What's it worth?

Two pieces of legislation relate to workers in Victorian school canteens:

1) State legislation: 'Victorian Schools Agreement 2008'

This enterprise agreement between the Victorian Department of Education and the Federal Government sets down rates of pay and conditions for workers employed in Victorian government schools.

Under this agreement, there are two classifications which may apply to employees in government school canteens:

a) Education Support Class (formerly known as 'School Services Officer')

Under this classification, there are five wage levels: Level 1 (Range 1 or 2), Level 2 (Range 3, 4, 5).

There is no specific mention of school canteens. However, "Safe Food Handling" certificate is referred to in the descriptors for Level 1, Range 1. The Education Department advised VSCA that this would be considered the appropriate level for workers employed in school canteens.

	Rates of pay for the Education Support Class classification may be found at this link: http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/hr/empconditions/ES_rates.pdf
	Descriptors for the tasks and responsibilities at different levels may be found here: http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/hr/empconditions/Dimensions_of_Work_descriptors.pdf

b) School Council Employees Other Than Education Support Class

In this section of the State Agreement there is the specific job title, "Canteen Attendant", with its own rates of pay.

The Agreement does not contain a description of what this job would involve. However, it is listed alongside other positions such as Out of School Care Assistant (not Coordinator).

VSCA considers that this classification would not generally appropriately reflect the level of coordination, skill and responsibility inherent in the role of most employees in school canteens, such as menu planning, ordering and stock control, safe food handling, financial operations, supervision of employees and/or volunteers, etc.

Rates of pay for School Council Employees Other Than Education Support Class may be found at this link: http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/hr/empconditions/Non_ES_rates.pdf

Contacting the Department

	To contact the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development about employment conditions and rates of pay, there are two options:
	Central HR: For schools that pay workers through the centralised HR system, phone 1800 641 943 and press option 1 for recruitment
	Local payroll: For schools that pay workers through local (regional) payroll systems, phone your regional office. A list of regional office contact details is available at this link: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/contact/regions.htm

2) 'Fair Work' - national legislation

In 2009, the Federal Government handed down a National award, now updated to Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2010.

Under this Award, "responsibility for running school canteen" is specifically referred to within Level 3, section (vi) - School operational services grade 3.

The Fair Work Infoline advised VSCA that where a State Agreement exists, the State Agreement overrides any National Award. In other words, if an employee can be classified under a State Agreement, then they must be. As such, the employee would be covered by the conditions and classifications set out in the State Agreement.

HOWEVER, the minimum rate paid may not be lower than what is specified in the National Award. In other words, whichever rate of pay is higher - the rate specified in the State Agreement, or the rate specified in the National Award - must be applied as the minimum which the person can be paid.

	The Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2010 may be found online at this link: https://extranet.deewr.gov.au/ccmsv8/ViewKBInstrument.aspx?Code=MA000076
	To find the classification relevant to school canteens, - Using the left-hand menu, scroll down to and click on "Schedule B - Classifications". - Then scroll down through the main body of the document to section B.2.3 - Continue scrolling down to sub-section (vi) School Operational Services Grade 3. (School canteens are specified in the third dot point under this subheading.)
	To find minimum rates of pay, use the left-hand menu to scroll down to Section 4 - Minimum Wages and Related Matters

Be fair to yourself - get informed!

Working out what you should be paid can be complex, because the State Agreement and National Award must be compared, and the correct rate of pay depends upon a variety of factors which may vary in your specific situation. Even within the same canteen, the responsibilities of workers may be vastly different - eg a manager compared with an assistant. And as we know at VSCA, school canteens come in many shapes and sizes!

The best way to work out what you should be paid is to call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

Staff at the Fair Work Infoline can help you to analyse your individual situation and to work out which parts of the legislation relates to you and the minimum that you should be paid.

This credible, official information will enable you to be well informed in your discussions with your employer and to ensure that you are fairly recompensed for the work that you do.

VSCA believes that workers in Victorian school canteens make exceptional efforts to service their school communities, and deserve fair recompense for their work. VSCA recommends that schools seriously consider their option of paying canteen workers (particularly Canteen Managers) at either a higher rate or a higher level than Level 1, as the higher rate or level may well be more reflective of the responsibility, skill and complexity which in reality their position involves.