Dear Colleagues,
On the 4th of October the Tasmanian Education Association (TEA) was successfully launched. Since then the interest right across the educational workforce in Tasmania has been fantastic. Iit is now widely recognized that the TEA offers value for money, a choice of union membership, membership for all education workforce employees and a leadership team that will represent its members with determination and vigour. As expected the launch was greeted with hostility by AEU president, Ms Leanne Wright. I have decided to respond to two of her comments.
1. Advocacy for TEA members
The TEA has never claimed that it is able to participate in award and agreement negotiations in the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) because the TEA is registered under different legislation. Having now attained the required membership threshold, we have instructed our lawyer to begin the registration process. Meanwhile, we are doing what we do best, building our membership base and when necessary providing vigorous advocacy for our members on matters that affect their daily working lives, particularly those related to current industrial awards and agreements and the State Service Act. Please follow the link and read Section 28 of the Industrial Relations Act 1984.
http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/index.w3p;cond=;doc_id=21%2B%2B1984%2BAT%40EN%2B20111117000000;histon=;prompt=;rec=;term
You will see that Ms Wright is wrong when she asserts that the TEA cannot be “advocate(s)” for our members.
2. TEA Member Subscriptions
Ms Wright has a nerve saying that it is unclear what will happen to TEA member subscriptions, particularly when the AEU collects millions of dollars in members’ subscriptions each year,yet only produced a surplus of $7,846 this year. In response, I am happy to draw her attention to the fact that the TEA’s finances must be independently audited each financial year. Ms Wright may also like to know that TEA subscription rates for members are up to 57% less expensive than AEU rates.
We thank Ms Wright for her concerns and reassure her that TEA members’ subscriptions will never be used to:
1. Employ the union president on a $150,000 plus “package” which includes an extremely generous 15% superannuation loading. (More than 99% of education sector employees)
2. Employ a state manager on a $150,000 plus “package” which includes an extremely generous 15% superannuation loading. (More than 99% of education sector employees)
3. Buy the president and state manager each an expensive new car; pay for petrol, servicing and insurance and allow for private usage
4. Pay almost $1.5 million on office refurbishments
5. Pay thousands of dollars for cocktail parties, interstate travel and dinners for union officials, and finally;
6. Create superfluous $120,000 plus positions (such as a communications, campaign & media officer), especially when the operating margin is low.
Join the TEA and Save
The table below highlights savings that a selection employees in the public education system can make by changing their union membership to the TEA. More detailed information about membership and subscription rates is available on the TEA website. Follow the link to: www.tasmanianeducationassociation.com
Classification TEA Saving
Teacher Aides L2 Y3 137.72
Admin/Clerical Staff B1-R2-2 227.04
Teachers – Polytech/Skills B1 L9 330.13
Teachers K-12 B1 L12 330.13
Yours sincerely,
Greg Brown
President Tasmanian Education Association
“The more you read,
The more you know.
The more you know,
The smater you grow.
the smarter you grow,
The stronger your voice,
When speaking your mind,
Or making a choice”
Greg Brown President Tasmanian Education Association
