brian

Mar 18, 08 - 7:58 PM

DIRECTIVE ONE

What is going on with Directive One?

Some schools seem to be fully embracing it and in other schools it is business as usual.

Most schools fall somewhere in between.

Might I suggest that we are in for a protracted battle with Big Al and his mates, and that Blind Freddy knows that we need to pressure the government and we need to do it NOW!

No Balls, No Countryweek, no carnivals, no extra-curricular camps, no ski-trips, no Japanese visits, no
Canberra trips, no Productions, no afterschool drama music dancing homework, no extra meetings - NO EXTRA!

Prepare lessons, teach, assess and report.DO ONLY THE JOB THEY PAY YOU DO - NO EXTRA!

Go to Stop Work meetings and strike if instructed to do so by the Union but do something now.

Refuse payment, refuse TOIL and do not assist parents to find ways to make EXTRA - curricular activities run.

Do not plan for activities that might happen later in the thinking we are going to get a significant pay rise and improvement in conditions. The next offer will be marginally better than the last. Let's stop fluffing around and draw a line in the sand.

Without sounding over dramatic if we don't get what we deserve this time , we are not only letting ourselves down but also the next generation of teachers and students.

Do you agree?

Not Me

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:03 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Yep

Christine Kelly

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:10 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Most definitely agree.At my school even the most ardent unionist level 3 administrator bends over backwards to offer toil for teachers who volunteer for the Ball etcetera.Directive 1 is not making a ripple as a result.The parents are none the wiser about what constitutes our actual duties.We've spent so many years doing extra duties they just take it for granted.

As I've said before - take away the extras and parents will react.I am actually a big fan of extra curricula activities and a big supporter and understand what a loss to the community they can be when abandoned.By the same token life is a lot simpler and you start to wonder where you found the time.

Pedro

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:15 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

This is the problem that needs to be seriously looked at if we are to go forward and truly put pressure on.

Teachers as a rule are generally too giving and have that 'do it for the kids' attitude.

However this is where HODS/HOLA's and administrators need to also put pressure on and ban these activities whilst the directive is in place. My HOD loves the fact that there is no BOM meeting and the school hasn't fallen apart as a result of there being no meetings.

I can't remember the last time we had an organiser from the union out at my school but there certainly seems to be a lack of communication and strong direction on this.

Fred

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:40 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Pedro, have an organiser be directed to come out to your worksite. Get a commitment for an actual date. Ask Val Lawson - she's really good!

marko vojkovic

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:41 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

As the IRC said, Directive 1 is not industrial action. It is following previous EBAs.

But for God's sake please let the SSTUWA rewrite it so it is clear. The objective is to have an effect not accrue TOIL or the odd contract payment. The idea is to show the public what we do on top of our regular teaching duties. I will not agree to any grey areas. Either we are in this together or we are not. We must put pressure on the Principals Association to support us.

If there is an EBA 3 I am convinced it will be rubbish. They are stalling to diffuse the feeling at the chalkface.

I call on the office bearers of the SSTUWA and the Executive to re-word Directive 1 by removing the TOIL and contract payment options. This must be accompanied by a list of activities and functions which must not proceed. I also call on all branches to pass motions to that effect.

Secondary Teacher

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:53 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

I am appalled that the Ball at my school is going ahead. Teachers have to pay to attend!! Why doesn't the Union list out activities such as Balls as "no no" - also toil and other ways of getting around Directive 1 should also be listed as " no no". If the Union fails to do this too many teachers are being coerced into doing things - "for the good of the students". Let the parents supervise the Balls.

Crabby

Mar 18th, 2008 - 8:54 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Pressure on the Principals, HOW? Sorry but most seem to lack any principles and/or don't have the guts to support us. (Apologies to the minority of supporting principals, you are worth yor weight in gold.) Unfortunately the principal at my school is a DET lackey who is mate this, I'd like to but my hands are tied, etc, etc. Isn't it time the Primary Principals' Association stood up and were accountable! (Or are you going to refuse the wage rise we earn for you?)

Fred

Mar 18th, 2008 - 9:13 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

"...Why doesn't the Union list out activities such as Balls as "no no" -..."

