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Issue No. 148 | 16 August 2002 |
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Peak Performance
Interview: Labor Law Unions: Critical Conditions Bad Boss: Shifting The Load History: Peeking Out Safety: Flying High Corporate: Salaries High, Performance Low International: War on the US Wharves Review: And the Signs Said... Poetry: Tony Don't Preach Satire: Latham Dumps Rodney Rude as Speech Writer
Politics The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Human Rights
 Miranda's Not Fair on OutworkersAnother Capitalist Party?Justice For All?Kill the Photos!Right Wing Lackies
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News School Support Staff Demand Recongition
This is a national campaign run by the Community & Public Sector Union and its eight affiliated branches - PSA in NSW, CPSUV in Victoria, QPSU in Queensland, SAPSA in South Australia, CPSU/CSA in Western Australia, CPSU/SPSFT in Tasmania, CPSU/PSU in ACT and Northern Territory. Posters, brochures and stickers are being sent to members in all schools and members are being urged to stage local events to get the message across to the school and wider communities. The first recognition week was last year. The idea arose from a national conference of school delegates held in Brisbane in 2000. That conference was also a first. Last year's recognition week was a major success - the members were delighted that they and their work were valued. Here are a few short extracts from the many letters that members sent to PSA President Sue Walsh. Batemans Bay: " ... We put an item in our school newsletter and sent the same article to the local newspaper which was published (their typos, not ours!) " ... I even rang Macca (Australia All Over on Sunday Morning) but because I hadn't sent him anything beforehand (which I didn't think to do but will know next time) ... he couldn't give us time on his programme. " ... At first I was a bit reluctant to do anything. SASS [School Administrative & Support Staff] are far too modest - then I thought about our work review and how our jobs are changing so quickly and I thought we should get out there and insist on being recognised as an important part of the school environment". North Curl Curl: "Our school staff have been wonderful - chocolates all round and a special lunch. And have not stopped thanking us Woodberry: "What a blast. It has been the best week you could imagine. Not only has it been good for our morale (which was a little low) it has also bought [our] team together and we have had lots of laughs. " ... We also arrived to school to find portraits of all the support staff which had been done the previous week by a year 4 class. Fantastic. "Each staff member was given a fabulous 'huge' card which each school staff member had written something 'good' about each of us as well as what we can do well. Great for the self-esteem. "Two competitions were run and prizes given.... A huge lunch ... of course we didn't have to pay .... We all feel $1 million. A fantastic week". Goulburn: "This morning we had an entire school assembly and the P&C attended and presented all ladies with flowers and the males with fruit baskets. "We have had a great week. As one of the teachers aides commented 'I have been here for 15 years and it is the first time my work has been recognised'." Belmont North: "The SASS staff ... received recognition - � in the weekly School Newsletter ... � Teachers provided us with a fabulous morning tea ... � the Principal also presented each of us with a certificate in recognition of our contribution at the weekly staff meeting". Bankstown: "I would like to congratulate you on instigating this Recognition Week that has been successfully undertaken and received by the executive and teaching staff of the school. It would ... be advantageous to celebrate this [school support] Recognition Week on an annual basis". Beauty Point: [We] ... "were invited into both infants and primary assembly. The children were asked if they knew what we did and to tell us the different jobs they knew about. They then thanked us ... " Beacon Hill: "Our SASS all felt very special ... we were personally thanked at a staff meeting ... followed by a gourmet luncheon ... we arrived at our desks to be greeted by a long stemmed red rose ... I have to say that I have been the Senior School Assistant here for five years and in that time have always been shown appreciation by teaching staff and executive. They use a warmth and friendliness at the school which I feel you could go a long way to find in an workplace.' Holroyd: "We produced a quiz "How well do you know us?" and distributed it to teachers. It contained 30 general and trivia questions about SAS in the school. The winner received a prize which was donated by the Principal." Keiraville: "I made badges with our new badge maker and we have been wearing the proudly for the whole week." Kirrawee: "Our spirits are high - when is the next SASS recognition week?" Cooma: "I wrote an article and placed it in the local paper along with a photograph. The teachers put on a beautiful morning tea for the SASS staff. I placed a display in our front foyer of photographs and posters." Each of the state unions have organised industrial activities in comjunction with the celebration. For instance PSA NSW has written to every member asking them to partake in a recruitment competition. We are looking forward to another successful week. The CPSU and the state public services union have also had recognition campaigns for Police Support Staff - the Strength Behind the Force -- and University General Staff -- Can't Work Without Us. These campaigns were also much appreciated by members. The three campaigns have occurred in sectors where the public focus is on others - the teachers, police officers, academics and students. These co-workers gave our members great support. The campaigns have lifted the morale and profile of the support staff.
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