The current SA Education Staff (Govt Preschools, Schools and TAFE) Enterprise Agreement expires on 31 March 2008. The Public Service Association (PSA) has had informal preliminary discussions with the Government regarding the process for bargaining. PSA members will be represented by PSA Assistant Chief Industrial Officer, Gayle Peak, PSA Councillor, Dianne Rankine and PSA Councillor, Max Hodge.

After surveying PSA SSO members and receiving feedback, the PSA has developed its claim on behalf of members to be presented to the Government. Issues as identified by PSA members include:

• A Review of the Ancillary Staffing Allocation to schools. The allocation of SSO hours to schools need to be increased to recognise the level of work devolved to schools since Local Management was introduced and the increase in IT workload. These functions need to be supported with no detriment to classroom support hours.

• Permanency

• School Closures – Part-time SSOs should not have to make up the time for school closures.

• Time Bank – No time accrued in Time Bank can be lost. Workers will be paid out any time accrued in time bank not taken by the end of Term 3 or at the end of their contract.

• PSA members to be permanently represented on PACs.

Formal negotiations will commence shortly, PSA members will be kept informed as the negotiations progress.

For further information please contact PSA Chief Industrial Officer, Gayle Peak (ph: 8205 3288, email: gp@cpsu.asn.au) or PSA Industrial Officer Kerrin Martin (ph: 8205 3292 or email kjm@cpsu.asn.au)

PSA WORKING FOR SSOS

14 February 2008