ELRC 202324 Annual Report

EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS COUNCIL | 2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT

L EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS COUNCI

Grade R Universalisation in a separate allocation); and freeze the filling of all office-based Public Service posts (only critical posts to be activated). All parties acknowledged the zero growth in the post-basket for 2024. The parties further noted that the anticipated impact of the no substitute issue needs to be addressed. Learner growth is higher than previously anticipated levels. There is shared thinking on the zero increase in the basket of posts. Employee parties believe that the summary proposals could be prioritised. Employee parties remain concerned about the lack of substitute provisions for post-level 1. PL1 posts that will not be allocated for acting positions against vacant substantive SMT posts, except for principal posts and conversion appointment of PL1 educators on contract against vacant substantive posts proposals. WCED will issue post establishments to schools by 29 September 2023. The Establishment Circular accompanying the 2024 Educator Establishments will be held back until further notice engagement with employee parties. WCED will schedule another engagement on the proposed fiscal position and cost containment measures with employee parties on a date indicated by the Head of Education. WCED shall delay the issuing of the Conversion Circular. WCED shall obtain the educator unions’ input before issuing the circular. The Department would remain committed to bringing relief caused by learner growth. The educator staff establishments for the 2024 academic year for ordinary public and public special schools were released on 29 September 2023. The Head of Education concluded the consultations on outstanding matters deferred from the consultations held on 22 September 2023 and on 16 November 2023. Circular 34 of 2023 was released on 21 November 2024, outlining the cost containment measures to be applicable with effect from 1 April 2024. Early Childhood Development (ECD) Grade R The Employer consistently reported throughout the fiscal year the lack of personnel to effectively monitor subsidy spending. ECD managers are not on the WCED organogram, which poses a further risk to effective service delivery in this sector. Labour expressed concern about this challenge, which is reflected in the report consistently, without any intervention strategy in place. The Employer reported that the Organisational Development Directorate was engaged with scoping and Employee Parties would be consulted once the scoping is completed. Quality Management System (QMS) Labour indicated they are concerned about the many principals not teaching specifically in Metro East, Metro Central and Metro South Education. Labour wanted to understand what could collectively be done to ensure compliance with the implementation of Collective Agreement 2 of 2020. They inquired what would happen to principals not teaching if consequence management would be applied. The Employer responded that they attempt to manage with the Chief Director: Districts. They envisage training Circuit Managers (CMs) on how to deal with the training of newly appointees that must be trained. They will assess the situation and will implement consequence management if necessary. Additional Achievements: • A well-attended Safety webinar was held on 28 July 2023 with more than 800 educators. • An Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) Webinar was successfully held on 14 October 2023 with 1 911 registered employees and 1 124 YouTube viewers attending the event. • On 16 February 2024, a capacity-building workshop was convened to capacitate newly appointed representatives to Chamber meetings. This workshop was presented by the Party Leaders, the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, and the Provincial Manager. The workshop concentrated on the history, services, values, Constitution, and committee work procedures of collective bargaining services of the ELRC. Delegates sincerely appreciated all facilitators for a well-informed and well-structured workshop.

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