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The Facts
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Excessive Workload Action
Excessive workload has been identified as the
overriding concern and source of stress for AEU
members.
In an effort to minimise workload pressures, the AEU membership and
Branch Council endorsed the following actions for Term Two (2) 2015;
• That the annual PDP process be given low priority
• That no further work should be done including reporting or
moderation regarding HPE under the Australian Curriculum K-10
Your Union considers these actions to be low level protected
Industrial actions, which if taken collectively by AEU members
will place pressure on the DoE and in turn the Government to
acknowledge teacher workload and the impact Budget cuts have had
on our schools.
The DoE Industrial Relations Manager sent an email to all DoE staff
on April 1 last, directing staff to ignore these actions while also
drawing the inference that, should members undertake these actions
they would be breaching their conditions of employment.
within their Agency; any legal onus is therefore on the Head of
Agency.
A number of schools have initiated that teachers be allocated time for
PDP preparation while relief staff or senior staff takes the class.
Your Union maintains that there is no reason or urgency for work
to commence regarding commencement of Australian Curriculum
HPE. The current ACARA status of HPE curriculum as “awaiting final
endorsement”. There is no legislative direction, Commonwealth or
otherwise which requires this action to commence immediately.
Tasmania is well ahead of other States and Territories regarding the
roll out of the Australian Curriculum.
Your Union maintains you will not be breaching your employment
requirements when you participate in these actions.
Your Union has written to the DoE outlining this position. The DoE
is yet to respond. If you have any concerns please contact the AEU to
speak to one of our Organisers.
“The AEU direction is clear, if you are working
in excess of your required workload, your core
duties are to be given priority and preparation
and participation in PDP’s is to be given low
priority”
Your Union is clear that this interpretation is incorrect. The State
Service Act 2000 and Employment Direction 26 contain the relevant
provisions regarding PDP’s. The completion of PDP’s annually are an
employment requirement, however there is no reference in these
documents stating that PDP’s are a task to be prioritised over and
above other core duties.
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The AEU direction is clear, if you are working in excess of your
required workload, your core duties are to be given priority and
preparation and participation in PDP’s is to be given low priority.
Additional time will need to be allocated for the completion of PDP’s.
ED 26 also provides that the Head of Agency is accountable for
implementing effective performance management arrangements
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DoE
References & further information
AEU website www.aeutas.org.au
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Service & Info > Agreements, Awards, Directions
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Publications > Factsheets
AEU Tasmanian Branch 32 Patrick Street, Hobart TAS 7000. | Phone: (03) 6234 9500 or 1800 001 313 | Email: [email protected]
Follow AEU Tasmania online: Website: aeutas.org.au • facebook: facebook.com/AEUTasmania • Twitter: twitter.com/AEUTasmania
Authorised by Roz Madsen, State Manager, Australian Education Union Tasmanian Branch. Level 1/32 Patrick Street, Hobart, 7000. Published April 2015.