I refuse to believe that members are ignorant of what their responsibilities are if they've already had Directive 1 shoved in their face. Further, staff have come to me to seek clarification about their responsibilities. For example, some have decided to attend the ball once it has been made clear that they should not be attending the ball. A former Union rep has just recently attended a two-day camp! One-third of the members at my worksite actually attended the school ball. Almost all of the members at my worksite attended branch meetings to vote unanimously for the escalation of industrial action. Go figure!

inside the tower

Mar 18th, 2008 - 10:23 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Get your rep to photocopy updates, and put in each SSTU pigeon hole. Get your rep to hold weekly 15 min meetings. Get your rep active or help her/him out.
The union uses website, pod cass, faxstream, e-stream, newspapers, TV etc. Yes you can complain about the quality but the variety is there and now EBA updates will be weekly not fortnightly.... the executive heard your request and weekly EBAs and the pod casts are part of that support which senior offciers have agreed to....but work with your rep, support your rep.... or update your union detaills and forward for the e-stream. Get your rep to get all SSTU staff names, ID (union) and emails and send it in.

Jan Morrow

Mar 18th, 2008 - 10:29 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

There is a good reason why teachers buy ball discounts (hopefully at a discount), because if teachers got free ball tickets then that would constitute a taxable fringe benefit. Just like free accomodation or meals on Country Week is also a taxable fringe benefit. Well, at least according to the ATO. I found this out years ago whilst teaching at a country high school.

Fred

Mar 18th, 2008 - 10:42 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Inside the Tower, we do essentially all of that except the photocopying it all is too expensive....but we also want to be able to let all of the worksites in our District know what we're doing and we're told by the Union that there is a privacy issue there with acquisition of Union reps and their email addresses. We can do this ourselves...but it just takes much, much longer and might be more hit-and-miss. I can access anyone's DET addy through Midas. Why can't I access all members' addies for communiques through the secure union website, for example?

primarytch

Mar 18th, 2008 - 10:46 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

I would love to have Directive 1 CLEARLY articulated as most teachers I know seem to think that if it is covered by payment or TOIL then it is ok.
What is acceptable ? Our school has grant funded after school sports activities running (and teachers for years have donated their payments back to the school for purchase of equipment, etc). Is this ok ? Or interschool sports days ????
A clear, concise list of acceptable / not across the range of duties and extras sent out to all members would help to clarify some very muddy waters.
Actually I advocate just going to straight 'work to rule' - easy, simple to understand and is basically just doing what we are paid to do and nothing more.
Giving the option of TOIL / payment has only allowed bonus programs to continue running on goodwill a susual.

SET

Mar 18th, 2008 - 10:46 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

I agree with the posts from Marko and others. It is time to issue a stronger, clearer and more comprehensive version of Directive One.

There should be no escape clause invoving TOIL or contract payments.

Teachers should remember that Directive One was meant to take effect from the first school day of this year if there had not been significant progress towards a fair and reasonable EBA.

We are now in Week Seven of Term One and we see no progress. In fact, the Government/DET has gained an IRC Order against us and has taken out a series of newspaper advertisements as part of their propaganda campaign against us.

It is time to respond.

Just a Maths teacher

Mar 19th, 2008 - 12:27 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Directive One will NOT EVER work while there are only 60%?, 65%? whatever, but not 90% to 100% Union membership as 6here are in the Policemens' or Nurses' Unions.

Directive One is not wotking now - not at my high school, anyway.

In my school NOW, the school ball is going ahead - the Year Coordinator even had the audacity to invite me to the ball, he could not be bothered to find out who the Union members were. I will reply that I can't attend because of Directive 1.

In 1995 when my son was in Year 7, teachers at his Primary school cancelled the camp becasue of Directive One. As parents had fundraised all year for this, most of them were understandably upset.

In the same year, Union members at his school refused to stay back after school to judge the best high jumper, long jumper etc. As a result the best Year 7 athlete, my friend's son, did not win the 'Best Athlete' Trophy. Instead my son won that trophy. To this day he knows he wouldn't have got it if not for Directive 1.

In that same year, with Directive 1 in place, most primary schools in our area did not put on extra tution classes during lunch times to prepare their students for entrance exams into private schools for Year 8.

One or two primary schools in my area either ignored this Directive or had at least one teacher who was willing to tutor the kids (lunch time, remember), as a result there was an inordinate number of students from that school obtaining scholarships.

In 1998 or 1999, Directive 1 was again in place.. This time the year 12 coordinator in my school, who WAS a Union member, organised the school ball. His rationale was ' the kids will be so disappointed!'

