idledim

Apr 8, 08 - 9:54 PM

My Dear Minister

My Dear Minister

As you said this afternoon, it takes two!

We want smaller classes, historically significant salary increases (24+6+6) to start restoring some sense of parity with other professions and we want to address the issue of Primary DOTT.

You say we can't have 1 and 3 because it would exacerbate the shortage. You may well be right. If you are, then the result is even more work for us, with less time to do it.

If you need us to do it, you're going to have to pay us to do it. It's that simple. Larger class sizes and no increase in Primary DOTT means that our salary claim has to be increased to compensate because, as you said this afternoon, even though you didn't say it very effectively, it takes two.

No reduction in class sizes and no increase in Primary DOTT = 10+10+10+6(in super). At 12+6+6 you've got a Union trying to solve it with you.

Minister, it is because it takes two that your regrettable performance this afternoon is likely to contribute to a further diminution of good will; a further reduction in the number of teachers willing to work full-time; a further reduction in the numbers prepared to do those things that give life to a schooling system; a further increase in the numbers walking out the door.

Minister, this afternoon you were given a fantastic opportunity to cover yourself in gold - and you missed it big time. If you had stood on the steps of parliament this afternoon and said:

"You folks have never done it so tough. I do not believe so many of you would have come here this afternoon if you weren't dong it tough. You're good people. You're brilliant as well. You tell me you want 12+6+6. You've got it. I wish i could give you more."

- you would have seized the day

It was a golden opportunity, Minister. However, your failure to seize the moment means the crisis just got worse.

Arbitration won't solve it, Minister. Bullying won't solve it. Lying won't solve it. Playing politics with us on the steps of parliament won't solve it. Courage and generosity of spirit will solve it.
The big problem with taking on a decent profession, whether in the press or in the courts, is that you can't command good will - and all our good will is all your system has going for it.

Primary POV

Apr 8th, 2008 - 9:58 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

Second that, Idledim. Well said.

Web

Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:05 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

I hope you're sending that to The West.

idledim

Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:09 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

p.s. Unfortunately, Minister, it as sure as night follows day that no EBA means no lifting of Directive 1. Directive 1 will increasingly mean a ban on school planning for the courses of study due to be implemented in 2009. It's time to get back on the right side of the profession, Minister. The consequences for you of risking arbitration in this climate, whatever the result, are too great.

SET

Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:10 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

Idledim, sometimes it makes me feel good to have you as a colleague. On the other hand, I quite enjoy our occasional PLATONIC stoush. Good to see you this afternoon.

English is beginning to look better, although the exam has to improve. It will be interesting to see where Literature is at on 28 April.

SoR teacher

Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:20 PM

My Dear Minister: Version 2

My Dear Minister

Term 2 will begin AFTER we have an acceptable EBA.

Sincerely yours,
The Government Teachers of Western Australia

Let's be honest: We could solve the problem in one week if we only had the courage...

Fred

Apr 9th, 2008 - 6:21 AM

Re: My Dear Minister

"Let's be honest." McGowan would have been glorified if he had seized that moment.

Imagine the possibilities: 2 to 3000 teachers and sympathisers cheering the Minister of Education on the steps of Parliament House because he said the following:

" ..."You folks have never done it so tough. I do not believe so many of you would have come here this afternoon if you weren't dong it tough. You're good people. You're brilliant as well. You tell me you want 12+6+6. You've got it. I wish i could give you more."..."

Carpe dieum.

Michael Findlay

Apr 9th, 2008 - 6:14 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

I wonder what effect such a speech would've had on his poitical career. If Carpenter and Ripper managed to survived without heart attacks would they still have supported his rise to power or would there have been portfolio shuffle?

Clifford Chapman

Apr 9th, 2008 - 6:32 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

Fred, you are so right but your thinking is of a higher level than McGowan's. He thinks one dimensionally, as in power means something, yet the buffon can't stem and stop the tides of time.

Front Carpenter and Ripper, Michael? Oh that he would, stand tall, like a Mandella, yet little men such as these, only act when they have the numbers.

And thus even now does little Carpenter, fill electorates with his spores.

