| SSTUWA Executive: Cliff Collinson |
 I am a teacher at Newton Primary School standing with the Members First team. I began my teaching career at Port Hedland Primary School in 1982 and almost immediately became union rep at my school. In 1983 I represented my branch at my first state conference of the SSTU and since that time I have continued activism in the SSTU. For the majority of my teaching career I have been union rep and occupational health and safety rep having fought many battles over the years. I am currently a member of Executive as part of Members First Team and have served on numerous union committees. In 1991 I led the staff at Calista Primary School on a walkout over the use of power tools to cut holes in the asbestos roof to install an air conditioning unit in the office. From my classroom I could see clouds of asbestos dust rising into the air. This action resulted in the school being closed until a thorough clean up took place and the ceilings were replaced. Although the final outcome was a positive one I experienced how senior officers of the Education Department constantly tried to minimise the expense to them to water down my demands. Throughout the dispute they often rang me at home to get me to agree to their agenda. This was a good lesson in the need for unity and to stand firm against a department that will always attempt to get you to compromise issues. In today’s world teachers and workers are facing many threats. The threat of globalisation and the neo liberal agenda that goes with it, is a major one. The current economic crisis is an opportunity for the right wing to further suppress workers and attacks on worker’s rights are sure to increase. Education is now seen as an industry with the main motive being profit and cost minimalization. Education is now Australia’s third major income earner behind iron and coal. Attempts to further privatize education will continue and grow stronger. The publication of league tables is an example of this. We must resist this vigorously in order to counter the neo liberal agenda. I believe the SSTU needs to develop strong relationships with other unions both here and abroad with a view of running joint campaigns. We need a lot of strength and resilience if we are to survive the onslaught. We know that attacks in our union and education will grow stronger. If we are to withstand their threats we need our union to listen to the issues of members to maintain strong branches where views are respected and to promote vigorous healthy debate as an important part of being a healthy union. For too long debate in our union was strongly discouraged. Like all teachers I care about kids and want a strong and viable education system. I do not want a system whereby schools are named and shamed if they are considered to have performed inadequately. Teachers need to be supported, given time to teach, valued and supported. This is not happening under the current system. As part of the Members First Team I will work hard to ensure that workload is reduced and our workplaces are safe, clean and attractive. The increasing threat of violence towards teachers needs to be taken seriously. If elected I will work hard as an active team member to counter the many threats facing us and to strive for significant improvements to salary and conditions of work. The Members First team offers a team that is approachable, consultative, energetic and passionate about education. Vote Members First 1 |