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We know Australian teachers experience a high level of work-related mental stress. This is illustrated in the early-career teacher attrition rate, numerous studies like the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018, or simply by eavesdropping most staffroom conversations on a Wednesday at lunchtime.

The 2013 National Education Reform Agreement (NERA) between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments (and through memorandums of understanding with private schools) planned a $16 billion increase in school funding over six years, 80 per cent of which was to go to public schools.

As an affiliate of UnionsWA, the SSTUWA has long known that strength lies in unity; the multiplier that applies when unions work together towards common goals.

The Fair Work Commission has decided to increase wages for a quarter of Australian workers - 5.2 per cent for those on the minimum wage and 4.6 per cent or $40 per week for those reliant on award wages, whichever is higher.

The ACTU welcomes the appointment of Tony Burke as minister for employment and workplace relations and looks forward to working with him to improve the lives of working people.

The Australian Education Union has welcomed Jason Clare as the new federal education minister, Brendan O’Connor to the skills and training portfolio and Anne Aly as early childhood education minister

You are never on your own when you are a member of a union. Many of our members have joined and remain with us to be part of the collective. Working in solidarity for the benefit of all members, we know we are stronger together.

Public education advocacy group Save Our Schools (SOS) has presented a public education agenda for Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and called on the minister to step up for public schools

This article is the second of a two-part series and is the transcript of a speech delivered by Education International President Susan Hopgood (pictured above right) at the Australian Education Union’s 2022 Federal Conference in Melbourne in April.

NAIDOC Week runs from 3 to 10 July and will once again celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

There is a growing community of support across our public schools and TAFEs to address the climate emergency and a need to embed sustainable practices across all aspects of schools and TAFEs.

The SSTUWA will commission a review into the state of public education in WA that will drive the push to elevate the status of public educators and ensure the sector receives the full resourcing that it needs.

Not long to go now until you are able to stop, rest and recharge after a very hectic first semester. Reports will be done, parent meetings finished and you will finally be able to turn that alarm clock off.

Last month, government agencies started making payments to some casual and former casual employees representing historical long service leave entitlements. This article will discuss the background to these payments, issues that might arise and what members can do to get further advice and help in resolving any problems.

There is a growing community of support across our public schools and TAFEs to address the climate emergency and a need to embed sustainable practices across all aspects of schools and TAFEs.

By Matt Jarman Senior Vice President

On Friday 17 June, member voting closed on the Agreement in Principle for the 2021 General Agreement (Schools). Just over 5,000 members voted with 70 per cent of those voting in favour.

Congratulations to SSTUWA member Clare Stack for being named runner up of the Australian Education Union’s 2021 Arthur Hamilton Award.

The 2022 federal election result is a rejection of a government which refused to act to address crises in cost of living, wage growth and insecure work.

Evidence that money works in education continues to accumulate. A new study published in the latest issue of the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy shows that increased expenditure on schools improves student outcomes.