Event Registration

Understanding Employment Law Frameworks for Schools (TUT)

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Start:  Thursday 14 March 2024 - 9.00am

Finish: Friday 15 March 2024 - 3.00pm

Location:  SSTUWA building, 1 West Street, West Perth WA 6005 (off Thomas Street)

About the course

This newly developed course is designed for all elected union delegates, including Representatives, Deputy Representatives, Women's Contact Officers, State Council Delegates and District Council Delegates. 

The course will provide an outstanding opportunity to build your knowledge and understanding around a range of  legal topics that apply to teachers and principals including: awards, agreements, policies, dispute resolution processes, duty of care, work health and safety in the workplace, equal opportunity and discrimination laws.

The course will begin with an outline of the foundations of the Legal Frameworks that apply to teachers and Principals. You will engage in conversations around understanding the differences in complaints versus Level One and Level Two Grievance Procedures and how to select the best process for a resolution.

You will learn what the SSTUWA Legal Services team do including the role of Advocates and Case Managers.  Know what legal services the SSTUWA offers to members and how to access it.  A lawyer from Slater and Gordon will join the team to outline important aspects of Duty of Care and implications for schools.

The SSTUWA Work Health and Safety Organiser will outline the role of a Union Rep within work health and safety in a school and how the Union supports branches with any WHS issues. 

The Women's Organiser will provide an overview of discrimination laws and how you as a Union Rep or WCO can support discrimination issues in your workplace.

Please note:
SSTUWA may fund travel and accommodation expenses for currently elected representatives outside the metropolitan area. Each regional application will be assessed by the Education and Training Centre Coordinator for funding approval. All flight and accommodation bookings will be made by the SSTUWA upon approval of your travel request. We will be in contact with you once the event has been confirmed based on the minimum number requirements. Please do not book your own flights.

Outcomes

On completion of this course delegates will have the tools to:

• Better understand the employment law framework in Australia.

• Identify potential breaches of employment rights and distinguish such breaches from other disputes.

• Effectively engage in dispute resolution at a local level, including identifying when to refer matters to the Union.

• Identify when to refer a case to the SSTUWA office, and how to do so.

• Use the most appropriate methods to pursue industrial issues, including consideration of industrial vs legal responses.

Costs

$Nil: Members Only

Hospitality

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Facilitators

SSTUWA Team:

John Theodorsen - Legal Services Consultant

Mario Schmidt - Legal Services Case Manager

Natalie Swinbourn - Coordinator, School Organisers Team

Antony Pearson - WHS Organiser

Janette Bedwell - Women's Organiser

Nominated Audience

Elected delegates including:

• Union and Deputy Representatives
• Women's Contact Officers
• District Council Delegates
• State Council Delegates

Trade union training leave-Schools

Members in schools and TAFE colleges are eligible for five days of paid leave per year to attend trade union training (TUT).

To comply with TUT leave requirements applicants must:

• Submit applications to DoE/principal four weeks prior to the event.
• Provide DoE/principal with a printed copy of the course program attached to this form.
• Be nominated by the SSTUWA. See “nominated audience” on the attached course program.

The school will not be charged for the salary of the person attending trade union training - this is covered by the DoE.  However, if a relief teacher is required, this is funded through the school's one line budget.

For school administration
When processing TUT leave applications:

• Ensure staff attending training have selected TUT Leave in HRMIS.
• Project code 1471 will be generated within the payment system.

Professional Standards for Teachers in Western Australia

This training relates to the following standards :

Standard 6 – Engage in professional learning
Standard 7 – Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community