Take leave to watch kids’ plays: teachers’ union

AEU’s suggestion comes as it forces plays to be moved to business hours, angering parents.

School Christmas plays will be moved to mornings from evenings due to union demands, meaning many parents will be unable to watch their children perform. Picture: David Anthony

The Australian Education Union is telling parents to take the day off work so they can watch their children perform in Christmas plays after the traditional end-of-year performances were shifted from evenings to 10am in a union ban on performing duties outside of school hours.

In a woeful public relations exercise which means working parents at some schools cannot see their kids perform, the SA branch of the AEU has confirmed it is placing work bans on the performance of primary school Christmas plays as part of its pay and conditions dispute with the state Liberal government.

READ MORE: CFMEU to Labor: change tack on trade or cash stops | Setka latest ‘bogeyman’ for enemies of CFMEU

At least three schools are affected so far — Trinity Gardens, Paringa Park Primary and Magill — with parents receiving letters this week saying the Christmas plays have been moved from the evening to 10am so teachers do not have to attend after school.

The tactic comes on the heels of a statewide ban imposed by the union on writing comments in student’s report cards, opting for a straight A to E, with parents being given no insights into why their student’s performance has declined or improved.

The move comes amid a dispute between the AEU and the SA Liberal government. Picture: Brendan Radke

The union says that both the report card comments and events such as the Christmas plays are an example of how overworked their members have become.

In a disastrous radio interview this morning, AEU organiser Andrew Gohl said the bans were “a by-product of the fact the Education Department over a number of years has refused to recognise the huge after hours workload performed by teachers out of sheer good will.”

“I understand the parents’ concerns about having sessions like end of year celebrations held during the school day. Those three hours might seem like a one-off … but it’s a cumulative effect when teachers are constantly using their goodwill after hours right through the year and every week and every day.”

As on @FIVEaaBreakfast, a primary school forced to move twilight #Christmas Party to 10am, as part of the Education Union’s industrial campaign for a pay rise. Gov response below #FIVEaaNews #AdelaideNews (You have to wonder if school camps will now be held between 9am & 3pm!) pic.twitter.com/fYf0LL7Wzd

— Matthew Pantelis 🎙 (@MatthewPantelis) October 30, 2019

He then told talkback station 5AA that if any parent wanted to see their child perform they should take an annual leave day.

“If parents are keen to see their children to be involved in those performances then they take their time off work like they’re asking teachers to do,” Mr Gohl said. “If seeing children perform is a priority then parents will make a commitment to go and see their children perform.”

SA Treasurer Rob Lucas. Picture: AAP

The comment sent talkback into meltdown with parent after parent ringing in to tell the AEU it had no idea, with one parent saying he had two jobs, one at Bunnings, and in the lead to the busy Christmas period had been told that no staff could take any leave.

The tactic has prompted a furious response from State Treasurer Rob Lucas who labelled the AEU “Christmas grinches”.

Last month the union sparked similar outrage with its report card tactics.

“These written reports take many, many hours,” state secretary Howard Spreadbury said at the time. “It takes a lot more time than just writing one sentence on each subject for each student.”

The government said the union’s tactics were counter-productive and would not force its hand in pay negotiations.

“Their actions are disgraceful,” Mr Lucas told The Australian.

“They are turning students into pawns in an ideological battle against the government. Students should not be the innocent victims of their industrial campaign.”