The vital role school support staff play in education and the ways in which our union is working to ensure they have careers they can count on was recognised as part of recent School Officer Day celebrations held on Wednesday, 9 June.
IEU Chapters and members across Queensland and the Northern Territory took the opportunity to thank and recognise our support staff for the essential role they play in our school communities.
IEU-QNT Assistant Secretary Brad Hayes said our schools simply couldn’t function without support staff.
“From laboratory technicians, teacher aides, grounds staff and administrative staff to cleaning staff, library staff and IT specialists, support staff are dedicated professionals,” he said.
“Our support staff make a difference to our school communities every day and, as a union, we are there to make a difference for them,” Brad said.
Making a difference
Since school officers became members of our union in the late 1980s, our union has continued to campaign for the professional respect and recognition required to properly acknowledge their role in our schools.
“Our union understands the specific challenges facing support staff – particularly in regard to classification, contract arrangements, wages and recognition,” Brad said.
“Establishing a clear classification structure and wage rates, appropriate hours of duty clauses as well as leave entitlements are just some of the ways our union has ensured Careers You Can Count On for school support staff,” he said.
Chapter celebrations
After having to host a virtual celebration last year due to the pandemic, IEU Chapters across the state and territory were thrilled to once again celebrate School Officer Day together on-site.
Celebrations included celebratory morning teas and by electing their School Officer/ Services Staff Chapter Representative as part of our union’s new Chapter Leadership structure.
Click here view photo highlights from this year’s School Officer Day celebrations across IEU Chapters.
