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The federal government’s new consultation paper for the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System, released last month, highlights the extent of the deep inequities in Australia’s education system.

As we celebrate 125 years of the SSTUWA this year, we have been publishing a series of articles in the Western Teacher telling the history of our union through time. This particular issue features legendary SSTUWA leader (and later life member) Nennie Harken with other members and more!

How can unions engage in a genuine renewal process and build union power to address union members’ needs in a fast-changing political environment?

Election of members to SSTUWA committees and delegates to UnionsWA at November 2023 State Council

There’s no better way to respond to objections than having the right information in front of you. Here are some of the objections you may hear and ways to tackle them.

Opponents of an Indigenous Voice to parliament say the Voice is merely symbolic and another pointless layer of bureaucracy. They say that what is needed are “practical measures”.

On Thursday 21 September we are asking members to participate in the SSTUWA for Yes Sticker Day to build awareness of the Unions for Yes campaign, to support recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a Voice.

Did you know that SSTUWA members have access to five days of paid leave each year to attend union training?

Every year thousands of schools, community organisations, universities and workplaces hold events across Australia for Wear it Purple Day.

The SSTUWA has welcomed Education Minister Tony Buti’s new 10-point plan to tackle school violence.

We know that unions have always stood collectively for and fought for equality, for Medicare, for superannuation and recently for better pay.

No one wants to be in a position where they have to make a workers’ compensation claim, not least because of the difficulty of taking legal action if the insurer denies the claim.

Earlier this year, the SSTUWA learned that following advice from the Department of Training and Workforce Development, WA TAFE colleges were not recognising pro-rata long service leave entitlements for members who started work directly after working for an interstate TAFE.

Members are at the centre of everything we do and providing an avenue for your voices to be heard is a key role for your senior officers.

Official figures have revealed Western Australian public schools are being underfunded by $31 million, with the shortfall rising to an incredible $374 million by the end of the decade.

Safety in schools has become a priority community concern. Members cite safety as the second most significant reason to leave the profession, after workload. Schools are often just a place where the violence manifests, not necessarily the root cause.