The Union must now recruit all non members. Convince them that they would be better off if they were members.

marko vojkovic

Mar 19th, 2008 - 1:59 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Whether or not individual members follow Directive 1 is not the point. It should be re-worded so there is no ambiguity.

With things likes balls, I take the point that 65% membership is not high enough to prevent it happening. But it is high enough to force other things to be cancelled. Interim reports could not go out if only 35% of teachers did them. Faculty meetings likewise.

Also, balls are usually part of the Year Coordinator's job description so pretty hard to not organise.

I will be contacting Western Power to ask for Solar Car challenge to be cancelled this year. Failing that, I will also contact as many of the private schools as I can to ask them to pull out in support. Perhaps Rock Eistedford(sic) could do the same.

There are also many activities which could be threatened with cancellation. The parents would be very upset and would immediately contact their local MP to ask for a quick resolution to our pay claim.

inside the tower, why is it left up to lowly classroom teachers on this website (that Anne has no time for and motions exist to condemn all use thereof) to come up with ideas? I thought these people were experienced? A chess player who has lost 58 games straight is more experienced another who has won 6 in a row. What's missing here is talent.

Regarding putting pressure on Principals, has anyone from the SSTUWA asked to address the association? We shouldn't assume that they aren't sympathetic.

Boxer

Mar 19th, 2008 - 5:35 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Marko we (MF) must organise and plan better to achieve total control of executive including senior executive.

I think you're right about the talent or lack thereof.

Dangly earrings, a determined grimace and solemn tone, does not a leader make. The anachronistic mo, jacket with leather elbow patches, and lecturing preacher approach didn’t do it for Mike either.

For goodness sake, these people have nothing else to do other than to run the union, protect members' right and conditions and maintain a line of communication with members. Why is it that they find it so hard?

They’ve a gaggle of full time staff, district organisers, a CBD office with faxes and phones, they’ve got a web site that with a little tweaking may actually work, they’ve got everyone’s home and email addresses and they’ve got their own newspaper. Maybe the reason they don’t communicate with members is that they either don’t see the need or simply have nothing to say. Either way, they seem to be pulling wages under false pretences.

Can it be that there are several competing agendas running concurrently? Surely it shouldn’t be left to members to come up with the strategic plans and force the “leadership” into action.

And what’s this about the edict banning communication on PLATO? Maybe if the union bothered to formulate an effective web site a bit of communication could happen there. I can’t access it now, although I could once.

brian

Mar 19th, 2008 - 7:19 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

You don't have to be a union member to follow Directive 1. You just have to be an intelligent, independent, fair minded, principled individual who realizes that education is at the crossroads. You might teach private, catholic, secondary, primary, TAFE, university or kindergarten. You might be an administrator.

It makes no difference - just do something now to help bring about positive change.

Don't wait to be told by the union or a colleague, work it out for yourself.

Tell the people you work with this is your position from today.

DO IT.

Smithers

Mar 19th, 2008 - 7:27 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Hi Boxer

The senior union executive are a disgrace. They are letting us down in every instance. They are deliberately stalling, dragging their feet, blocking open discussion and debate, misinforming and abrogating responsibility.

Where's the new website?
Why aren't there detailed updates?
What is the next planned action?
Where is our campaign?
Where are the clever counter arguments?
Where is our leader?

etc etc

Smithers

Michael Findlay

Mar 19th, 2008 - 7:29 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

A leader cannot lead those who refuse to be lead.

I agree D1 should, and probably will, be reworded. But the lack of perfect clarity is not the reason that many union members are not following D1; these members either lack commitment, fortitude or both.

It is time to put pressure on your mates and colleagues.

Boxer

Mar 19th, 2008 - 7:50 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

But they could give it a go Michael.

Where are the rousing and uplifting missives from up above? Where are the press releases succinctly stating teachers' concerns and the tragic folly of government mishandling of education? Where's the communication to the teaching population stating how the negotiations are going; what are the sticking points, and when a resolution is likely.

As it is, it's a bit like the coach going AWOL at grand final time on the grounds that the players won't do as they're told. The “leadership” is for all intents and purposes, invisible.

The leadership vacuum is not created by teachers "refusing to follow". It's caused by individuals in senior executive positions who are either unwilling or incapable of providing intelligent strategic and visible leadership. In short, it exposes the present senior executive as a pack of individuals who lack either the wit or will to robustly advance teachers’ conditions.

