Membership matters #1838 welcome!
contents 3 Message from the president 4 Who we represent 4 What we stand for 5 The structure of the AEU 6 AEU leadership and officers 10 Membership services unit 11 Your union and you 12 Training 13 AEU member programs 14 Behind the scenes 16 Partners Dear member, Welcome to the Australian Education Union, your union. Your membership makes a difference. It will deliver even greater achievements for you as an educator and for your profession. Having joined, you are helping to promote the value of public education in our community. Make sure you access our many services as we are here to support you. I wish you well in your endeavours and congratulate you on choosing a career in public education. 19 Contacts Mary Bluett President AEU Victorian Branch 2 3
The structure of the AEU Branch Conference (meets annually) Branch Council (meets 8 times per year) Branch Executive (meets fortnightly) Sector Council (meets 8 times per year) Primary Secondary Early childhood TAFE & Adult Provision (TAP) Regions Who we represent Nationally the Australian Education Union (AEU) has 190,000 members. In Victoria there are more than 46,000 members across early childhood, primary, secondary, TAFE, AMES and disability services. These last three make up the AEU s TAFE and adult provision (TAP) sector. What we stand for The AEU stands for: Strong advocacy for public education and those who work for it Delivery of high quality and relevant services and advice to members Improving salaries, career structures and working conditions for members Empowering members in their workplaces Encouraging active engagement of members in our union Ongoing growth in membership across our union to further our campaigning capacity and strength. We are working to achieve these goals. We invite everyone who shares these goals to join with us. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall. Sub-branches & workplaces TAFE committee Disability services committee AMES committee The structure of the AEU Victorian Branch is designed to allow plenty of opportunities for involvement by members. Branch Conference meets annually and is the supreme governing body of the union. Branch Council is made up of about 120 members from all sectors of the union. It meets twice each term to decide union policies related to educational and industrial issues. Regions: The state is divided into regions that meet regularly, usually twice a term. Any interested member from any sector can attend their AEU regional Sub-branches in institutes & workplaces meeting to discuss educational issues and to help shape union policy. For dates and venues, go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/reg_ meetings or contact your AEU regional organiser. Sub-branches or network groups are the engines which feed and drive the union at the local level. They usually consist of a group of members at a school or workplace. Each workplace has its own AEU rep (representative) who is elected by the members. The rep is the AEU s primary contact in your workplace. 4 5
AEU leadership The AEU Victorian Branch is headed by an elected leadership. These 12 leaders represent the four sectors which constitute the union membership. They are supported by metropolitan and regional organisers, the Membership Services Unit, and by industrial, research and other staff. Cross-sectoral AEU officers and staff Organisers Each location is part of a region and each region is supported by a team of organisers. The West team covers Melton, Sunbury, Werribee and Maribyrnong. The North team covers Broadmeadows, Latrobe/Plenty, Diamond Valley and Inner City. The East team covers the Yarra Valley, Lilydale, Ringwood/Croydon, Doncaster, Warringal and the Inner East. The South East team covers Knox/Dandenong Ranges, Cranbourne, Waverley, Nunawading and Berwick/ Pakenham. The South team covers Springvale, Dandenong, Prahran, Longbeach/ Moorabbin, Frankston, Peninsula and Wonthaggi. Mary Bluett Branch President Meredith Peace Deputy President Brian Henderson Branch Secretary Gillian Robertson Deputy Branch Secretary Andrew Ferguson Schools Kim Daly Training officer Jeff Slingsby Justin Mullaly Vice President, Secondary Erin Aulich Deputy Vice President, Secondary Tony Delaney Helen Stanley Carolyn Clancy Vice President, Primary James Rankin Deputy Vice President, Primary Kerry Maher Joe Mulhall Early Childhood Shayne Quinn Vice President, Early Childhood Martel Menz Deputy Vice President, Early Childhood Meaghan Flack Marylouise Chapman TAFE and Adult Provision John Handley Bob Parr AMES Jo Fogerty Vice President, TAP Greg Barclay Deputy Vice President, TAP Mark Hopper Rowena Matcott Training officer 6 7
