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HOTLINE MESSAGE 19 JUNE 2000
Thank you for phoning the Hotline. This message was recorded on Monday 19th June at 4.45pm and concerns two issues: The Salaries and Status Campaign and Contracts for Principals.
1. On Salaries & Status – since members endorsed the agreement at Sky Channel meetings on the 2nd June, the Federation has been having discussions with the Minister’s office and the DET with a view to ensuring that the payment of the salaries increases and back pay occurs as soon as possible.
The process of translating a political salaries agreement into a gazette consent award is often a lengthy one. This is why the agreement provided for a Director General’s determination as the mechanism for the payment of the back pay on the 4% increase due to be paid from 3 April 2000.
Whilst meetings with the DET to pre-pack the consent award are occurring the Federation has written to the DET indicating that:
"The Federation requires a Director-General Determination to be made by agreement such that teachers will receive back payment and the first payment under the Agreement (from 3 April 2000) no later than the first pay date in August 2000".
The Federation is also seeking to confirm whether members who retire after 3rd April 2000 but before the determination is made will be assured the benefits of the salary increases. The DET has not yet confirmed this. Members wishing to retire are advised to contact the DET to seek written advice that they will get the benefit of the salary increases. This will put pressure on the DET to make a clear statement about the matter. The Federation, of course, is arguing strongly that members who retire after 3rd April get the benefits of the back pay and the 4%. Whilst this matter remains unclear, members are advised to seek independent financial advice.
Advice on implementation of the Salaries agreement is included in the next edition of Education, which is currently being printed. In addition, a salaries bulletin will be sent out this week. In short, the message is until you have the money in your pocket there should be no changes arising from the agreement.
The second issue concerns contracts for Principals. Whilst the advertisement for the Principal’s position at Manly H.S. has been the first example of this, the matter of contracts for principals was part of the DET’s award application and represents a long term DET agenda to introduce limited tenure for teachers in senior promotions positions. It has some implications for the tenure of all teachers and for the culture of schools.
The Federation is convening meetings of principals and other interested members across the state. Advice will be sent to schools on the date, time and venue of a meeting near you.
Thank you for phoning the hotline. Your support of Federation policy is in the best interests of public education.