| SSTUWA Executive: Gloria Rogerson |
 I am standing with a group of dedicated unionists called MEMBERS FIRST. If you wish to be represented by an executive who always put members’ interests at the forefront in negotiations or conflict, then MEMBERS FIRST is the executive you must choose.Two years ago we were elected as THE executive to represent members and since then we have battled to overcome the endemic shadow of the previous executive. We were elected on a platform of open transparency as members were tired of being kept in the dark and having mediocre salaries and conditions dropped on us, even after industrial action. We believed that there was a fight to be had and we were prepared to do it. It has not been easy as whenever we tried to put an action or decision into place, it was always followed by arguments and delaying tactics of senior officers. They would have you believe that MEMBERS FIRST was responsible for the stalling which hampered executive decisions. We would have you believe that it was never MEMBERS FIRST, but the senior officers who used all manner of strategies to prevent open transparency and honest dealings with DET. Despite this, MEMBERS FIRST have proved that, using the legal and industrial strategies available, is not something to be feared. Instead these can be used for effective gains, and staying strong and supporting members’ needs, can be done, and with successful outcomes. Early in our tenure, we increased the number of executive on the negotiating team, because we were of the opinion that to stay with the same negotiating team used over the past few EBAs was a lunacy. We added primary and secondary classroom teachers, administrators, and both country and metro representatives to the mix. The result was a salary increase equal to that which the previous negotiating team had taken two EBAs to achieve. Was this because of the MEMBERS FIRST infusion? Too right! MEMBERS FIRST remind you of the many school and district visits by the current President, encouraging members to vote for an EBA(AIP) which included 15 hours PD in members’ own time, not to mention an inferior pay scale. It was due to MEMBERS FIRST executive, encouraging members not to accept such an insulting EBA, that we enjoy our current G.A. Before being elected as a member or the executive I was acutely aware that country members were often neglected, as rallies etc, were mostly held in the city and country members were usually uninformed as to the state of current issues. Whilst on the executive I have sought to remedy this with “Coffee & Chat” afternoons where I update members on the latest developments, lend an ear to local issues and pass these on to the organizers who are in a position to help. I regularly email members in my surrounding area, passing on information, making members feel that they are part of an organisation which strives to help teachers. I have organised rallies, processions through the city, visits to politicians and reported to the local media on Teacher issues. At present, issues facing teachers, are Interim Reports, Half Year Cohort, the violence epidemic in schools, bullying amongst staff, Independent Schools, Performance Pay, CPT and MPT, country housing and the next EBA. MEMBERS FIRST will achieve the best possible outcome for you, however to avoid another hung executive I urge you to vote for the MEMBERS FIRST SENIOR OFFICERS. Ask yourselves whether any other group could do or have done as well as MEMBERS FIRST and you will conclude that the best team to do the job is, MEMBERS FIRST. |