Protagorus

Apr 9th, 2008 - 9:17 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

The only strategy that will in any way influence politicians is to state categorically that unless they deal honestly and fairly with us they will NO LONGER have our support.

This Labor Minister has no interest in our concerns.

We should now be dealing with the Opposition Shadow Minister to secure a signed off promise on what they will be offering.

Suppoort at the ballot box is the ONLY threat we can make; and it costs us nothing - Let them bear the price.

rancid

Apr 9th, 2008 - 9:32 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

protagorus

Labor know that Liberals will do no better for education and/or teachers and trust that they will, in fact, do worse. Unfortunately, so does Peter Collier. Labor works out what it will need to spend in bribes for each marginal electorate to ensure the return of a Labor government and the natives are easily bought off with a few trinkets as they walk into the polling station. That is all it will cost Labor. Teachers threats don't count in elections. An all out strike is all that will force their hand.

BSHS Teacher

Apr 9th, 2008 - 10:21 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

Hi,
Sorry to join conversation late - just got a computer and have a friend helping me get on the net. Anyway, I agree with all the above sentiments.

The Minister NEEDS TO LISTEN TO TEACHERS NOW!!! Not tomorrow when it all comes crumbling!!!

The stresses of the job just keep increasing. Couple that with the rising cost of living (leg of lamb $30 in Bull Creek!!!) and the worst pay in the southern hemisphere- he's EXTREMELY lucky he even has anyone turning up at 9 each morning!!!!

Sorry for the rant but it's driven me to drink

envious

Apr 9th, 2008 - 10:46 PM

Re: My Dear Minister

get to work at 9???

leg of lamb???

LUXURY!!!

Where I work we've done 4 hours of work before we even get out of bed, and leg of lamb? We'd kill for a leg of lamb. We'd walk three hours barefoot to Freo just to get a smell of a sheep ship.

Anyway, does BS High School stand for what I think it does?