If Raggedey and company aren’t up to the job, as it seems, they shouldn’t have thrown their hats in the leadership ring.

marko vojkovic

Mar 19th, 2008 - 8:01 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

I agree Mike and the first place to start is to remove their 'out clause' in Directive 1.

When I shake this virus, I will certainly be talking to non-Union members at my school. Not pressuring, just talking. I always invite them to Union meetings even though commenting and voting are out.

Curiously, not one of them isn't supportive and several are the first to ask me "What's happening?".

Their reasons for not being members are:

1. Too much money.
2. Used to be a member, pulled out because the exec. are useless.
3. Don't believe in Unions.

Their reasons for not taking action in support:

1. Don't want to get in trouble.
2. I'm just doing what I'm told (see #1)
3. Don't want the kids to miss out (code for #1)

This is why we need to get the Principals onside. Directive #1 is only as strong as your Principal's commitment to their Union. Remember is was they who broke ranks in '95 and signed separate deals. We musn't allow that to happen again.

Fizz Ed

Mar 19th, 2008 - 8:33 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

At our school we have an early close on wednesday and our staff have Learning Team and Learning Area meetings alternating every week. Every Union member has been attending, including myself.

Senior Management meetings run once a week for up tp two hours and every union member involved has been attending. Our school is getting ready for Progress Reports and all union members are (or was)getting ready, happily to enter data.

I contacted our union rep yesterday as the penny dropped. He later confirmed that under Directive One we should not be performing these tasks.

I can't speak for all members but i'm sure some have no idea what constitutes Directive One and the two Deputies, Principal and level 3's know exctly what's going on.

I asked my Team Leader(level 3) what he thought about Directive One and he replied," I would'nt be able to get out of the way of the snowball coming down the mountain". He has been in a union member for over three decades!!!!!!

Suffice to say, our union rep and i are going to have some interesting, and no doubt conflicting times ahead.

As Ben Cousins said after the 2005 Grand Final "this is not the end, it's only the beginning".(Ok I know what your thinking but you get the message).

Bill Kilner

Mar 19th, 2008 - 8:44 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Directive One needs to be more implicit and this was going to be done by the Campaign Committee. As an Executive Member I was under the belief they were meeting regularly.
They haven't and this needs to change.The directive should be clear with no out clauses.eg
No meetings other than those in our Agreement.Learning Areas are not then don't attend.We all need to be strong including Administrators.

BH

Mar 19th, 2008 - 8:55 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Dont forget ..... no Graduation ceromonies at years end. I also feel we ought be telling parents that these extra activities are to be cancelled if we dont get a satisfactory outcome.

Tired

Mar 19th, 2008 - 9:35 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Performance Management? A relief should be provided for this to occur? Shouldn't be done before school, lunch, after school or in your DOTT?

AP

Mar 19th, 2008 - 10:12 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

It is easy to interpret Directive 1 in different ways and work round it. The intent of Directive 1 is to work to the last EBA. The union allowing members to recieve TOIL or payment only serves to blur the issue. It also makes it hard when we hear of schools that are not following the Directive.
This is what has happen at Narrogin SHS. Firstly the management team agreed that no payment or TOIL would be made for voluntary activities. Paying teachers costs the school, TOIL costs the school money and probably increases the workload on other teachers.

Directive 1 has resulted in the following:-
No Management Meetings
No Departmental Meetings
No School Social
No Summer Carnival
No Interim Reports
No Committee Meetings (Resource, Financial, Technology)

I am not aware of any
Full Student Service Meetings
No Performance Management.

The future looks very bleak for Country Week.

Members at this site voted against the last offer in effect rejecting a 10% increase in allowances for the good of all.

It is therefore a concern when we hear of other schools not supporting the directive.

Now is the time to stand together

MiM

Mar 19th, 2008 - 7:30 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Fizz Ed
"At our school we have an early close on wednesday and our staff have Learning Team and Learning Area meetings alternating every week. Every Union member has been attending, including myself."

WHY ?????????????????????????????

RC

Mar 19th, 2008 - 7:38 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

If we are still banging our heads agaist this government come the 1st day of next term, I hope all union staff (especially Country) and anyone else who wants to throw in their support does one of the following in regard to the CC's COS PD.
1. If you have to travel from the country make sure you are provided with a car or airfare with taxi fares at the Metro end, travel down on Sunday and bill the department for your hotel accomodation or
2. Leave school at the normal time of employment (perhaps 8:30am) in a provided car, drive to Perth and then leave in time to be back at normal knock off time.

