Catholic Education is ‘demanding explanation’ from teachers involved in Tim Tam feud: union

Head of Catholic Education Tas is demanding an explanation from teachers involved in cheeky campaign slamming a recent ‘Tim Tam ban,’ according to union. THE LATEST IN THE SAGA>>

THE Tasmanian Catholic Education Office is demanding explanations from teachers who have participated in a cheeky campaign against a controversial snack ban, according to the Independent Education Union.

In August, IEU organiser Dino Ottavi was directed to stop “bringing foodstuffs” on his visits to Catholic Education Tasmania’s (CET) 38 school sites across the state, as angst grew over the lack of a new staff agreement.

Mr Ottavi had a habit of bringing Tim Tam biscuits to his meetings with school staff but was advised by CET that bringing snacks to schools presented an “OHS/WHS risk” and he was no longer allowed to bring “food/beverages … onto CET sites for any reason”.

The directive has prompted outraged teachers to publicly show their solidarity with Mr Ottavi by posing for pictures devouring Tim Tams.

However, CET executive director Gerard Gaskin has said the decision came after students had “helped themselves” to an open packet of Tim Tams “carelessly left behind” after an IEU meeting.

Dr Gaskin said the package listed the contents as containing allergens including nuts and that it was “only luck that the students who ate the biscuits did not have an allergic reaction”.

IEU Victoria Tasmania general secretary Deb James was not convinced by this explanation, saying the snack ruling was merely an attempt by CET to “frustrate” the union.

“We are advised that the TCEO has written to principals, asking them to demand explanations from any staff who have shown support for the IEU through the public consumption of sweet snacks,” Ms James said.

“We’d strongly advise Mr Gaskin and the TCEO to focus on rebuilding very damaged trust relationships across Catholic education rather than the petty pursuit of staff who have spoken up about this absurd ban.

“As always, we will vigorously defend any IEU member who is subject to unfair or unreasonable treatment in their employment.” Asked whether staff who had taken part in the ‘Tim Tam-gate’ campaign would be punished, CET referred the Mercury to Dr Gaskin’s original statement, adding: “Catholic Education Tasmania does not disclose personal information relating to its staff or students.”

Dr Gaskin previously said the IEU was “frustrated” that CET management was consulting “directly” with unionised staff and that the majority of its employees were not members of the union.

Catholic Education responds as Tim Tam feud ignites

A union organiser with a penchant for Tim Tams has been banned from sharing snacks on his visits to Catholic school sites, prompting sympathetic staff to gorge themselves on the chocolate biscuits in a show of solidarity.

Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania (IEU) organiser Dino Ottavi was directed by Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) manager IR and legal Richard Heyward on August 2 to stop taking food and beverages into schools.

“The practice of bringing foodstuffs onto CET sites has been deemed to be an OHS/WHS risk and following normal protocols, you are now directed that you are not permitted to bring food/beverages … onto CET sites for any reason,” Mr Heyward wrote in a letter to Mr Ottavi.

A union organiser with a predilection for Tim Tams has been banned from sharing snacks on his visits to Catholic schools

Mr Ottavi’s habit of sharing Tim Tams and rice crackers with school staff, has prompted union members around the state to express their support for him by devouring the treats in the workplace, posing for pictures in the process.

The union has dubbed the saga ‘Tim Tam-gate’ and believes it’s part of a broader effort by CET to stifle negotiations over a new staff agreement.

CET operates 38 schools across the state, including St Virgil’s, MacKillop, and St Mary’s, and provides education to a total of about 16,000 students.

Teachers rip into some Tim Tams. Picture: Supplied

IEU secretary Deb James called on CET to immediately scrap its “farcical snack ruling”.

“The (Tasmanian Catholic Education Office) … would definitely gain respect by sitting down and bargaining seriously,” Ms James said.

“It would show they have genuine concern for the wellbeing of their overworked staff. Currently, the TCEO are showing contempt for their workforce by refusing to negotiate, issuing spurious Fair Work claims and blocking biscuit-bearing union organisers from Catholic schools.”

The IEU has fired back at Mr Heyward with a withering letter in reply, commending him for taking the safety of employees “very seriously” and noting, sarcastically, that “this risk exposure is greatly concerning”.

Teachers love their Tim Tams. Picture: Supplied

IEU senior industrial officer Denis Matson asked Mr Heyward to confirm that a risk assessment had been conducted prior to the snack directive being made.

“The union provides not only Tim Tams, but rice biscuits for those who are gluten-intolerant,” he wrote. “In order to ensure that this diabolical risk is fully controlled, we want to ensure that your risk assessment includes rice biscuits.

“On occasions we provide individually-wrapped Tim Tams. Has the choking hazard been considered?”

In response, Executive Director of CET, Dr Gerard Gaskin, said IEU’s Tim Tam campaign thumbed its nose at the issue of student safety.

“The IEU’s campaign might seem humorous but it hides a disturbing approach by the union and its membership with regard to student safety,” Dr Gaskin said.

Dr Gaskin explained that students had “helped themselves” to an opened packet of Tim Tam biscuits “carelessly left behind” after an IEU meeting at a Catholic school.

The packet listed the contents as containing allergens including nuts.

Catholic Education Tasmania executive director Gerard Gaskin

“It was only luck that the students who ate the biscuits did not have an allergic reaction. For the IEU to make light of the risk of students suffering anaphylactic shock due to their negligence is disappointing.”

Dr Gaskin said the IEUs ‘Tim Tam’ campaign is nothing more than an attempt to disguise the union’s “casual attitude” to student safety.

“The real issue is the fact that IEU officials refuse to present their Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) cards when visiting Catholic Education Tasmania worksites, therefore the officials are not permitted entry.

“In turn, the IEU is frustrated that Catholic Education Tasmania management is consulting directly with unionised staff, and the majority of our employees who are not union members.”

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