Sweeping changes proposed to the staffing system

By

Gary Zadkovich

NSW Labor's education revolution consists of deregulated staffing, fewer teachers, lower standards and a pay cut.

After more than two months of negotiations for a new schools staffing agreement, and while Federation�s representatives were attending a further negotiation meeting on the matter, Education Minister John Della Bosca announced sweeping changes to the current staffing system.

In a media release dated February 4, the Minister declared the phasing-out of the service transfer system for classroom teachers and the abolition of expressions of interest mobility for executives and principals.

Simultaneously, Director-General Michael Coutts-Trotter sent a message to schools to outline the changes.

The Minister�s announcement comes on top of attempts to lower teacher qualifications standards in TAFE, a denial of the need to employ more teachers to address teacher workload and better meet the needs of students, and a 2.5 per cent pay offer that is a cut in real terms.

The Minister is proposing to dismantle a statewide staffing system based on transfers that ensures teacher supply to all schools, especially those that are difficult to staff because of geographical location and other factors that impinge on a school�s ability to attract and retain staff. He fails to understand that increasing some schools� capacity to locally select their teachers will actually reduce the capacity of hundreds of other schools to attract and retain qualified teachers.

There are very good reasons why the current system exists. Under current arrangements we have stability and security at a time of teacher shortages in other states and overseas. Transfers maintain the supply lines to all schools, especially those that cannot compete evenly with schools in preferred locations. After a specified period of time, a teacher�s service in these harder to staff schools is recognised and rewarded through a transfer.

Importantly, transfers also underpin a teacher�s right to permanent employment, as distinct from limited tenure, contract-based employment.

Through an agreement derived from decades of practical experience, the current staffing system balances the needs of teachers, students and parents in school communities across NSW. Our system works effectively and efficiently. That is why Federation is proposing to continue the current staffing agreement.

While open to further negotiations on this matter, Federation remains absolutely committed to protecting teachers� rights at work, and students� rights at school to be taught by well paid, suitably qualified teachers whose service is truly valued by their employer and the Government.

In the wake of the defeat of a federal Coalition government that sought to impose local hire and fire, individual contracts (Australian Workplace Agreements), performance pay and limited tenure, public school teachers are justifiably angry that a state Labor government could now be setting the ground for the same agenda.

Gary Zadkovich is Senior Vice President.

Federation's major claims for 2008

Statewide staffing system 'the rock'

Equity issue for students

Goodwill would dry up

Maximising chances for all students

Opportunities in the bush

Scholarship attraction based on transfer promise

Teachers speak up for the system

Think about the country

Transfers bring new enthusiasm

Transfers bring new perspectives

For further information

February 2008 contents