Secondary Teacher

Mar 19th, 2008 - 8:24 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Don't attend the NCOS PD sessions.

Patrick F Whalen

Mar 22nd, 2008 - 5:30 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Mim & ST, don't forget the meetings during "early dismissal" time are not out of hours. But don't stay longer than the normal end of the school day. As for the NCOS PD that is also during normal school hours. As for DOTT, remember it stands for "Duties other than teaching", so admin could justify a PM meeting at that time. I prefered the older name for a "free lesson, "P&C" Preparation and Correction.

Crabby

Mar 22nd, 2008 - 5:40 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

We too have early close, Thursday afternoon, but as the timetable has been jigged so we do our alloted time union members often make a point of leaving at the early close time. Admin don't put meetings, etc on at these times anymore! The're learning. (Not too long ago at early close time you would see an admin person out at the carpark checking on who was leaving early.......and sometimes even telling staff that they had to stay!) Mim, your staff don't have to stay either.

Fiona

Mar 22nd, 2008 - 6:33 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Patrick, you say "don't forget the meetings during 'early dismissal' time are not out of hours". Don't assume this. Most primary schools who have early close have redone the timetable to ensure students get the correct contact time. It is our time. Union members at my school have not been attending meetings at this time but it is only ourselves we are hurting. Our curriculum momentum has slowed as a result but parents won't understand that.

Charlie Myres

Mar 22nd, 2008 - 6:54 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

"As for the NCOS PD that is also during normal school hours." Pat W.

Well may it be; however; the time taken to travel to these meetings needs to be taken into consideration. I will not be going in my own car; they can supply one. If it will take longer to get there than the 15 minutes I usually spend walking to school, then I will not be going.

Patrick F Whalen

Mar 22nd, 2008 - 10:24 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

I was speaking from a single school experience about the "early closure", which was a bona fide reduced teaching time. I also accept the travelling concern about the NCOS PD. For me it cuts my travel to school by 15 minutes. PLEASE, don't anyone think I was speaking against Directive 1 (or 2, 3 and 4 if they ever eventuate). I was only alerting to possible problems if "work to rule" was misinterpreted. Thanks for the clarifications.

Phantom

Mar 22nd, 2008 - 10:34 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

How are Parent-teacher meetings affected? They are in our own time, so should we not attend? My school is planning such an afternoon/evening.

MiM

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 1:20 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

"i'm sure some have no idea what constitutes Directive One" I agree! It is fairly obvious from this thread that many people do not understand the current EBA very well. This is half the problem why teachers are so UNDERvalued!!

Members must go to union training and GET INFORMED! (Check out what is currently available.) As a rep, I encouraged members to go, but it was nigh on impossible! At least D1 is making people re-think, and making them find out WHAT they should/shouldn't be doing!

OFFERING TOIL:
Comments on here indicate many do not want TOIL or payment offered so that out-of-hours work does not go ahead. "The objective is to have an effect not accrue TOIL or the odd contract payment."

I don't believe we should be trying to get parents offside so that they will complain! I see it D1 as an 'in-house' thing to have just reward for one's services.

Getting admins to arrange TOIL/payment IS having an effect! Admins may complain bitterly, but if they WON'T pay, activities are getting cancelled:

"the management team agreed that no payment or TOIL would be made for voluntary activities. Paying teachers costs the school, TOIL costs the school money and probably increases the workload on other teachers." AP then lists 6 things that are now cancelled!

"most teachers seem to think if it is covered by payment or TOIL then it is ok" At this stage, that is correct. We refuse to continue to give, give, give without appropriate compensation.

How can we regain our standing in the community if people think we will continue to offer our services for nothing?

IMO to remove the TOIL/pay option would mean D1 would be outside our current agreement and therefore be considered INDUSTRIAL ACTION, so it is better left as is...

"I am actually a big fan of extra curricula activities and a big supporter and understand what a loss to the community they can be when abandoned"

I'm sure most teachers would agree with Christine, but if we are to get IMPROVED salaries, we need to show that we won't work for nothing! D1 is not asking you to 'give up' these enrichment activities - I don't think that is the point of the exercise. (I know MV would disagree, as may others...)

By getting TOIL/pay, we are also setting a precedent, and it is finally being recognised how much 'extra' teachers are being asked to do. D1 has the potential to ensure any future a/hrs activity will require payment in order to go ahead.

