SASS members in the Inner City Region – February 2016

SASS members in the inner city region – February 2016 (PDF version)

My name is Davina Murray and I am a PSA Organiser specialising in Schools. I will be visiting all the schools in the Inner City Region during Term One of 2016.

When I visit schools in your area, I do not always get the opportunity to meet with all SAS staff individually. However, I will leave a PSA information member kit with the office that will be available for all staff to have a look at.

This kit will include my business card and I am more than happy for any SAS staff to give me a call or send me an email. Please ensure you take the time and opportunity to look through this pack.

I would like to organise a time and date to come back to your place of work, before, during or after school to meet with SAS staff and PSA members to talk about your rights and entitlements as per your award and discuss industrial matters. All non-members are welcome to attend meetings and join the PSA.

This year will bring many challenges for schools and SAS staff, with Learning Management Business Reform (LMBR), Local Schools Local Decisions (LSLD) and the Performance Management System. The rollout of the LMBR into more areas will mean major changes for workloads for staff and will bring many new innovations into your school.

So if you are interested in holding a meeting at your school please contact me at to schedule a convenient day and time. If you have already held a PSA meeting and require any follow-up, please don’t hesitate to also contact me.

Under your award, the PSA can hold meetings with members at agreed times.

Last year, many schools in the area already held PSA meetings. Below are some common queries that were raised.

Use of private vehicles

School Administrative and Support Staff (including SLSOs, GAs, AEOs and Administrative Staff) cannot be directed to use their own cars to perform any school tasks. Holding a current driver’s licence or obtaining a driver’s licence is not a criterion for employment and does not form part of your statement of duties.

Statement of duties

All School Administrative and Support Staff (including GAs) have a statement of duties. This can be obtained from the Department of Education handbook for non-teaching staff in schools or found on the PSA website HERE

The statement refers to “Other Duties, undertaking related duties as determined by the principal or supervisor”.

Any undertakings must be related to the duties listed in the statement.

Definition of short-term temporary/long-term temporary

“Short-term temporary employee” means a member of the School Administrative and Support Staff employed on a temporary basis, either full or part-time, for a period of one school term or less. Short-term employees will accrue extended leave only.

“Long-term temporary” means a member of the School Administrative and Support Staff employed either full or part-time, for a period greater than one school term. Long-term temporary employers accrue entitlements such as sick leave, stand-down pay, annual leave, leave loading and extended leave.

Overtime

Before you work overtime, be sure that you have the Principal’s approval. This ensures you get paid for the overtime. You are entitled to overtime payment on a weekday after you have worked seven hours. The first two hours are at time-and-a-half; after this you are paid double time.

Training

Training for SAS staff must be provided within working hours or the provision for overtime or time in lieu negotiated in accordance with the award.

Supervision of students

School Administrative and Support Staff are not responsible for the supervision of students. Being responsible for students is not in any School Administrative and Support Staff duty statement.

Dignity and respect in the workplace

Everyone in the workplace, irrespective of their position, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. No-one should suffer bullying or harassment while going about their work. This can put at risk the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees. The Dignity and Respect Charter, signed in 2008, commits the Department to providing a workplace free from bullying or harassment that allows that all staff will be treated with dignity and respect.

Do you want to be involved?

School Administrative & Support Staff Reference Groups (SRG) – expression of interest

The PSA invites members to express interest in being the PSA representatives on the 2016-2017 SRGs. Each SRG has a PSA representative whose role is to advise and work collaboratively with the SRG Committee on the development and delivery of training for all classifications of School Administrative and Support Staff. Another function of the PSA SRG representative is to provide regular updates to PSA staff and Departmental Committee delegates. All schools and members in schools will be emailed an expression of interest form. Forms can also be located HERE

The PSA strongly encourages interested members to complete the form and return to Ann Attwater by COB Friday 19 February 2016

PSA training

Click HERE for PSA training courses. Courses are available at no charge to PSA members. Non-members wishing to attend our training will need to submit a membership application first. Participants are responsible for their own travel and other costs incurred in attending training. For further information click on the link above or call the Members Support Centre.