By Mary Franklyn
General Secretary

Get on board and get organised for 2022

This edition of Western Teacher incorporates Getting Organised 2022. 

If you are not a member yet then don’t leave tackling the major issues of workload, well-being, safety and salaries to the person next to you. Don’t be a bystander, be a participant in our campaign.

Members have shown huge support for our Give the Cap the Boot campaign and we’ve had a win with the shift to 2.5 per cent. I acknowledge this member support, the solid collective campaigning of our fellow public sector unions and the leadership provided from UnionsWA.

The removal of the $1,000 cap is the start of our work. Schools and TAFE EBA negotiations now move to the next step up as we all get back to work. Executive work directives are in place for schools pending no resolution by 28 January 2022. (See page five.)

We need every member behind us when we stand up on the big issues. We need major reform in both schools and TAFE on workload, on stress, on safety and on salaries.

Your school/college branch is the heart and soul of the union. Having your union team in place at your workplace ensures everyone is looking after every member and all working together to keep and improve our conditions. Step up and ensure you elect your union team.

Step up and endorse the EBA Executive Directives. Do this as a collective.

Many thanks to those who have stepped up to be reps, OSH reps, deputy reps or women’s contact officers. For those considering it, I encourage you to do it. It’s an amazing privilege and challenge.

You will receive training and support all the way, because as we like to remind members – you’re never alone in a union.

To help you get started, everything you need to know is in your Getting Organised guide, which arrived with this Western Teacher. If you need more assistance, call your allocated school or TAFE organiser – you’ll find the list on page nine of the guide.

If you are already a member, thank you. Your efforts in putting up posters, wearing stickers, visiting MPs and sharing your photos on social media has seen us take a significant step towards a fairer workplace with better pay. Now we need to push on to tackle the core issues we know matter most to you.

I would urge all of you who are currently members to see if you can persuade one colleague each to join. A reminder, members get:

• Expert advice at your fingertips.
• Support when you need it.
• Journey Accident Cover insurance.
• Access to Teachers Health Fund.
• Huge savings on professional development.
• Member benefit discounts.

Union fees are 100 per cent tax deductible. Members also get a wide range of free training as well as significant savings on professional learning through the SSTUWA’s Education and Training Centre.

Encourage a colleague to sign up in Term 1 and both of you will go into a draw to win cash prizes or a Barrie Bennett book. Visit sstuwa.org.au/referandwin for details.

Thanks members – let’s go 2022. Research shows that union members get better pay (around $100 more a week) and better conditions. Union membership makes life better for everyone. Unions make life better for all citizens. Unions make a society a better place for all.