Our country offices are located in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Benalla and Morwell. They also work with the teams. John Oakley Benalla GNE Rosemary Crowe Geelong BSW Specialist officers Erich Sinkis Ballarat CHW Michael Claven Bendigo LCM Jeff Gray Gippsland Occupational health and safety Janet Marshall and Bob Maguire are our health and safety representative (HSR) support officers. The AEU is committed to working to improve the health and safety of those involved in education; HSRs in schools and workplaces play a vital role. Janet and Bob are available to present at sub-branch meetings. Education support Kathryn Lewis is the education support staff officer and works statewide, with other organisers, supporting, representing and training our ES members. Janet Marshall OHS Bob Maguire OHS Kathryn Lewis Education Support Graduate teachers Andrew Cassidy is the graduate teacher organiser. Andrew runs our programs in universities and all the structures designed to get new teachers more involved in the union. AEU Principals Jeff Walters and Peter Hendrickson are our AEU Principals organisers. The AEU has a large and active principal class membership. Women s officer Barb Jennings is the women s officer. She runs a women s program which includes an annual dinner and conference, metropolitan and regional professional development, opportunities for women activists to spend time at the AEU in the Anna Stewart Memorial Project, and representation and advice on matters which particularly affect women. Andrew Cassidy Graduate teachers Peter Hendrickson AEU Principals Jeff Walters AEU Principals Barb Jennings Women s officer Disability organisers Kerry Maher and Meaghan Flack support members in the disability services sector, along with the country organisers. TAFE organisers Our metropolitan TAFE organisers are Andrew Ferguson, Marylouise Chapman, Jeff Slingsby, John Handley and Joe Mulhall. Regional TAFE institutes are covered by our AEU country organisers. Bob Parr is our organiser supporting members in the adult multicultural education service. 8 9
Membership Services Unit If you have questions or are not sure of what or how to do something then please contact us. The Membership Services Unit (MSU) is a group of six people whose role is to answer your questions by phone or email. You can also contact your local organiser who is responsible for your workplace or call our training organisers, women s officer or leadership. The sub-branch is there to support you and you are there to support the sub-branch. Be active, get involved and have your say. The AEU offers advice or referrals on a wide range of issues including: Pay queries Contract employment Workcover Disciplinary procedures Workload Casual relief teaching Occupational health and safety Leave Workplace harassment Equal opportunity Legal matters Psychological referrals. Contact the MSU on (03) 9417 2822 or 1800 013 379 between 8.30am & 5pm Monday to Friday or email melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au Denise Welling Margaret Pekin Ken Sampson Fiona Sawyer Rob Stewart Michael Hill Your union and you Be informed and be involved Visit the AEU website www.aeuvic.asn.au, with its members-only section. Check out the current campaigns and how you can show your support. Agreements set out the terms, conditions and pay for your sector. Your Agreement Implementation Guide gives you the rundown on your employment conditions and how to get the most out of each new agreement. These can be found on the website in the members area. If you attend AEU Active Training, you will receive a hard copy and a USB containing more information. As a new member, you will also have been sent a copy of the essential law booklet, Teachers, Students and the Law, produced for the AEU by the Victoria Law Foundation. Let us know of any changes to your details via our website at www.aeuvic.asn.au/update or contact our membership records unit (see p. 15). At your workplace Ask someone to identify the AEU rep for you. Tell your rep that you have joined. Ask the rep to let you know when and where the sub-branch meets. Attend those meetings, ask questions and raise issues there is no such thing as a silly question! It is important to have input into the sub-branch to ensure that issues from all staff are discussed. Attend a regional meeting. Keep us informed We like to keep up with our members and their whereabouts. It is essential if we are to communicate with and support you effectively. Let us know if you: Change work location or contact details Change your time fraction Resign or retire from the union Access maternity/family leave Access leave without pay Return from leave. 10 11
Training The AEU runs a huge range of industrial and professional training for members, ranging from after-work events to conferences and two-day training courses. Annual conferences are held for primary and secondary graduate teachers in schools, ES members in schools, principal class members, women, early years teachers and assistants, casual relief teachers and members in disability services and TAFE. For details of everything we offer, go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/training where you can also download our AEU Events Calendar a handy booklet that has been widely distributed to reps and school PD coordinators. You will find sessions to meet your industrial and professional needs, at all stages of your career. All bookings are made online. Just click on your chosen event in the AEU website at www.aeuvic.asn.au/calendar to enter the booking system. We can also tailor workshops to deliver at your workplace. One of our most often requested sessions is Legal Liability. 