PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – Union has filed in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) against DoE’s attempts to stop relief funding from instructional duties for teaching staff.

As reported in the SSTUWA eSTREAM News on the 18 April 2011, the Union has taken action against the unilateral attempt of the DoE to stop the on-going funding for relief of teaching staff from instructional hours so to enable them to attend performance management meetings with their supervisors.

As a result, following discussions during the conference proceedings, it was agreed between the parties that further discussions would be held prior to the Union progressing further the matter in the WAIRC. To that end, a meeting has been organised for the 10 May 2011.

Importantly, such an agreement was premised upon the notion that the Union would regard the alleged deadline of the 5 May 2011 – that is, the date on which the DoE purported to “withdraw from the MOU” in its Ed-e-mail on the 12 April 2011; thereby stopping funding schools from that day – of no effect; meaning that the well long-standing practice of being relieved of instructional duties to attend performance management meetings should still be observed.

Therefore, again, in the interim period and pending further discussions between the DoE and the Union, members should continue to participate in performance management arrangements in accordance with the well-established customary practises to date; thereby refusing to accede to any loss of DOTT (whose purpose is for “teaching, learning and assessment”) or the unfair and unreasonable scheduling of performance management meetings “outside of the school hours”.

Teaching staff and administrators should direct any queries they might have in regards to the above to Michel Amati, Industrial Advocate on 9210 6000.

From 18/4/11 E-Stream PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT ...

DoE RENEGES ON 2005 MEMORAMDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)

The Union has been advised the Director General intends, unilaterally, to withdraw from the long-standing agreement with the Union, dated March 2005, regarding the opportunities within which schools administrators and teachers are assisted and collegially supported to carry out the performance management process in schools.

Importantly, schools receive an additional 2 ½ hours per FTE to support performance management in schools. The Union has always held the position and advised members, accordingly, that this funding be used to release teachers to participate in performance management. In fact, this practice has been customary and on-going for many years.

Regrettably, as denoted in the Ed-e-mail on the 12 April 2011, the unilateral withdrawal from this MOU, essentially means an unfair and unjustified departure from this practice as just described; seeking to impose upon the already stretched teachers’ DOTT time or, in the alternative, both teachers and administrators’ “outside of school hours”.

Bewilderingly, in their advice to the Union regarding their intention to withdraw unilaterally, the Department cited so-called “budgetary considerations” as their alleged reason.

This is at a time in which the State’s economy is in an extremely healthy position and, additionally and at the same time, where steps are being taken to pursue improved commitments to performance management at a national level through the National Partnership Quality Teaching.
The Union is extremely concerned by this unreasonable and unilateral action by the Director General against the entitlements and rights of teachers and administrators and will be taking further action against the attempt to erode your conditions.

In the meantime, members are advised to assist this action by continuing performance management arrangements in accordance with established customary practises to date; thereby refusing to accede to the loss of DOTT (whose purpose is for “teaching, learning and assessment”) or the unfair and unreasonable lengthening of hours of work.

Meetings out of hours

Members are reminded that under 2008 General Agreement Clause 14 and Teachers’ Award Clause 12 meeting obligations are described. They include two staff meetings of one hour duration per term and up to two parent/carer’s meetings per annum (usually parent nights or reporting). Schools may proposed additional meetings, but attendance cannot be mandated.