"Giving the option of TOIL/payment has only allowed bonus programs to continue running on goodwill as usual." If you are getting TOIL/paid for it, then it is no longer goodwill!!

To have a record of all the 'extra' payments being made will be useful in the Commission when detailing all those little 'extras' being added to teachers' workload ... However, if teachers want to go above and beyond (like they do now) at least we can get you paid for it!

The Union has a proforma to record TOIL - make use of it to ensure the 'time' just doesn't disappear.

ORGANISERS:
"I can't remember the last time we had an organiser from the union out at my school" The correct protocol is for organisers to be INVITED to schools, not just turn up at a site. Your branch is in control of this!! (We have often had our organiser out - to celebrate a new member, to attend branch meetings, to problem solve issues and explain union positions, to have morning tea with us & give organisers opportunity to meet informally with all staff.)

Why not invite one out to do a "munch & learn" session during your lunch hour? NB: They LOVE invites!

INFORMING MEMBERS:
"photocopying it all is too expensive".
Schools are obliged to provide reps access to p/copying resources, telephone, faxes, etc under Clause 111 - Union Facilities. There should have no expenses associated with it. If you are going to be charged by the school, use your BRANCH CAPITATION fees to pay. (Some branches haven't even bothered to APPLY for this money! Why not? Its YOUR money, after-all! Make use of it!)

EARLY CLOSE:
"early dismissal" time (is) not out of hours."
No so, Pat. Schools HAVE to provide a set amount of instruction time per week (1550 mins Primary; 1600mins Secondary). They cannot 'wipe off' 60 mins!! Check your school's times and count up the total minutes to see whether the 'early close' is your own time, or not!

Our school 'redistributed' that hour (5x10mins onto the start of each day; shortened lunch by 5x2mins) to make up the 60 mins! (Crabby, I haven't been to EC mtgs since 2001!)

PHANTOM re

ARENT TEACHER MTGS:
Read the little red book! "Teachers' Duties"
Clause 18:6
"...up to two (2) meetings with parents/carers to discuss students' progress, can be required of all teaching staff outside student instruction hours each year", to be determined in "full and proper consultation" with teaching staff...

In our school, we have negotiated to attend a Term 1 Parent Meeting afternoon (over 2 days) and to hold an "Open Night" in Term 3 for students to show off their work. That will constitute our 2 meetings. (This does not preclude the incidental meetings we have from time-to-time for individual parents to discuss any concerns or issues with a particular student.)

HOWEVER:
Clause 18:4
"Payment or TOIL may be considered for agreed work undertaken outside of official student instruction time for such activities as school camps, music and drama festivals and performances and parent interviews.

IMO we should all claim TOIL for the time spent from the afternoon siren, until the last parent leaves! (Usually around 5pm)

(Last year, I expected payment to attend as it wasn't my regular work day - and I got it - with the proviso that I "wasn't to let other staff members know"! What a joke! If it's in the agreement - claim it! You are entitled to it!)

marko vojkovic

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 7:09 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

A couple of questions MiM.

1. Where does the money come from for TOIL and contract payments for Directive 1? There is no bottomless pit of money and DET certainly won't pay.

2. Most teachers I speak to regard TOIL as a trap shot for young players. You usually don't get to choose when you take it, the actual amount granted for prolonged activities is way less than the actual hours put in (eg weekend camps, 1 day camp = 1 day TOIL when you have been on call and duty 24 hours a day), your teaching program is disrupted which is anathema to teachers of Years 11 and 12 and you still have to spend time preparing the lessons for the relief and then debriefing upon your return.

In terms of annoying the parents, I don't think I want to annoy them as much as demonstrate to them how much we do on top of the straight teaching. Sometimes they take for granted that 'a teacher will be there to look after them.' Getting TOIL or extra payment will camouflage that false expectation.

I am teaching above my load this year. I took on an extra 0.1 class. Foolishly I thought that would translate into 1.1 of my salary. Couldn't have been more wrong. In other words, contract payments are also a trap. DET saw us coming on that one.

Directive 1 should be used to sheet home to DET and the Government that ALL teachers deserve to be recognised for the work they do, not only for what some right wing economic rationalists think we do (9am - 3pm with all those holidays!).

Fred

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 7:18 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Marko, are you (at least) being paid relief teacher rates for the extra 0.1?

marko vojkovic

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 8:09 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Yes, but no DOTT allowance or holidays.

