leading to record recruitment of members.

• Working with the delegates the PSA has developed a campaign to improve the conditions of SAS Staff.  The campaign – “Worth 100%, Paid, Protected, Permanent” – advocates for Permanency for long-term temporary staff; Protection through management of workloads and safety initiatives to assist SLSOs who are facing violence or other WHS risks; and improved pay (gained via the Pay Equity Case).  This campaign is ongoing and reflects the wishes of members and delegates.

 

The Rank and File team commit to:

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1. Fighting the creeping return of a temporary and casual workforce – Permanent and ongoing employment should be the norm not the exception

2. Monitoring the implementation of the ‘Local Schools, Local Decisions’ policy to ensure all positions are kept and, if necessary, enhanced

3. Continue with the other elements of Worth 100% campaign now that pay equity has been achieved.

4. Lobby about staffing levels of General Assistants, SAS Staff and Business Managers and other support staff in Schools

5. Pursue the Department to achieve respect and fairer access to leave for Psychologists in schools.