In this edition

• School Offi cer Day celebrations, pg.1

• Collective bargaining updates, pg. 2

• Workplace health and safety changes, pg.3

• Position descriptions: when to get yours organised, pg.3

• Member snapshots, pg.4

Vol. 3 No. 3 November 2011 The newsletter for School Offi cers

Commitment and contribution celebrated on School O� cer Day; members unite and grow our voice

More information about School Offi cer Day, the Recognise, Reclassify, Reward campaign, and other upcoming events in your area is available on our website www.qieu.asn.au.

The IEUA-QNT award is presented once a year to a school offi cer who has made an outstanding contribution to unionism and representing the interests of fellow members.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School’s Juanita Vaudrey was also nominated for the award.

IEUA-QNT organiser Richard Pascoe said the members at St Joseph’s School in Gayndah ensured school offi cers were thanked for their commitment and ongoing dedication to their roles.

“The principal and teachers presented school offi cers with small presents. It was a great day,” Mr Pascoe said.

“Two school offi cers also joined our union. Events like School Offi cer Day, as well as a celebration, are a chance for non-members to become more informed about the benefi ts of being part of our strong and united voice.”

School Offi cer Day was a chance for all members to celebrate and recognise the vital and varied work of school offi cers. From morning teas to cakes, balloons, lunches and speeches, chapters across Queensland and the Northern Territory made a huge eff ort to mark the day in style.

Wednesday 19 October was also an opportunity for school offi cers to develop the strength of their united voice ahead of collective bargaining negotiations that are set to get underway in most of the major sectors in 2012.

IEUA-QNT secretary Terry Burke said School Offi cer Day was particularly important in 2011 as school offi cers had been involved in the Recognise, Reclassify, Reward campaign.

“This year it was particularly vital to demonstrate to school offi cers that the whole school community values the diverse and varied work they undertake,” Mr Burke said.

“As school offi cers use the information and understanding they received at union training that was part of the Recognise, Reclassify, Reward campaign, many are now in the process of applying for reclassifi cation and it is important for all members to show employers that there is a widespread respect for the work of school offi cers throughout our school communities.

“As collective bargaining gets underway in many sectors next year, it is also vital for all members to approach school offi cers who have not yet joined together with their colleagues in our union and explain the successful outcomes that can be achieved by being part of our strong and united voice.”

St Mary’s College, Kingaroy chapter representative Gary Turner said staff held a special lunch to celebrate the day.

“Teachers need to formally acknowledge that school offi cers do have a vital role and School Offi cer Day proved to be the perfect vehicle for teachers and the whole school community to say thanks for their commitment,” Mr Turner said.

St Mary’s College also took the opportunity to congratulate lab technician Barbara Paterson on her receipt of the Ruth George Award.

2011 Ruth George Award winner Barbara Paterson from St Mary’s College, Kingaroy

Members at St Mary’s Primary in Maryborough p r e s e n t e d school o� cers with � owers

NT support staff urged to review position descriptions

IEUA-QNT is urging all support staff to review their position descriptions and ensure their role is correctly classifi ed.

Darwin-based organiser Camille Furtado said support staff in the Catholic sector fought long and hard to establish the current classifi cation structure.

“Now it is in place, support staff need to ensure their positions are properly classifi ed,” she said.

Training sessions about the re-classifi cation process are being held in the Northern Territory according to demand. To register your interest, contact Camille Furtado on freecall 1800 351 996 or at cfurtado@qieu.asn.au.

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Working lives of school officers could be vastly improved as collective bargaining gets underway in various sectors

Ahead of the next collective bargaining round in the Catholic sector, employees have raised a number of issues in the log of claims with particular significance to school officers.

IEUA-QNT organiser Tanya Moritz said along with issues that would affect all employees, some could have a major positive impact on the working conditions of school officers.

“Employees are seeking improvements to current conditions that would bring certain entitlements in line with other sectors and provide job security for staff members who are employed on a casual or part time basis,” Ms Moritz said.

Employees are seeking a raise in the minimum employer contribution to superannuation from nine per cent to 10 per cent.

Under the current agreement, employees who work on a casual basis receive a 23 per cent loading; employees are seeking that this is increased to 25 per cent ahead of the formal regulation of this on 1 July 2014.

Employees are also seeking a provision that if a continuing part time employee’s hours are reduced by a large or significant amount, that employee will be entitled to redundancy provisions.

A provision is also sought to ensure a current role description is developed and agreed upon at least once a year.

Catholic Sector

Lutheran SectorSchool officers and ancillary staff in the Lutheran sector are seeking a percentage increase in line with teachers’ salaries with a minimum dollar increase per week for the lowest paid, whichever is higher.

The log of claims that is currently out for consideration in the Lutheran sector also seeks the review of current family-friendly provisions and leave entitlements, an annual review of position descriptions, and the introduction of a first aid allowance for school officers who hold a current first aid certificate.

IEUA-QNT assistant secretary Paul Giles said there were a number of provisions being sought in the Lutheran log of claims that would, if negotiated successfully, improve the working conditions of all employees.

“The working environment for all employees, including school officers, would be safer and healthier under the terms of a new agreement based on the current log of claims,” Mr Giles said.

Anglican SectorEmployees in the Anglican sector have numerous provisions for negotiation that would both benefit school officers and protect and enhance their working conditions.

The log of claims seeks paid maternity leave be increased from 12 to 14 weeks to bring the entitlements in line with most other major education sectors.

A minimum dollar increase is sought for the lowest paid school officers, or the general annual salary percentage increase, whichever is higher.

Along with other sectors, employees in the Anglican sector are seeking a clause that stipulates a requirement for all staff to have a current role description agreed upon on an annual basis.