Fred

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 8:21 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

You'll be forgiven by me if you decide to remove some more of your goodwill.

Fair Go

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 8:44 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Marko,

Do relief teacher rates not include a loading to allow for the lack of sick leave etc.? In other jobs, casual rates are higher per hour to allow for the fact you don't get sick leave or annual leave. How do relief rates compare to your usual hourly rate?

marko vojkovic

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 9:29 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Yes they do but there are different levels of relief pay. All I know is it's nowhere near 10% of my current salary which ever way you calculate it.

I spoke to several teachers who were working 1.2 load last year. Perhaps they could describe how they were paid. I bet they weren't getting 1.2 times their salary.

MiM

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 11:24 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

"Where does the money come from for TOIL?"

This is what irks admin so much, because they are the ones who have relied on the goodwill of teachers! I agree this has created a problem for schools. But some are finding money, from somewhere...

The school budget should have reflected the extra hours teachers were going to be expected to do, via the school development plan.

I know our school has wasted big dollars paying outside 'consultants' when we already had the expertise in-house that could have run the same PD!

What about the % of school fees being paid? Do all families pay? If parents want solar cars, camps, etc, they need to support the schools by funding teacher time, which should be written in to the cost of the project.

Schools can apply to recover some monies when the coffers run dry eg if relief for union training exceeds the (QTL) funding from the school grant.

marko vojkovic

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 11:45 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Now you're talking MiM! Perhaps school fees should be increased if parents want all these activities to be on offer. I know relief costs now have to be included in camp fees etc. Perhaps TOIL and contract payments should be as well. What a great idea!

Smithers

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 6:34 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Hi MiM

Thanks for your stimulating posts...

I'm a union rep and want to clarify a point you made - I don't have the red book with me at home. Is it the case that in the current agreement we can ask for TOIL for parent nights?

Smithers

MiM

Mar 23rd, 2008 - 10:50 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

It's there is black & white (& red

) in EBA2006:

CLAUSE 18.4
"Payment or Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) may be considered for agreed work undertaken outside of official student instruction time for such activities as School Camps, Music and Drama Festivals and Performances and Parent Interviews.

"The Parties agree that teachers are required to undertake, outside official student instruction hours, the following:
(a) staff meetings;
(b) parent/carer interviews and parent/carer meetings; and
(c) supervision of students."

Seems pretty straight-forward, doesn't it? With Directive 1 in place, we are required to negotiate TOIL/payment for after-hours work, anyway. And as the Commish said, D1 is NOT industrial action!

Our school gets release time for the school day component, but we are expected to go another 2 hrs after that. ie 3:15pm - 5:15pm.

CLAUSE 18.7
"The Parties recognise that informal Parent/Carer interviews with individual teachers occur from time to time. The Parties agree that up to two (2) meetings with Parents/Carers, to discuss students’ progress, can be required of all teaching staff outside student instruction hours each year. The agenda, venue and timing of these meetings will be determined in full and proper consultation with staff. The Final responsibility to ensure meetings occur rests with the principal."

Some will try to argue that EBA payrise includes these parent mtgs, but Clause 18.4 refutes that. Just because we agreed that it will be done outside of hours, doesn't mean we do it without compensation!

It's a HECK of a lot of money for schools to pay out - in our school that's 23 teachers X 5hours (2hrs Wed & 3 hrs Thurs)- I wonder how many put it in the budget or SDP?

Some schools are not doing end of Term 1 parent interviews, because the teachers counted the one-off introductory mtg at the start of the year as one of the 2 required mtgs. Most of us are having a 'parent night' in Term 3 (which will also need to be paid for by the school).

If they won't consider payment/TOIL:
Clause 18.9 "Arrangements for the undertaking of duties outside official student instruction hours will be the subject of appropriate consultation. Any teacher who is aggrieved about any requirement to undertake duties outside official student instruction hours may take appropriate action using the agreed grievance procedures (Clause 111)."

(You can download the Agreement from either DET or Union websites. Save it to your hard drive!)

Hope this cheers you up!

Smithers

Mar 24th, 2008 - 9:30 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Thanks for your detailed reply MiM

What a can of worms you've opened here. Given that many schools will be planning parent nights for the end of term 1, I wonder how many will do the same as your school? As Union rep I will push for this but I will have to consult the members first and gauge the support. I hope other branches do the same.

Two thoughts come to mind..

