SSO Update - March 2021 (PDF version)

Proposed Gender Fluidity amendment

Thank you to Student Support Officer (SSO) members who submitted feedback on the proposed amendment to the Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020. The consensus was that the amendment would be contrary to the professional and ethical commitments of SSOs and detrimental to student’s mental health and wellbeing.

You can read the PSA submission HERE.

SSO members’ meeting: 3:30pm-4:15pm, Wednesday 7 April 2021

A SSO members’ meeting will be held on Wednesday, 7 April, 3.30pm-4:15pm via Zoom. The meeting will be to discuss the election of PSA SSO Delegates and any questions that members may have about the role and election process.

Register in advance for this meeting:

zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcemspj8qGNzCtcxJqx2sGwTbXhKzKlrR 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Election of SSO PSA Delegates

Over the last year, the PSA SSO membership has increased substantially. There have been a number of PSA SSO member meetings held via ZOOM that have demonstrated there are workplace and classification issues to work on.

In order for the PSA to effectively represent the interests of SSOs with the Department of Education, we are seeking to elect three delegates to work with us on the issues of the wider membership.

Delegates assist in protecting and advancing the interests and rights of members in the workplace and they liaise directly with union staff to guide and advise the union in relation to collective matters.

Find out more about the role and responsibilities of a union Delegate HERE.

We will call for nominations to elect three Delegates:

• 1 from the Sydney metropolitan area
• 1 from Regional NSW (North)
• 1 from Regional NSW (South)

The PSA provides a comprehensive training course for new Delegates. However, all fee-paying members can attend union training courses using Special Leave for Trade Union Training (TUT). This provides union members up to 12 days of TUT Leave every two years. Union Delegates will be supported and guided by PSA staff.

Find out more about training HERE.

The formal Call for Nominations for SSO Delegates will be sent out to all members soon. The Delegate group will meet regularly and provide expert advice to the PSA on workplace issues of collective concern.

In the meantime, have a think about whether you would be interested in putting yourself forward to be a Delegate, or encourage a fellow SSO colleague who you think would be a good representative.

Do you know someone who still needs to join the PSA? 

You can support the work of the union to get better outcomes for everyone just by asking your colleagues to JOIN the PSA.