In response to the harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws, employees are also seeking a number of provisions that allow for the election of a health and safety representative along with training and communication surrounding the issue.

Ensure school officers are represented

While employer, employee and union representatives make up a Single Bargaining Unit (SBU) and negotiate the terms of a new collective agreement, it is essential other

members get involved in the process.

As well as an SBU, a reference group is set up where all groups of employees are represented.

SBU members can then discuss issues with the reference group to ensure the accurate concerns of all employees are being taken into account in the development of the new

collective agreement.

To join a reference group, talk to your staff representative or contact your union organiser.

The log of claims under consideration for each sector is available on our website along with chapter briefings and more information. Visit www.qieu.asn.au to

keep up to date.

National harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws: what you need to know about the changes

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Page 3

Annual review of position descriptions ensures correct classification of roles and fair remuneration

Workplace health and safety issues are a consideration for all school officers in their range of varied and diverse responsibilities within the school environment.

With the national harmonisation of workplace health and safety laws to occur early next year, there have been a number of changes that could affect all school staff, but particularly school officers.

Under the new Work and Safety Act, employers’ obligations are not as strictly defined as they used to be.

IEUA-QNT industrial services officer Danielle Wilson said the changes to provisions had the potential to impact on workers’ health and safety.

“School officers who often deal with more workplace health and safety issues than other school employees need to be aware of the changes and make sure guidelines are in place for staff to follow,” Ms Wilson said.

“Most sectors are seeking the inclusion of a provision in their next collective agreement that sets out a framework for the election of a health and safety representataive at each school, as well as ensuring a

health and safety committee establishes consultation between the employer and employees regarding health and safety concerns.”

Steps to ensuring best workplace health and safety practices:

• Elect a health and safety representative/s at your workplace;

• Ensure your employer provides adequate health and safety training to all staff members;

• Establish a health and safety committee at your school to ensure issues are discussed and outcomes are communicated to all staff;

• Ensure your employer/committee is facilitating consultation about health and safety on a regular basis

If you have any questions or need further advice about health and safety concerns or issues at your workplace, contact your union on freecall 1800 177 938 or visit our website www.qieu.asn.au.

It is essential to have an accurate and contemporary position description that clearly sets out the scope of the duties you perform as part of your role.

A position description needs to be agreed upon by employee and employer and updated, preferably by the end of every school year, or at the latest, by the beginnning of every new school year.

IEUA-QNT assistant secretary Paul Giles said it was common for school officers to continue to take on added responsibilities without changing their position description.

“This can potentially lead to school officers’ correct classification being overlooked by employers,” Mr Giles said.

“School officers who take on added duties should be recognised and rewarded for their added contributions to the school with fair remuneration,” he said.

“School officers should evaluate their positions once a year. This ensures that any added responsibilities or complexities can be added to the position description in a timely manner.

“A number of sectors are seeking provisions for such measure in their log of claims to be included in the next collective agreement.”

A position description should include all duties performed as part of your role, and any leadership or supervisory duties you undertake.

An effective position description clearly sets out the task, what is involved in completing the task, and any specific skills required to undertake the task.

For example, office typing could include significant duties such as mail merges, communication between school management, committees and parents, database management and supervision of mail outs.

For more information about position descriptions and classification, visit our website www.qieu.asn.au.

ISSN 1446-8964

conneXionswas prepared by Clare Chapman

Editor: Mr Terry Burke, General Secretary

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Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Website: www.qieu.asn.au

ABN: 45 620 218 172

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To find out more about the Recognise, Reclassify, Reward campaign, access resources and information, and keep up to date with the latest news from your union, visit our website, www.qieu.asn.au.

The Recognise, Reclassify, Reward campaign has been in full swing during 2011. Now, members who have applied for, or are in the process of applying for reclassification,

reflect on the process.

“I first thought about applying for reclassification after receiving information from our union about the Recognise, Reclassify, Reward campaign earlier this year. After reading about position descriptions and accurate classification, I realised that over the two years I have been employed in my current position, the tasks that I undertake as part of my role have increased exponentially. I submitted my application for reclassification along with a group of school officers at my school during the collective submission week organised by our union.”

Juanita QuetcherOur Lady of the Angels, Brisbane

“I recently submitted an application for reclassification because I felt that after 16 years’ experience working in a school environment, I should be recognised for my actual skills rather than with a standard duty statement. Since I started work at the school in 2008, my duties have changed dramatically and my role is now almost unrecognisable compared to what it was then. The knowledge that union training gave me was invaluable. If it hadn’t been for that I wouldn’t have considered applying. The whole process has been empowering and rewarding. “

Kim O’HareBrigidine College, Brisbane

“I decided to apply for reclassification because I have a very generic position description that does not describe what I do in my role. I do so much more than what the description says, and to be honest if I did only what the description said, I would be sitting around most of the day wasting time.I attended union training earlier this year during the school holidays. It was so helpful because our organiser Wendy Hutchinson answered all our questions and went through the whole process with us. I really got a lot out of it and I feel that was the best way to go about starting the process of applying for reclassification.At the moment I am in the process of collating my application before it is submitted. “

Margaret Nugent

Ryan Catholic College Junior

Campus

Townsville

“After attending union training, I realised that my job description was a couple of years old, out of date and more resembled a resume than an accurate account of my daily duties. Now, every time I do something new as part of my job, I jot it down to make sure I have an acccurate record of what is included in my position At the moment I am in the process of collating my application for reclassification and have almost finalised it. I do the administration for the vocational education department. It is a very varied job. Every time I pick up the phone I’m not sure what I’ll be doing next.

Krystine Dunne

Mt Maria College

Brisbane