1. Why haven't union officials made this clear in the past? It must have been obvious to them that most schools were running parent nights without TOIL.

2. How about compensation for the previous years where we haven't been paid?

Smithers

memorable screen-name killing time at a netcafe! (hence different IP, Web)

Mar 24th, 2008 - 10:18 AM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Ugh, I've been commandeered to coach the year 8 debate team at my school, and without any qualms whatsoever, the supervising teacher arranged an after-school meeting for them to rehearse. It was going to be before school, but we decided that sleep takes precedent.

It really annoyed me.

MiM

Mar 24th, 2008 - 2:44 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

PAYMENT FOR PARENT MEETINGS????

Ya gotta be kidding!!

There is another point of view ...... (ask Ken Davis!)

If you look at the wording of Clauses 18.4 and 18.6(as close as WACOT did to destroy the first election) it could be interpreted that it is only the incidental interviews with parents that should be paid ...

But heck, that certainly does not reflect teachers' interpretations and interchangeable usage of the words!

What is the difference between an interview and a meeting to discuss student progress? Surely we do the latter even in the former, unless it might be specifically about behaviour, etc..

Clause 18:6 suggests that the meetings being referred to occur on a 'whole school' basis, whereas the interviews are done on an ad hoc basis.

BUT any difference certainly isn't spelled out in the DEFINITIONS as is nearly every other term! So I reckon we should run with my first post, and claim payment/TOIL!

Either way, teachers have never claimed payment for one OR the other! So we are sure due a packet!

ALSO:
We are currently under a DIRECTIVE to GET payment/toil for ANY a/hs work ... so that certainly means we will have to be paid, doesn't it!?

What say you?

CJT

Mar 24th, 2008 - 5:34 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

MiM, the wording of clause 18.4 is, I agree, significant, in particular the phrase that payment for TOIL may be considered... The use of the word "may" is problematic. It's hardly definitive.

I am looking down the barrel of my own school's parent night, (a marathon effort starting at 12'ish and finishing 5 hours or more later). Sure, we dismiss school after period 3, but what of those of us who teach those periods, have a short break, and then step into the breech. My DOTT, on this particular day, falls at the end.

I was always of the understanding that it was mandated, as part of the last EBA, that teachers must make themselves available for such meetings, without recompense or remuneration. It is, as they say, part of our expected duties. However, clauses 18.4 and 18.6 has challenged that belief.

Perhaps I am just obtuse, but some clarification on this matter would be appreciated.

CJT

Mar 24th, 2008 - 5:35 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Sorry, clauses 18.4 and 18.7.

Smithers

Mar 24th, 2008 - 6:22 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Very interesting...could someone from the Union, Ken for example, please clear this up?

If we assume that the parent night in question is one of the two required in the current (expired) agreement:

1. Can we claim TOIL for this parent night?
2. If that is the case and it is declined, can members refuse to attend?
3. If we refuse to attend on this basis, what support can we expect from our Union?

Smithers

Fred

Mar 24th, 2008 - 6:51 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Itis time to stamp out the references to the goodwill from teachers that exist within EBAs in the form opf some clauses. Any future EBAs must never be allowed to contain any clauses that contain any suggestion of teachers being required to provide any of their time as professionals for free, period!

MiM

Mar 24th, 2008 - 11:42 PM

Re: DIRECTIVE ONE

Maybe I am reading D1 all wrong??? Was I getting too hopeful?? I went back to the guidelines (Update #25 30/1/08)

DIRECTIVE 1 GUIDELINES
"The only additional activities that should be undertaken out of school hours are
i. Those paid by contract payment or TOIL
ii. 2 staff meetings of one hour duration per term
iii. Parent nights as per the 2006 EBA (2 per year)"

So does this mean we are not supposed to collect payment??

Clause 18.4 says payment/toil 'may be considered' for agreed work done out of school hours, including parent interviews. So I certainly want to "consider" it!

To me there is little difference between a parent interview & a parent meeting?!!

DIRECTIVE 1
"Complete no more than 2 reports* to parents in 2008
i. Semester 1 and 2 reports on the DET template
ii. No interim* reports
iii. No portfolios, 3-way conferences, learning journey’s etc"

* I presume this means formal, written reports.

We can have 2 parent meetings "to discuss students' progress", but not have 'learning journeys' or '3-way conferences'.

Maybe my 2 nights = the one on Wednesday plus the one on the following day??!!

Have I made a complete hash of D1???

In The Middle