Chifley College Senior Campus Federation Representative Michael de Wall explains to Channel 10 news reporter James Boyce his concerns for the State Government's proposed attacks on the staffing system. Michael de Wall, with other St Marys-Mt Druitt Federation Representatives, joined a demonstration by Rooty Hill High School teachers at their school voicing their opposition to the Government's proposal. Channel 10 later broadcasted the rally on its nightly television news program.

Teachers united in opposition to staffing plan

By

Gary Zadkovich

There is widespread teacher anger, concern and unrest over the proposed changes to the statewide staffing system.

In schools in the major towns and cities, and on the coast, teachers are speaking in strong support of their colleagues working in suburban and country schools that rely on a transfer system to attract and retain staff. Many of these teachers have served in the harder to staff locations at some time in their careers. They know the importance of transfers to teachers, students and school communities.

In western NSW, teachers seethe at the proposal that incentive and service transfers can be blocked by directors and principals using the 'exceptional circumstances' power of veto. Teachers in schools with declining enrolments worry that nominated transfers are jeopardised by this power to block a transfer appointment.

Teachers everywhere understand how these changes set the pre-conditions for the future implementation of the Howard Government agenda of principals' hire and fire, individual contracts, limited tenure and performance pay.

They also understand that the principle of equity is at the heart of this dispute; it's about ensuring that all public school students, wherever they live, are taught by qualified teachers.

Victoria's public schools show the effects of the policies of deregulation and devolution. In a state that has expanded local selection and devolved teacher salaries into school budgets, the differences with NSW are stark. More teachers in Victoria are in non-permanent employment. After eight years service, Victorian teachers at the top of the scale receive $11,000 per annum less than their NSW counterparts.

Western Australia has abandoned the expansion of local selection and reverted to a transfer system to overcome an extensive teacher shortage. Things are so desperate in Western Australia that the government has resorted to paying $10,000 to a private recruitment company for every teacher supplied.

The campaign in defence of a statewide staffing system based on transfers is one part of a greater campaign to protect public education teachers' qualification standards, to address teacher workload and better meet student needs through the employment of additional permanent teachers, and to achieve a significant salaries increase that properly recognises the value of teachers' contribution to our society.

On March 8, Federation Council was due to consider developments in the campaign. If stopwork Sky Channel meetings were deemed necessary, it is likely they will be held on Tuesday April 8.

Gary Zadkovich is Senior Vice President.

Federation ready to negotiate

Reward for sacrifice

Storm no deterrent in staffing system campaign

Transfers stopwork shows support for students

WA drops local selection

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March 2008 contents