2011 EVENTS CALENDAR Events_cover.indd 2 2/02/11 9:53 AM All bookings are made online. Just click on your chosen event in the AEU website at www.aeuvic.asn.au/calendar AEU member programs New Educators Network (NEN) Graduate and student members meet regularly to share successes, discuss concerns or issues and become more involved in the AEU and education as a whole. NEN is a means for graduate teachers to raise their specific concerns and shape the union s agenda in these areas. Young Member Activist Program Each term, two younger members have the opportunity to experience and participate in current AEU activities with AEU leadership and staff. The program runs for one week at our office in Abbotsford. The AEU covers replacement costs to release participants from their workplace. Anna Stewart Memorial Program (ASMP) This unique project is a chance for a woman member to become more involved in the union. It is a two-week off-thejob training program and the AEU pays replacement costs at the workplace. The project is a memorial to Anna Stewart, a remarkable journalist and unionist who won landmark changes for working women. Women s Information Network (WINs) The AEU encourages women to become involved in the union at their workplace. WIN builds on a long AEU history of women s involvement and leadership and gives support and assistance to the many women activists already taking a role. We encourage you to support the woman in this role or to take up this position. ES Advocates The AEU offers a one-week PD program to encourage ES members to become more involved and gain a greater understanding of the AEU. The ES Advocates program gives ES members an opportunity to: Spend a week at the AEU Have input into the AEU s approach to ES issues and future directions Work with AEU leadership, organisers and MSU staff. The AEU pays replacement costs for two ES members per term to participate in this exciting program. If you are an active ES member of the AEU this is a great opportunity. Professional Networks The AEU has established members email networks for school curriculum and professional development coordinators. Members receive a termly bulletin of news, research, information of PD opportunities, and more. To join, email john.graham@ aeuvic.asn.au. 12 13
Behind the scenes AEU NEWS v o l u m e 16 I i s s u e 8 I d e c e m b e r 2 010 v i c t o r i a n b r a n c h The long road to EQUALITY My School rebooted The first year teacher s story Election coverage A E U t : 0 3 9 4 1 7 2 8 2 2 f : 1 3 0 0 6 5 8 0 7 8 w : w w w. a e u v i c. a s n. a u News_8_complete.indb 1 7/12/10 11:52 AM Besides our leadership, organisers and MSU officers providing direct support to members and sub-branches, the AEU has a full range of backroom staff who serve and support you. Communications centre The newly formed Communications Centre combines the work of the former publications and information services (library) units. Our journalists and designers keep members up to date with union news and campaigns through our AEU News magazine, sector newsletters and e- newsletters. The team also designs and produces most AEU resources, from bumper stickers to campaign posters to this booklet. Your regular copy of AEU News provides the latest information about the issues that affect you with news, features, member profiles and analysis of what s happening in education settings around the state. Email the unit with feedback or ideas for articles at aeunews@aeuvic.asn.au. To subscribe to our e-newsletter, fill out the box in the Latest News panel on the front of our website at www.aeuvic.asn.au. Most AEU publications can be viewed online in our members-only section at www.aeuvic.asn.au/members. The Communications Centre is also responsible for distributing the AEU message and other material to members via email and hard copy mail. Make sure that the AEU has your current email address. Our information specialists organise and manage the union archive and access to internal and external information r esources. Our specialist collections include teacher union history, leadership and management, Koorie education and women s issues. The range of national and international journals includes a complete collection of teacher union and Victorian education gazettes dating from the early 1900s. Staff can conduct literature searches, and the library area of the AEU website has a list of subject resources available to members. Call (03) 9417 2822 or contact library@aeuvic.asn.au. Membership records Our membership records unit can help with any queries you have about your AEU membership. If you need to update your details, such as work location, name or address, or time fraction, change the account that your subscriptions are paid from, or request a tax statement, just call (03) 9417 2822 and ask for our friendly membership records staff. You can also change your details online at www.aeuvic.asn.au/update. Switch Your first point of contact will be our staff at the switchboard who will direct you to the relevant workgroup in the organisation. The phones never stop so it helps if you identify if your query is membership or work related. Access to all services is available only to members. Research and industrial Our research and industrial staff can offer advice on professional, research and workrelated legal matters. Finance unit Our finance staff oversee the $22 million budget of our growing organisation. They process all financial transactions and, importantly for sub-branches and regions, the annual allocation of funds. Superannuation Barbra Norris and Christine Stewart are your representatives on the VicSuper board of directors, while Dean Glare and Angela Stringer are your representatives at ESSSuper. They are available to answer all your questions about superannuation. Call (03) 9417 2822 or 1800 013 379. 14 15
