Just prior to the successful 1000+ gathering at the Capri Cinema, Goodwood on 12 August 2007, DECS CEO sent the AEU a letter that backed away from the proposed model with a range of concessions. These are:
- No changes to Instrumental music in 2008 for primary or secondary schools or students.
- Instrumental music teachers to remain part of the Instrumental Music service, north, south and country and will not be forced into schools.
- Trials to commence in 2008 of a range of different instrumental music delivery styles, including the original Year 5 whole class approach.
- Trials will be paid for by DECS and from outside the Instrumental Music Service budget.
- Trials will be voluntary for both school and Instrumental music teachers. That is; no school or teacher can be compelled to participate.
AEU members have always supported quality teaching and excellence in the Public Education system. AEU members support the critical evaluation of teaching methodology and pedagogy. On this basis the AEU also supports the trials where the following preconditions are met:
All staff involved, including Instrumental Music Teachers, are provided with appropriate Professional Development that meet identified needs.
- All staff participation is on a voluntary basis.
- Trials will not contribute an additional workload impost upon those who volunteer, that is; trials will be fully resourced; e.g. to allow for any release time required for planning and evaluation.
- Trials are conducted within an action research framework and outcomes are critically evaluated by a centrally established “Trial Review Committee’ consisting of representatives from Instrumental Music Service, primary and secondary classroom teachers and the AEU.
However, since then, the situation for the Instrumental Music sub branch has become much more complex. 2 staff members have been informed that they are under investigation by DECS for alleged complaints of bullying. These members have been outspoken activists in the IMS campaign and have the support of their sub branch. In question is the process used by DECS for the investigation. The DECS Special Investigation Unit has been instructed to conduct a “preliminary investigation”. This process is in breach of DECS policy which specifies that the DECS Grievance Procedures be used to investigate bullying allegations.
The IMS sub branch has voted unanimously to engage in a further campaign in support of their colleagues. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, members gathered at 31 Flinders St for a rally. This was followed by the withdrawal of goodwill and the refusal to use private vehicles to travel to schools.
On Wednesday 26th September, IMS AEU members will take a one hour stop work from 2pm – 3pm.
Members are calling for:
· an immediate reinstatement of the employees to their positions; and
· a commitment by DECS to act within agreed procedures and specifically the DECS Grievance Procedures.
The Progressive Educator team supports the IMS sub branch in taking strong action to resolve this matter.
AEU elections - make your vote count!
AEU ballot papers will be sent out to you on Friday 5th October, 2007. The ballot will remain open until Friday 26th, October, 2007.
Please talk to members at your worksite about the importance of voting.
Make sure you vote as soon as you receive your election papers in the post. Less than a third of AEU members voted in the last election.
We are very pleased to announce that 2 members of our team have been elected unopposed. Anne Crawford will be AEU Female Vice President and Jack Major continues in his role as AEU Branch Secretary. Congratulations to both Anne and Jack.
To complete the AEU leadership team, we ask that you vote 1 Correna Haythorpe, Branch President and vote 1 Marcus Knill, Male Vice President.
"I believe that this team has the experience and ability to deliver strong outcomes for all members and for public education".
Andrew Gohl, current Branch President
Please vote for the following Branch Executive candidates:
Andrew Gohl, David Smith, Lesley Lindsay Taylor, Peter Trethewey
Correna Haythorpe, Lara Kelly, Daniel Pereira, Mick Braham
Marcus Knill, Jackie Bone-George, Lyn Waller, Chris Champion
Anne Crawford, Kelvin Jeanes, Carmen Kowalski
Film Screening:
Time: To Be Advised
Palace Cinema, Rundle St., City
Tickets: $15 full, $11 concession
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Bookings Call: 0412 231 011, 0423 213 690, 0418 894 366
1 comment:
Adelaide Nov 8, 2007: After several months of campaigning with the support of the Australian Education Union, the two music teachers have been exonerated by the Education Department. The capitalist press admitted that this was "an embarrassing development" for the Department. AEU President Andrew Gohl said: "It was what we said it was from the outset - a politically motivated attack on two critics of attempts to change a music prgrame."
Music teachers celebrated the win with another rally outside the Department.
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