Teachers Aide Special Newsletter, June 2004

PSA WINS EXTRA STAFF

The Association has successfully negotiated an extra full time Teachers Aide (Special) position at the Sydney Children's Hospital. This was the result of a long campaign based around Occupation Health and Safety.

Members have raised concerns that staff and students were at risk due to the fact that there was only one Teachers Aide (Special) employed to look after a fluctuating number of students with extremely high needs. The Association will continue to campaign around these issues to ensure that members are not at risk in their workplace.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Members have raised concerns that many Teachers Aides (Special) do not know their conditions of employment.

As a result, the Association is developing an Induction Programme for SAS staff. The programme will be provided by the new Regional Offices. The induction of School Administrative and Support Staff and General Assistants will be held at least once a year and will include:

• Information on the roles and responsibilities of SAS staff;
• An outline of relevant departmental policies and structure; and
• An introduction to associated organisations eg: Superannuation Funds, Union and Credit Union.

The package will be "signed off" by the Director of Professional Practice, Dr Paul Brock and will be sent to the Regional Offices. The Association is hopeful this will be done in the beginning of Term 3.

HOURS OF DUTY

All Teachers' Aides (Special) must be employed for a minimum of two consecutive hours and where possible three. This is an important condition of your employment and is the result of an agreement between the PSA and the Department. If you are being employed for less than two hours please contact the PSA.

POSITION ADVERTISEMENTS AND STATEMENT OF DUTIES

These issues were raised with the Department at the last Joint Consultative Committee meeting last week. The Association has been contacted by the SSP Principal's network seeking advice on how to change the advertisement for employing Teachers Aides (Special). It is their view that the generic advertisement does not truly reflect the work performed by Teachers Aides (Special).

The Association is also of the view that the current statement of duties needs to be reviewed to more accurately describe the work done by Teachers Aides (Special) employed in SSP schools, special units and the integration programme.

The Department has agreed to meet with the Association to further discuss the changing needs of students and how these needs can be addressed.

PSA TRAINING

The Association is holding a training day for Teachers Aides (Special) PSA members. We will be sending out expressions of interest to all members and encourage members to apply. Numbers will be limited so to avoid disappointment get your application in early.

The training will be held on 31 August and the issues covered will include basic occupational health and safety, conditions of employment, the role of the union and your role within the union.

Contact Daryl Parmenter, the industrial clerk for the schools team, on dparmentter@psa.asn.au or ring 9220 0976.

REMEMBER - CASUAL/TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES CAN JOIN THE PSA

Sue Walsh, PSA President
Bryony Feltham, Acting Industrial Officer