News

The State School Teachers' Union of Western Australia has welcomed the McGowan Government’s massive investment in school and TAFE infrastructure as a recognition of the crucial role education will play in rebuilding Western Australia’s economy.

UnionsWA, in collaboration with key public sector unions in WA and community supporters has today launched a new “The Public Good” campaign. It will have a major focus on promoting the important role of public services and the public sector workforce leading up to and beyond the 2021 WA state election.

Restoration of the billions of dollars of funding cut from TAFE over the past decade must be at the heart of any Commonwealth response to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector post-COVID-19.

Education is both an individual and collective right. It gives every person an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for a meaningful life. It is also a nation’s most precious tool to achieve economic growth, social progress and democratic development.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) falls on 17 May. IDAHOBIT was started in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination and harassment experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics (LGBTIQ).

The State School Teachers’ Union of WA said a new survey of members found there are encouraging signs that COVID-19 precautions are being managed in schools, but some areas need attention before student numbers increase.

Results of the COVID-19 member survey

The SSTUWA is seeking urgent discussions around the following issues for Term 2, 2020. These positions are provided on a “without prejudice” basis, given the rapidly changing information and circumstances.

The SSTUWA has written to the Minister for Education raising a number of issues including calling for pupil free days to start next week, high risk employees to be allowed to work from home, hospital standard cleans of all schools and TAFEs during the holidays, a guarantee of sufficient hygiene products for schools and TAFEs, support services for pupils learning at home, guarantees on pay and leave and realignment of classrooms to meet social distancing requirements. You can see the full letter here.