PSA members bulletin LMBR update
PSA members bulletin LMBR update September 2015 (PDF version)
LMBR Workload
The PSA recently met with the Department of Education for an LMBR taskforce meeting on 24 August 2015, to discuss the impact of LMBR on staff workload.
Prior to this meeting the PSA wrote to the Department on 13 August 2015, demanding acknowledgement of the workload concerns of SAS staff and asking that SAS staff get:
- Recognition of the hours worked by being paid for it.
- Greater amount of LMBR funding specifically tied to SAS Staffing
- “More on the ground support” and real relief from workload issues created by LMBR in the form of additional funding for overtime or TOIL or additional SAS staff (at the election of staff).
Read a copy of the PSA’s letter HERE
The Department responded on 21 August 2015. Read that letter HERE
The PSA does not consider the Department’s response properly acknowledges LMBR has created the unreasonable workload that PSA members have highlighted.
That is why the PSA asked the Department to issue a directive to all Principals and SAS staff working with the LMBR not to work overtime unless this has been directed or approved by their Principal.
The directive from the Department should clearly set out overtime and time-off-in-lieu obligations. The Department took our request on notice and stated it will get back to us after consulting with the Director of Industrial Relations.
The PSA has not heard back on this request at this point in time. We are writing to the Department today to follow up this request.
Data validation work increases stress for members
The PSA is aware the Department is getting ready to roll out upgraded versions of the system and has asked you to independently validate data for them. The Department sent a communication to the 229 schools on 25 August 2015 from the Deputy Secretary Schools in relation to data validation pre-deployment of re-architecture EBS4 Reference Data Changes for verification. The deadline set by the Department to respond was 1 September 2015.
Since then PSA members affected by this request have informed Organisers that the timeline and request increased stress and workload to an unreasonable degree. Consequently the PSA wrote to the Director of Industrial Relations on Wednesday 26 August 2015 requesting an extension on this timeframe and to respond to this request by 12pm 28 August 2015.
We have just received a letter from the Department declining our request. We will send a further bulletin to members about this later in the week. In the meantime, the PSA will support any member who cannot comply with the time frame set and we urge you to email us at "> if you don’t feel the deadline and workload is fair or reasonable.
PSA raising workload concerns highlighted in media
Acting General Secretary Steve Turner has written to the Minister of Education, Adrian Piccoli on 27 August 2015 requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the workload pressures arising and the flaws of the LMBR system. You can read a copy of this letter HERE
Monday’s Daily Telegraph published an article that referenced the PSA’s letter requesting a meeting with the Minister and highlighted serious concerns about the system rolling out in the first half of 2016.
The PSA will continue to fight for our members on this issue and continue to update you as more developments unfold.
If you have a workload and/or LMBR story to share, or you are interested in helping the PSA with this claim please email
