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Agreement talks begin at lastWith both parties finally at the negotiating table, time will tell if wecan bridge a huge divide on teachers’ pay.president’s reportNEGOTIATIONS on the next SchoolsAgreement (for teachers and principals)began on August 4. Furtherbargaining talks are scheduled on aweekly basis.The negotiations will be carried outon a “without-prejudice” basis. Thismeans that neither side will publish thenegotiating positions of the other ormake statements to the media aboutthe negotiations unless it is agreed.The AEU will report in generalterms to members via AEU News andother publications. Detailed reportswill be provided to your elected representativeson branch council and thebranch executive.AEU elected officers and organiserswill also provide detailed reportsto members at regional and subbranchmeetings.These protocols are very importantnot only for the free exchange of ideasin the negotiations but because of thenew “good faith bargaining” provisionsof the Fair Work Act.These impose obligations on theparties to exchange information andAlan Cooper, Geoff Allen & StaffLevel 3/432 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004Visit us at www.retirevic.com.auto negotiate with a genuine view toreaching agreement.The challengeWe will be reminding Premier TedBaillieu of his policy to make Victorianeducators the “highest paid teachersin the nation”. Right now Victorianteachers at the top of the scale arepaid 7.8% less than the highest paidteachers, in Western Australia.So 7.8% is what would be neededto make Victorian teachers the equalhighest paid.However, WA’s agreement hasexpired and teachers there havebeen offered 3.75%, 4% and 4.25%over the next three years — albeitpredicated on productivity changesthat have been rejected by their unionexecutive.Let us be clear: a 2.5% “pay rise”— Baillieu’s current position — whenthe cost of living is running at about3% is effectively a pay cut.However, we will negotiate in goodfaith and Minister for the TeachingProfession Peter Hall has pledgedthat the Education Department will dolikewise. Only time will tell how such awide gap can be bridged.Work rightsThe AEU’s Annual Conference washeld on August 6. Conference isour highest policy-making body andthis year it endorsed policies onprofessional pay (not performancebonuses!), the TAFE skills reforms,climate change, and rising workload inthe early childhood sector. We have fullreports on pages 20–21.At conference I had the privilege ofintroducing Justice Mordy Bromberg tolaunch the new Work Right curriculumresource produced by the TeacherAEU PREFERRED PROVIDERSGlen Pearsall, and developed in collaborationwith teachers and students insix government schools.I encourage you to find out more atNEED Learning Network, THE the BEST PD provider ADVICEwww.tln.org.au. ◆that the AEU hosts and funds.Students often come to us to raiseissues about work, whether it’s theirpart-time job or their first job afterthey leave school, or their careerAEU Vic branch presidentdevelopment more broadly.Teachers and ES staff can helpyoung people to understand theirrights and responsibilities in theworkplace — not only to be effectiveworkers but to be safe in theworkplace, free from harassment anddiscrimination and to have their say.These are union values and AEUvalues and they are values we wantto give to our students. This resourcewill support our members in thatimportant role.Work Right is not only the first ofits kind, it’s also ground-breaking inits use of technology, with free iPhoneand iPad apps, and online support. Itwas written by one of our members,TO RETIRE SUCCESSFULLY YOUAPPOINTMENTS (03) 9820 8088Retirement Victoria is the AEU’s preferred provider of financial and retirement planning services to members.Retirement Victoria Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Lts AFSL 244252AEU PREFERRED PROVIDERSAlan Cooper, Geoff Allen & StaffLevel 3/432 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004Visit us at www.retirevic.com.auWHY IS RV SO HIGHLY REGARDED BY TEACHERS?Our advice is personal and ongoing. We know the value of a continuing professional relationship.• An RV financial plan ensures the best retirement outcomes in the areas of taxation, socialsecurity and supernnuation — especially state super. Considering each area in isolation makesno sense and can be detrimental.• First appointments are complimentary• A tailor made plan costs $660• RV was established by union members for union members.Don’t just take our word for it — ask one of the thousands of satisfied clients we have assisted over thelast two decades — they are not hard to find!For information concerning future seminars see our website www.retirevic.com.auor book online at www.aeuvic.asn.au/calendar and click on date and event.APPOINTMENTS (03) 9820 8088Retirement Victoria is the AEU’s preferred provider of financial and retirement planning services to members.Retirement Victoria Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL 244252.www.aeuvic.asn.au 3