Member Bulletin Number 9 2020

Please note that our office will be closed Friday 24 July due to the Darwin Show Day regional public holiday.

In this bulletin:

  • Latest on covid as Term 3 begins
  • Members’ election Q&A with Selena Uibo – RSVP now
  • Hurry! Only one week left to register for our annual Conference 

Latest on covid as Term 3 begins
Welcome back everyone for Term 3. We hope you’ve had a good break and are feeling recharged, as NT education continues on the path of returning to normal. Many school procedures affected by covid have now returned to normal but there are still numerous precautions in place, which are detailed in the DoE Term 3 Operating Guidelines.

The AEU NT has assisted some members who have been affected by the NT Government’s decision during the school holidays to declare Victoria and parts of NSW coronavirus “hotspots”. Where possible we have ensured that members are still paid whilst in quarantine if they travelled to an interstate area before it was declared a hotspot.

However, there are no exemptions from mandatory quarantine if returning from a hotspot. Anyone who travels interstate until further notice risks being required to undertake quarantine and placed on leave without pay if the area they have travelled to is declared a hotspot. As such we recommend members reconsider any future plans for interstate travel at this time, especially to hotspots.

We encourage you to contact the office if you have any questions about covid and how it affects your work and your employment conditions. Additionally, OCPE has produced a helpful new page providing advice to public sector employees on changed working arrangements during the covid pandemic, such as when you can access special paid leave.

Members’ election Q&A with Selena Uibo – RSVP now
We are holding an online Q&A for members with Education Minister Selena Uibo next week to talk about education issues ahead of the NT election on 22 August.

The forum will be conducted via Zoom from 5.30-6.30pm on Tuesday 28 July. All members are welcome to attend but you must RSVP by emailing [email protected] or phoning 8948 5399 so we can send you the link to join the meeting.

This is your opportunity to ask the Minister directly any questions you have about education issues, so make sure you take advantage of the opportunity. Also, don’t forget the deadline to enrol and update your details with the NTEC is Friday 31 July.

Hurry! Only one week left to register for our annual Conference
Our annual Conference has been rescheduled for the weekend of 12-13 September in Darwin.

Sub-branches must register your delegates and submit any matters for consideration by Conference by Friday 31 July. Our office is phoning all sub-branches to request your registration forms – you can download the information you need here.

As the event will now take place after the NT election on 22 August, the focus will be on understanding the Territory’s political and economic landscape and also preparing our log of claims as we move into public sector bargaining next year. Make sure your sub-branch is represented.

Further information
Download this bulletin in PDF format