News Flash

PSA General Secretary Jan McMahon and Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher met with Education Minister Weatherill this week on Wednesday, 5 May 2010.

The following is a report on key issues discussed:

School Services Officers
The PSA raised the ongoing need to convert the high number of long term temporary staff to ongoing employees.  While recognising that some progress has been made, as a result of PSA and Departmental discussions, a significant number of SSOs are not ongoing.

The roles performed by SSOs were discussed, and the PSA described its ongoing program of contact with its members.

Speech Pathologists
The proposed transfer of Speech Pathology services to the Department of Health has raised concerns about continuing access to the service by students.  The fact that Speech Pathologists will be employed by the Department of Health and not the Education Department will require greater liaison to ensure that service provision does not suffer.

The Minister indicated that the background to the shift was not cost cutting, but in fact, a desire by Government to provide a seamless service to children.

Consultation
The PSA advised the Minister of the wide range of classifications which are represented by the PSA within his portfolio, and the importance of ongoing consultation.

6 May 2010