Countdown to the Election

[Goreripper]

While I'm here, performance-based pay rates for teachers is a sound idea, but it's completely unworkable. Teachers simply won't stand for it, and if Howard comes good with his threat and cuts off schools funding until the States force them to allow schools to be rated by performance levels, that will be the end of public education in this country. But while we're on the subject, why not performance-based pay for all public servants, politicians included? That's a pretty socialist idea really. I'm surprised the Libs came up with it, but in the end it will benefit the better private and public schools over the disadvantaged ones. After all, if you teach at a school that has high results, you'll get paid more. No one's going to want to teach at a lousy school, eventually they'll get even lousier and we'll have created a new underclass of illiterate unemployed. I am full aware of the bi-partisan stance on this "policy", by the way. I just can't see how it will work without massive industrial action and already disadvantaged kids becoming even more disadvantaged.

 

[Sydo]

It wont work, and teachers wont go for it. Just how would that performance be judged?
By student results - Impossible.
By parents? hahaha..
By other teachers? Not likely.

 

[Sydo]

That said, I do look forward to the time when I am able to negotiate my own AWA. For a skilled teacher who cares (not saying that is me!) the current system gives you NO incentive to try.

 

[Shannow]

Anyone who thinks that they can "negotiate" their own AWA is crazy.

What's your bargaining power ?

"I'll leave !!"

Fine, they'll get a replacement there quick smart, and you'll be out 10 grand relocating.

As to the system not giving a skilled teacher who cares an incentive, being a skilled teacher who cares seems to be enough for the skilled teachers that I know who do care. Some of them care enough to go to the general Catholic schools and take a pay cut.

 

[Dän]

Because UE is so low workers bargaining power is at all all time high.

 

[chrisvp]

None of you pinkos have either answered my question or given any good reasons to vote for Labor, why is that I wonder?

We are not pinkos you right wing homophobic fascist piece of shit , fuck you , your arguments/ debates from here on end are null and void , fuck off
I read this forum with interest for ages , you even showed some sound reason as to why many wont be voting the current government in then you crumble to shit by putting shit on people here which is fucked.

 

[Stonewall]

Bullshit

 

[Shannow]

Because UE is so low workers bargaining power is at all all time high.

I distinctly remember Costello when being questioned about the skills shortage in engineering and metal trades.

Interviewer suggested that this shortage would place upwards pressure on wages in these troubled areas, in line with market forces at work.

Costello stated that this would be "disastrous for industry, and that this Government would do everything in their power to prevent the skills shortage increasing wages in those areas".

Yep, Govt decided to repress the market forces.

A few years later, and "work choices" pops up.

BTW, this is exactly the same world class treasurer who, when petrol hit $1 per litre (oil was $45US/bbl, and the $Oz was 45cUS) stated that every cent that the dollar dropped against the U.S. greenback was 1c/litre at the pumps. Every $US that oil rose was another 1c per litre at the bowser.

$1 + 20c(for the oil price increase) - 37 (because our dollar is doing so well) = $1.40.

Some fucking treasurer and economic genious he turned out to be.

 

[Southy]

I like the fact that a completely unworkable work scheme is called Work CHOICES

 

[Shannow]

But it GIVEs you a choice.

Just ask the staff of the Mean Fiddler on ANZAC Day.

 

[Southy]

yeah sorry bout that

 

[Goreripper]

Because UE is so low workers bargaining power is at all all time high.

You still have a lot to learn, Dan.

 

[Sydo]

..

You would be wrong to comment on the situation I see everyday in my workplace.
Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoy my job - but when the time arrives and I have the option of moving back to Geelong I will. The only thing that would keep me teaching in a country school would be;
a - money.
b - professional development.
Under the current system, neither is an option.

Is that selfish?

 

[Goreripper]

I posted a reply to Shannow's post also, but UM was doing time-outs everytime I posted something this morning, so I lost it. Basically, the guts of it was that there are some schools, mainly government schools in outlying or disadvantaged areas of major cities, where teachers simply don't want to work. That's not because they're not dedicated, it's just because their workplaces are like prisons, except there's no bars and they don't have guns. Most NSW country schools are like Springfield Elementary, but real. No one wants to work in places like that.

 

[Dän]

You still have a lot to learn, Dan.

mate, economics 101. When UE is lower workers have more bargaining power and wages are higher, that is fact.

I know you like to ignore it; if you really dont agree with me I'll site a variety of books that tell you this and you can read them and maybe you'll learn something; but even if you did, you'd ignore it.

 

[Sydo]

I know you like to ignore it; i

I think you'll find that Shannow and Gore will argue that the concept may work in theory, but not in life.

 

[Dän]

Over the last yr nominal wages have risen by over 4%; you tell me that it doesnt work in practise.

 

[Shannow]

Explain to me how what happened to the workers at the Mean Fiddler on ANZAC Day is the system working to the benefit of workers ?
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21673343-5006009,00.html

These people turned up for work on ANZAC Day, were presented their AWA, told that they werre no longer recieving penalty rates. A reduction on that shift of 60 percent...while the pub charged patrons a holiday surcharge.

 

[Goreripper]

Wages have risen 4%. Petrol prices have risen by how much? They certainly don't rise in line with inflation. High petrol prices increase the cost of living, because they are factored into everything you buy. And tell me how adults working in a tavern on ANZAC Day getting paid the same amount as a 16 year old at Hungry Jacks = workers having more bargaining power. Bargaining power over what, exactly? The way the dole is now, if they'd staged a mass walkout and been fired, they wouldn't have been eligible for it, so it was either work for peanuts, or starve. Point out to me how that's a valid choice and represents workers having bargaining power.

 

[Winmar]

Some workers have good bargaining power (such as those tradesmen who put house prices up), but a shitload don't. Try telling some timid migrant that their bargaining power has never been higher!