Principals in bid to break union ranks

Busselton teachers and principals are divided over whether school administrators should have separate unions to represent their interests.

The Principals' Federation of WA says the rise of independent public schools has given principals extra flexibility but added to their workloads.

The PFWA has applied to the WA Industrial Relations Commission to operate as an industrial body independent of the State Schools Teachers Union of WA - a move welcomed by Busselton member and Geographe Primary School principal Tim Baker.

"There are different pressures and issues for principals now compared with teachers and we do need to have our own coverage," Mr Baker said.

"The teachers' union are more inclined to look at things from teachers' perspectives. Over the last 20 years they have tended to forget the perspective of administrators… our workload has increased and I don't think the SSTUWA recognises that."

According to the PFWA, principals were disappointed the State Government's EBA agreement with the SSTUWA failed to recognise the unique pressures administrators were under.

Mr Baker said he believed the PFWA had sufficient clout to go it alone.

"The membership of the PFWA has been growing," he said.

"It's a fairly powerful organisation. The Education Department recognises that it needs to have principals on side. They rely on our goodwill."

The SSTUWA has opposed the PFWA's application and Busselton representative Geoff Holt said teachers had grave concerns about a potential split.

"We have always been concerned about dividing the profession; we see it as divisive," he said.

"It has the potential to drive a wedge between teachers and administrators and we question the motivation because unity is strength."

Mr Holt said principals were already over worked and they would be left exposed without the full backing of the SSTUWA.

"Whoever you are, whether you're a teacher, a teacher's aid or whatever, we should be speaking as one voice," he said.

LATEST NEWS

Capes Residents in Australia Day Honours

Black Tie on the Timber Event Success

Retro Ducati a Coup for Bunbury Dealer

SW Potato Growers Hurt by Free Spud Stunt

Roll Up Your Sleeves and Save a Life

Teen Videos Surprising "Catch"

Click here to go mobile with iNFOGO - local everywhere