Federation is willing to talk

The union is committed to a political settlement.

Federation has responded sharply to a claim that the union withdrew from conciliation in the staffing dispute.

In a fax to Federation Representatives in all schools and OCAA worksites on July 30, Federation reported that: "It has come to the Federation's attention that at least one School Education Director has sent a memorandum to schools stating: 'Last week the union withdrew from the conciliation process.' That statement is untrue."

Federation is seeking a negotiated political settlement which maintains all forms of transfer and executive mobility. The union believes that only a negotiated, political settlement can solve this dispute. Negotiations with the Department have been futile because the Director-General will not agree to retain a genuine statewide service transfer system.

Federation has lodged cases in the Industrial Relations Commission to limit the damage the Department's imposed staffing procedures will cause. Notwithstanding the Director-General's obstruction of genuine negotiations, these cases require conciliation between parties and Federation has pursued these in good faith. The following cases have been lodged:

1. Ensuring that vacancies which arose in term 1 were filled under the procedures of the since-expired staffing agreement. The case was successful and almost 1000 vacancies were filled under the old, agreed procedures.
2. Moving to protect the value of members' accrued service transfer points and qualifications, including the rights of casual and temporary teachers under the Teacher Employment Priority Scheme (which recognised their service to the public education system). This case continues.
3. Moving to provide a legal award guarantee for existing staffing formulae and entitlements to prevent unilateral change by the Director-General. This action is to protect staff numbers and class sizes. This case also continues.

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Last Modified: 07 Aug 2008