AEU Partners As an AEU member you have access to a huge range of services and benefits from our affiliates and partners. And don t forget you are part of a national trade union movement with two million members. The AEU is affiliated to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Victorian Trades Hall Council. Check the members-only section of the AEU website for a full list of the benefits available to members from our partners. Remember, it pays to be a union member! Credit unions AEU members and their families are eligible to join two dedicated credit unions for education workers mecu and Victoria Teachers Credit Union. Each gives access to services such as home loans personal loans bill paying direct salary crediting travel insurance and cheque accounts. Teachers Health Fund Teachers Health Fund is a not-for-profit health insurer caring for over 100,000 teachers and support staff nationally. The fund is only available for education union members and their families and offers value-for-money health insurance. To organise a school visit or to contact our Teachers Health representative, Sarah Kupsch, call (03) 9417 2822 or 1800 013 379. Retirement Victoria For financial advice, we refer our members to Retirement Victoria (RV). An RV advisor works from our Abbotsford office on Tuesday and Thursday. Call (03) 9820 8088 for an appointment. RV also runs regular pre-retirement planning seminars for members at the AEU. Union Shopper Union Shopper uses the combined purchasing power of Australia s two million union members to secure significant savings on everything from white goods to cars and holidays. Call 1300 368 117 or go to www.unionshopper.com.au. Presidential Card Your membership card gives you access to the Presidential Card and Shoppers Advantage programs, with tens of thousands of special offers and savings. Go to www.aeu.presidentialcard.com.au. Travel and holiday offers AEU members can access great travel and holiday deals through special membersonly rates at Tempo holidays, Budget car rental and Allworld International, and others, including Victorian destinations Shizuka Ryokan retreat and spa in Hepburn Springs and Metung Holiday Villas in the Gippsland Lakes. Check our members section for offers. Computers and IT The AEU works with Apple computers and IT resellers CentreCom to provide discount deals for AEU members. Check the members section of the AEU website for more. Professional development The AEU is a partner in two PD providers which operate out of our office in Abbotsford. TLN (Teacher Learning Network) is a not-for-profit professional development provider, supported by the AEU and the Victorian Independent Education Union. It runs seminars, workshops and conferences and publishes books and resources for teachers and education leaders. The TLN Course Directory is sent each year to school PD coordinators, and a full listing of TLN events is available at www.tln.org.au. VELC (Victorian Educational Leadership Consortium) provides high-quality, targeted PD for serving and aspiring school leaders, to build leadership capacity and support school improvement. VELC provides advice and support at both a group and individual level on career pathways at all levels. This includes support for application writing and interviews. To find out more go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/velc or email ross.dean@aeuvic.asn.au. 16 17
Contacts Regional AEU online The AEU Vic website is the essential one-stop shop for AEU members, with a wealth of resources and information: Read the latest news Get involved in AEU campaigns Find out about your pay and conditions Ask a question online Find and book AEU training and PD Update your details Read our publications online Join one of our networks Get information on health and safety Access special member-only offers and services. Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com search for Australian Education Union Victoria Visit our campaign sites MY SCHOOL NEEDS www.myschoolneeds.com.au www.tafe4all.org.au www.aeuvic.asn.au Metropolitan AEU Victorian Branch head office 112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford 3067 Postal Address: PO Box 363, Abbotsford 3067 Tel: (03) 9417 2822, 1800 013 379 Fax: 1300 658 078 Email: melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au Web: www.aeuvic.asn.au AEU Ballarat office 608 Sturt Street Ballarat 3350 Tel: (03) 5331 1155, 1800 013 039 Fax: (03) 5333 7105 Email: ballarat@aeuvic.asn.au AEU Benalla office 90-94 Nunn Street Benalla 3672 PO Box 861 (for all postage) Tel: (03) 5762 2714, 1800 013 994 Fax: (03) 5762 6954 Email: benalla@aeuvic.asn.au AEU Bendigo office 89 Williamson Street Bendigo 3550 Tel: (03) 5442 2666, 1800 013 990 Fax: (03) 5441 4090 Email: bendigo@aeuvic.asn.au AEU Geelong office Suite 2, Ormond House, 109 Yarra Street Geelong 3220 Tel: (03) 5222 6633, 1800 133 853 Fax: (03) 5222 6599 Email: geelong@aeuvic.asn.au AEU Gippsland office Level 1, 42 Buckley Street Morwell 3840 Tel: (03) 5134 8844, 1800 013 979 Fax: (03) 5133 6120 Email: gippsland@aeuvic.asn.au 18 19
Ensuring AEU members are OK! AEU Victorian Branch head office 112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford 3067 Postal Address: PO Box 363, Abbotsford 3067 Tel: (03) 9417 2822, 1800 013 379 Fax: 1300 658 078 Email: melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au Web: www.aeuvic.asn.au