What we will do if elected

Jarvis and Anita have a clear plan of what we want to do to if elected to improve the union’s standing and make it a more effective organisation in advocating for and representing educators.

• Provide united leadership – Anita and Jarvis are the only candidates running as a team for the full-time officer (FTO) positions. We have a shared vision of what we want to achieve, and will work in a complementary manner to ensure the union responds to the threats facing our members and public education in a strong, articulate and consultative manner. This will involve building a collective leadership beyond the two Full-Time Officer positions, by ensuring we build the capacity of Executive and other representative bodies such as regional councils, to improve the responsiveness of the union as a whole.
• Give members a voice – a common frustration voiced by members about the union’s recent troubles is that they didn't feel listened to. Jarvis and Anita are committed to rebuilding the union’s democratic structures – we will take personal responsibility for ensuring that regional officers and sub-branch delegates are supported and provided with training to carry out their duties.
• Build the union – our membership density (percentage of eligible teaches who are members in the union) is much lower than other branches. Although we have the added difficulty of high turnover in remote areas, this is a challenge that needs to be addressed head-on. One reason for the problem is that little attention has been paid in recent years to recruitment and retention.  This is an area which can be addressed through better support of sub-branch delegates, training and targeted recruitment campaigns. We would also propose a differentiated and simplified fee structure, particularly for short-term contract teachers, to overcome obstacles to recruitment.
• Improve the union’s financial position – we will conduct an audit of all current expenses. The previous administration was spending money at an unsustainable rate. The union needs a strong financial foundation to be an effective campaigning and representative organisation. We will ensure resources are being channelled into where they are most needed and most effective - building campaigns and providing support to members.
• Strengthen communication – Jarvis has already taken big steps in this area as president through the weekly email bulletin and use of social media. We would further develop the initial efforts in this area to make sure members feel valued and included and that they are helping to drive union policy and action. Areas we would focus on include improving the quality of the Territory Educator as a professional and industrial journal, and overhauling the website to make it a more attractive and accessible first point-of-contact for prospective members, as well as a site for sub-branch reps and members to quickly and easily access relevant resources and campaign materials.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with this to ask questions about our plan for the union. Email jarvisandanita@gmail.com.