School staff work to rule

Issue 

School staff work to rule

By Stephen Robson

PERTH — School support staff in Western Australia have begun a work-to-rule campaign to pressure the state government to increase the allocation for staff in the next budget.

With the government devolving education to the local level, one result has been to place more work on the support staff.

The 2000 administrative staff, library support staff and laboratory assistants, members of the State Public Services Federation, began their campaign on April 11.

In 1993, a joint committee between the Education Department and the SPSF recommended that 288 full-time equivalent staff be employed, costing $4.75 million. A fall-back position of 185 staff in the most urgent areas was costed at $3 million, SPSF organiser Kristin Berger told Green Left.

The state government has not acted on the recommendations.

The work-to-rule involves banning unpaid overtime, home work and working outside set duties.

A meeting between the SPSF and Education director-general Greg Black on April 13 failed to make any progress. The SPSF disputes committee will meet on April 19 to consider escalating the campaign, Berger told Green Left.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.