Author	Comment
idledim Apr 8, 08 - 9:54 PM	My Dear Minister My Dear Minister As you said this afternoon, it takes two! We want smaller classes, historically significant salary increases (24+6+6) to start restoring some sense of parity with other professions and we want to address the issue of Primary DOTT. You say we can't have 1 and 3 because it would exacerbate the shortage. You may well be right. If you are, then the result is even more work for us, with less time to do it. If you need us to do it, you're going to have to pay us to do it. It's that simple. Larger class sizes and no increase in Primary DOTT means that our salary claim has to be increased to compensate because, as you said this afternoon, even though you didn't say it very effectively, it takes two. No reduction in class sizes and no increase in Primary DOTT = 10+10+10+6(in super). At 12+6+6 you've got a Union trying to solve it with you. Minister, it is because it takes two that your regrettable performance this afternoon is likely to contribute to a further diminution of good will; a further reduction in the number of teachers willing to work full-time; a further reduction in the numbers prepared to do those things that give life to a schooling system; a further increase in the numbers walking out the door. Minister, this afternoon you were given a fantastic opportunity to cover yourself in gold - and you missed it big time. If you had stood on the steps of parliament this afternoon and said: "You folks have never done it so tough. I do not believe so many of you would have come here this afternoon if you weren't dong it tough. You're good people. You're brilliant as well. You tell me you want 12+6+6. You've got it. I wish i could give you more." - you would have seized the day It was a golden opportunity, Minister. However, your failure to seize the moment means the crisis just got worse. Arbitration won't solve it, Minister. Bullying won't solve it. Lying won't solve it. Playing politics with us on the steps of parliament won't solve it. Courage and generosity of spirit will solve it. The big problem with taking on a decent profession, whether in the press or in the courts, is that you can't command good will - and all our good will is all your system has going for it.
Primary POV Apr 8th, 2008 - 9:58 PM	Re: My Dear Minister Second that, Idledim. Well said.
Web Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:05 PM	Re: My Dear Minister I hope you're sending that to The West. Email [optional]: platowa@bigpond.net.au
idledim Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:09 PM	Re: My Dear Minister p.s. Unfortunately, Minister, it as sure as night follows day that no EBA means no lifting of Directive 1. Directive 1 will increasingly mean a ban on school planning for the courses of study due to be implemented in 2009. It's time to get back on the right side of the profession, Minister. The consequences for you of risking arbitration in this climate, whatever the result, are too great.
SET Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:10 PM	Re: My Dear Minister Idledim, sometimes it makes me feel good to have you as a colleague. On the other hand, I quite enjoy our occasional PLATONIC stoush. Good to see you this afternoon. English is beginning to look better, although the exam has to improve. It will be interesting to see where Literature is at on 28 April.
SoR teacher Apr 8th, 2008 - 10:20 PM	My Dear Minister: Version 2 My Dear Minister Term 2 will begin AFTER we have an acceptable EBA. Sincerely yours, The Government Teachers of Western Australia Let's be honest: We could solve the problem in one week if we only had the courage...
Fred Apr 9th, 2008 - 6:21 AM	Re: My Dear Minister "Let's be honest." McGowan would have been glorified if he had seized that moment. Imagine the possibilities: 2 to 3000 teachers and sympathisers cheering the Minister of Education on the steps of Parliament House because he said the following: " ..."You folks have never done it so tough. I do not believe so many of you would have come here this afternoon if you weren't dong it tough. You're good people. You're brilliant as well. You tell me you want 12+6+6. You've got it. I wish i could give you more."..." Carpe dieum.
Michael Findlay Apr 9th, 2008 - 6:14 PM	Re: My Dear Minister I wonder what effect such a speech would've had on his poitical career. If Carpenter and Ripper managed to survived without heart attacks would they still have supported his rise to power or would there have been portfolio shuffle?
Clifford Chapman Apr 9th, 2008 - 6:32 PM	Re: My Dear Minister Fred, you are so right but your thinking is of a higher level than McGowan's. He thinks one dimensionally, as in power means something, yet the buffon can't stem and stop the tides of time. Front Carpenter and Ripper, Michael? Oh that he would, stand tall, like a Mandella, yet little men such as these, only act when they have the numbers. And thus even now does little Carpenter, fill electorates with his spores. Email [optional]: cliffyboy43@hotmail.com
Protagorus Apr 9th, 2008 - 9:17 PM	Re: My Dear Minister The only strategy that will in any way influence politicians is to state categorically that unless they deal honestly and fairly with us they will NO LONGER have our support. This Labor Minister has no interest in our concerns. We should now be dealing with the Opposition Shadow Minister to secure a signed off promise on what they will be offering. Suppoort at the ballot box is the ONLY threat we can make; and it costs us nothing - Let them bear the price.
rancid Apr 9th, 2008 - 9:32 PM	Re: My Dear Minister protagorus Labor know that Liberals will do no better for education and/or teachers and trust that they will, in fact, do worse. Unfortunately, so does Peter Collier. Labor works out what it will need to spend in bribes for each marginal electorate to ensure the return of a Labor government and the natives are easily bought off with a few trinkets as they walk into the polling station. That is all it will cost Labor. Teachers threats don't count in elections. An all out strike is all that will force their hand.
BSHS Teacher Apr 9th, 2008 - 10:21 PM	Re: My Dear Minister Hi, Sorry to join conversation late - just got a computer and have a friend helping me get on the net. Anyway, I agree with all the above sentiments. The Minister NEEDS TO LISTEN TO TEACHERS NOW!!! Not tomorrow when it all comes crumbling!!! The stresses of the job just keep increasing. Couple that with the rising cost of living (leg of lamb $30 in Bull Creek!!!) and the worst pay in the southern hemisphere- he's EXTREMELY lucky he even has anyone turning up at 9 each morning!!!! Sorry for the rant but it's driven me to drink
envious Apr 9th, 2008 - 10:46 PM	Re: My Dear Minister get to work at 9??? leg of lamb??? LUXURY!!! Where I work we've done 4 hours of work before we even get out of bed, and leg of lamb? We'd kill for a leg of lamb. We'd walk three hours barefoot to Freo just to get a smell of a sheep ship. Anyway, does BS High School stand for what I think it does?