Arbitration is finally over

Today, the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) handed down the stage three determination and informed the Government and the AEU that the new Arbitrated Awards for DECS and TAFE employees will be operative from Friday 3 September.
 
Stage three matters which were finalised for inclusion in the new Awards were:

TAFE

The operative date for the Review of Temporary Lecturers

DECS

• Leadership Classifications
• Continuous Improvement Clause
• Personnel Advisory Clause
• The State Government’s Funding Commitment

• Recruitment and Selection Policy
  
  The new Award is not yet available online. Once the Award is published members will be advised. We urge members to take the time to read your new Award as it pertains to your industrial entitlements.
  
  State Government Commitment and new Student Centred Funding Model
  

There is much anxiety about how a new funding model will be implemented by 2011. DECS continues to ignore the concerns of the profession and this information is not currently publicly available.

Now that the State Government Commitment is settled in the new Award, there is absolutely no impediment to DECS providing the resourcing and implementation provisions to schools for the Student Centred Funding Model. The AEU is actively pursuing this matter with the State Government and with DECS.

Recruitment and Selection

The phones have been running hot this week about the Government’s proposed changes to recruitment and selection. DECS proposed to the IRC the removal of the clause which requires changes to teacher recruitment and selection to be agreed between the AEU and DECS.  

We are very pleased that their submission was not successful and that the IRC has determined in the DECS Arbitrated Award that ANY change to the Recruitment and Selection of Teaching Staff Policy must still be agreed by the AEU.

There will be comprehensive consultation with AEU members before negotiations begin with DECS about any changes to the current policy.  The Minister’s discussion paper “A new relationship with schools and preschools” is available on the DECS website.

Step 9

The DECS Arbitrated Award sets out the procedures and forms which must be utilised to apply for Step 9.  The AEU is concerned about misinformation that is circulating about this process and refers all members to the procedures which must be followed to avoid any potential breach of the Award. 

DECS has circulated a document this week titled ”Integrating DECS Performance Development and Step 9”.  This document refers to the National Professional Standards for Teachers. There is no requirement for teachers to address these standards and it must be understood by leaders and teachers alike that these Standards are in Draft form and have not been ratified for implementation, nor is their use agreed by the AEU.
 
Further, we are aware that sites are developing their own criteria for Step 9. Whilst it is useful for professional conversations to occur about indicators for each criterion as outlined in Attachment 1 – Step 9 teacher guidelines (DECS Award), the only criteria which need to be addressed are clearly identified on the Application for Progression to Step 9 form.

Once a Step 8 teacher has lodged their PDP with the Principal (or delegate) a meeting must be held and agreement reached on the scope, purpose and outcomes of the PDP. If AEU members are experiencing difficulties with this process, there is a grievance process clearly outlined in clause 5 of the guidelines. If you would like further information about these procedures this can be obtained from the AEU information Unit.