School staff battle for jobs

By Melanie Sjoberg ADELAIDE — On November 9, Grand Prix visitors were confronted by a group of School Services Officers (SSOs) determined to raise awareness about the state Liberal government's attacks on their jobs. Members of the Public Service Association (PSA) gathered outside a main entrance with placards and information to highlight the contradiction between the government's support for Electronic Date Services, sponsor of the 1995 Grand Prix, and its plans to cut 500 support staff from schools at the end of 1995. It is also rumoured that the information technology work for schools may be contracted out to EDS. The irony is that the SSOs' campaign recently forced education minister Rob Lucas to reject contracting out some education department tasks to the private company SERCO. On November 7, arriving at Blackwood High School to attend a closed meeting with staff, Lucas was confronted by more than 100 black-clad students who slow-marched a coffin in front of his vehicle down the school driveway. The students were joined by SSOs chanting and waving placards. The success of the SSOs work-to-rule bans and community action has forced Lucas to announce a $2 million grant scheme to help re-employ primary school support staff in 1996 to help students with learning difficulties. PSA councillor Cathy Grove told Green Left Weekly that this concession was no solution. Rather, it eroded permanent jobs creating more casual, unreliable positions. PSA members have been angered by the token gesture and local actions, in conjunction with the SA Institute of Teachers, will continue.

From GLW issue 211