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 Home Campaign Bulletins Schools
SAS Staff News February06 February 2008Public Sector Salaries caseMembers should be aware that the current salaries award expires at the end of June this year.The Government has issued a Public Sector Salaries Policy which outlines the framework for future salary increases including the percentage increases for the next award. As previously reported, the offer is 2.5% with any additional increase tied to productivity. The PSA has met with the Public Sector Workforce Offi ce and rejected the policy. To achieve a fair outcome for our members, the PSA has made application to arbitrate a case in the NSW Industrial Commission. The PSA together with their lawyers have selected a number of departments to be used in the case. The Department of Education and Training has been included. Delegates were contacted during the vacation period and have provided valuable information to assist in the case. We are hoping to have decision before July 2008. Members will be informed of progress by newsletters and Red Tape. Recruitment & transfers for SAS Staff UnchangedMembers may have seen some press reports of principals being given more power regarding the hiring of teaching staff in schools. These changes have no affect on SAS staff.PSA President Sue Walsh spoke to DET on Monday 4 February and confi rmed that there are no changes to the transfer rights and recruitment processes for any school administrative and support staff. PSA recordsIf you are a member and not receiving Red Tape it is because we don't have your current work or home address details. It is important that we have this information to keep you informed about your union. 2008 is a big election year for the Schools Departmental Committee and for the PSA generally so if you want a vote make sure you can be contacted. To change details telephone 02 9290 1555 or 1800 467 932 and ask for membership. The Schools Departmental Committee elections will be advertised in the next edition of Red Tape and the PSA election process will start in July.SmartbuyDespite assurances that SMARTBUY was to be integrated with OASIS in January 2007, SMARTBUY is still not. Many members have contacted the PSA to tell of their frustration with the DET about this issue as some were led to believe that the use of SMARTBUY was mandatory.PSA President, Sue Walsh met with offi cers of the DET in January and has been assured that the integration will occur by Term 2 this year. Funding is available for the integration and includes funding for SAS Staff training. (RSRG funds are NOT to be used for SMARTBUY training). In answer to other concerns raised by members we have been informed that the use of SMARTBUY is not mandatory and that hardcopy catalogues are available from suppliers. Helpdesk assistance will also be available if required. Teachers Aide (Special) updateThe PSA and the Department are continuing to meet regularly about matters raised in our recent issues paper. The parties have agreed that there are short term and long term issues. The intention is to continue discussions on long term issues whilst addressing the short term issues, in an attempt to resolve matters promptly.Register for LTT Teachers Aides (Special) jobs affected by fundingThe Department has failed to properly fund the trial for implementation and maintenance of the register and is refusing to direct principals to use the register when employing temporary TA(S). The PSA remains committed to the concept of a register and will continue to pursue this with the Department. The PSA considers the Department's lack of initiative and responsibility is a waste of resources and public money.Revised health care procedures TrainingThe PSA raised concerns with the Department in relation to the changes to course content and delivery after DET made changes to the training package without fi nal consultation with the PSA. We have now received the revised course materials and are in the process of reviewing it. The PSA will provide feedback to DET and highlight our concerns over the removal of the practical component from the package. If you have recently undertaken the Health Care Procedures training or re-certifi cation and would like to raise any concerns, please contact the PSA Schools team.The PSA raised the issue of the number of students requiring health care procedures whilst at school and the Department has agreed to look at increasing the quota of staff eligible for the allowance. Draft First Aid GuidelinesThe Department issued draft fi rst aid guidelines for schools, TAFE and offi ces (regional and state). The PSA raised a number of concerns which the Department addressed and issued a second draft. The PSA still had some concerns and met with DET to discuss. The meeting was successful and the Department has agreed to issue a further draft document that will outline responsibilities and address the difference between administering fi rst aid in each of the settings.The Department is anxious to get the guidelines out to school early this term so we are hoping for a swift and satisfactory resolution. Leave Loading overpaymentsSAS Staff Payroll - Bathurst has informed the PSA that sixty-two SAS Staff have inadvertently been paid twice for their Leave Loading. Payroll at Bathurst have written to affected staff. Members are advised to contact the PSA if they wish to negotiate the recovery of the overpayment under the Department's policy.Pre-school accreditationDET pre-schools are subjected to the same legislative requirements as private providers. The accreditation process will be phased in over a three year period and is set to start on 1 July 2008.The DET met with the PSA in January 2008 and will be conducting information sessions for pre-school staff in the coming months. The DET has stated that pre-school accreditation WILL NOT AFFECT EXISTING WORK PRACTICES and the status quo (ie staffi ng) will remain. Gathering & reporting suspension & expulsion data - not SAS staff workThe Department has recently circulated information about a new format for the electronic lodgement of suspension and expulsion information. The collection and export of such information is not the work of any School Administrative and Support Staff. The PSA have had no discussions with DET about any changes in this area.PSA BANS STILL IN PLACE
* Cash Flow BudgetingThe PSA banned cash fl ow budgeting many years ago as part of the work overload campaign. The PSA met with the Department and informed them that until cash fl ow budgeting was part of the OASIS finance package, SAS Staff would not perform this function.The Department's response was that cash fl ow budgeting should be performed by the Principal. As the Department has made no attempt to integrate cash flow budgeting with OASIS, the ban remains in place. * SMS textingIt is not the role of SAS Staff to SMS text parents about student absences. This is the role of the Principal and/or Executive Teachers. SAS Staff should not text parents.* FM WebThe PSA placed a ban on SAS Staff being involved in FM Web as Site Management was discussed during the review of the work of School Assistants (Admin Offi cers) and Senior School Assistants (Admin Managers). The Department, at that time, wanted Site Management to be performed by SAS Staff. When proposed new Site Management duties were evaluated, the result showed a need for signifi cant salary increases for SAS Staff. However, the Department decided that they would not pay the increased salary rate and took "Site Management" off the table.Now they have introduced Site Management through FM Web and are conning SAS Staff into being involved without appropriate remuneration. The PSA is willing to talk to the Department about FM Web implementation but only if there are benefi ts for our members. Until discussions are satisfactorily concluded, SAS Staff are not to be involved with FM Web. * Other bans still in place are SSTARTS, STEMS and CSA6Only the PSA can lift these bans. We will inform members of any discussions with the Department that may resolve these issues.We wish all our members a Happy New Year for 2008 and welcome back after what we hope was a very nice holiday break for all. Most of you are well aware that you as members are our best recruiters
Sue Walsh, President
Contact Details Kris Cruden, Senior Industrial Officer Ph: 02 9220 0929  
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