SSO Workplace Agreement 2008 - Update 4/2008

Negotiations Heating Up!

It s getting to crunch time in the SSO negotiations and a number of key issues have been identified.

CPSU will provide members with updates as they emerge, but if you want a more detailed report, please contact CPSU to arrange a meeting at your school.

Pay Rises

The Government has a fixed pay policy of 3.25% per annum, and DEECD has reiterated this position and CPSU is pursuing our 7% per annum claims particularly in light of the recent Teachers settlement.

Classification Structure

It may be possible to increase the pay offer by making some changes to our SSO classification structure. Other public sector workers have been able to supplement the government pay position by making adjustments to their pay structures. CPSU has told DEECD that improvements need to be made throughout the structure and particularly at SSO 1 Salary Range 1 where most SSOs are currently employed. The parties will be undertaking some modeling in the coming weeks particularly CPSU's position to abolish SSO 1 SR1 and move these staff up.

Review of Dimensions of Work

The current dimensions of work are outdated and do not adequately reward SSOs for the work they perform. CPSU is seeking a comprehensive review of the dimensions of work which would consider greater recognition for experience, training and complexity of work.

Laptop Computers

DEECD has advised that it would be prohibitively expensive to purchase computers for schools to enable SSOs to lease them as teachers do. DEECD has stated that there is no ‚Äö?Ñ??extra money available beyond the pay offer however CPSU is seeking equity in conditions with teachers for SSO s and has suggested a phase-in program to limit the immediate cost of rolling out these computers to schools.

Working with Children Checks

CPSU argues that SSO s must be reimbursed the cost of these checks and it is unfair and inequitable that SSO s are the only public sector workers that have to pay and have not been reimbursed the cost of the checks. There is no agreement between the parties on this issue to date. There are a number of other issues being negotiated and CPSU will continue to consult with its members on all new developments. It is important that you encourage non members to join CPSU as it is clear that the government is fixed on its pay policy unless it feels compelled to do so by a strong union campaign. Membership forms are available from CPSU s website:

Arrange a Meeting at Your School or Network!

Northern & Eastern Regions contact: Geraldine Hughes, ghughes@cpsuvic.org, Southern Region contact: Nicky Kepert, nkepert@cpsuvic.org, Western & Loddon Mallee Regions contact: Christine Kells, ckells@cpsuvic.org, Gippsland Region contact: John Crane, jcrane@cpsuvic.org, Barwon South Western Region and Grampians Region contact: Mike Atkinson, matkinson@cpsuvic.org, Hume Region contact: Robert Laird, rlaird@cpsuvic.org or call CPSU toll free on 1800 810 153

Win a Myer Gift Voucher

Strong union membership is the only way we will achieve improvements to SSO pay and conditions. Help yourself and your colleagues by signing up a new member to CPSU today. The member who recruits the most new members by 1 July will receive a $200 Myer voucher. Make sure you fill in the recruiter information box in the top left-hand corner and new members will automatically go in a draw to win a $200 Myer voucher.

KAREN BATT
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary

Monday, May 12, 2008

Join the Team that Delivers!