In this bulletin:
- AEU NT Executive and membership condemn Gunner’s pay freeze
- We’re hiring – Project Officer position for 2021
- Union elections commence Monday 30 November
- 2021 Branch Conference dates set
AEU NT Executive and membership condemns Gunner’s pay freeze
Our Branch Executive held its final meeting for the year last week and unanimously condemned the pay 4-year freeze announced by Michael Gunner in the 2020-21 Budget.
Members across the Territory have similarly condemned the freeze as our officers have visited sub-branches in Darwin, Palmerston and Arnhem over the past two weeks (with visits taking place to Barkly this week and Alice Springs next week). Many were shocked as they learned the enormity of what Gunner wants to impose – no pay rises whatsoever until at least 2025 (increment movements such as CT1 to CT2 will still occur).
This pay freeze affects all public servants – that includes DoE staff covered under the general agreement such as SESOs, admin officers and psychologists, not to mention police, nurses, firefighters and so on.
Make no mistake, this freeze is highly unpopular and our union will use our political and industrial muscle to fight for a fair and reasonable pay increase for members during enterprise bargaining in 2021. But we’re not waiting until then to build the opposition. The combined NT public sector unions have called a rally outside the final sitting of parliament for the year on Tuesday 8 December to show the united opposition of public sector workers.
You can join the resistance to the pay freeze by doing what many members have already done and taking a selfie or group photo showing that you “Say no a 4 year pay freeze”. Download and print your own copy, take a photo and email it to [email protected] and we will publish it on our AEU NT Facebook page along with the name of your sub-branch. You are permitted to do this in your capacity as a union member – it does not violate the Code of Conduct.
In early 2021 we will commence a lobbying campaign of Labor MLAs, as well as other community engagement actions, ahead of bargaining commencing. This issue has a long way to run and our union will stay united and stay the course.
We’re hiring – Project Officer position for 2021
We are recruiting another Project Officer to join our team for 2021. This role is an opportunity to work for the union in promoting union membership and activism across the NT. Applications are open now and close on Wednesday 9 December. For more information on the position and how to apply is available here.
Union elections commence Monday 30 November
Elections via postal ballot will commence this coming Monday 30 November and close on 11 January 2021. The following positions are contested and will go to a ballot (candidates listed in alphabetical order):
1) Branch President
- Delean Holtze
- Michael Pearson
- Jarvis Ryan
2) Vice-President (General) (elected by General Division members)
- Michael Pearson
- Michael Stimpson
3) Vice-President (TAFE) (elected by TAFE Division members)
- Ian Britton
- Delean Holtze
- Raj Koppula
4) Treasurer
- Julie Danvers
- Delean Holtze
- Stephen Nimmo
All candidates have been provided with the opportunity to submit a candidate statement and photo. On Monday 30 November, these statements will be provided via email to eligible financial members.
Note that candidates are entitled to stand for more than one position, however a candidate may only hold one office. Therefore, if a candidate is successful in more than one election, he or she will be declared the winner of the more senior position only. The positions are ranked from highest to lowest as follows: Branch President, Vice-President (General), Vice-President (TAFE), Treasurer.
Postal ballots will be sent to financial members at the postal address recorded on the AEU NT database. If you wish to check or update your postal address, you should contact the AEU NT office ASAP. Alternatively, you may wish to liaise directly with the AEC Returning Officer via [email protected].
Questions regarding these elections should be directed to the Branch Secretary on (08) 8948 5399.
2021 Branch Conference dates set
Branch Executive has resolved to hold our 2021 annual Conference over the May Day weekend. Conference will take place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May at the Alice Springs Convention Centre. Registration for Branch Conference will commence at the beginning of the 2021 school year and close on Friday 19 March.
Further information
Download this bulletin in PDF format