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By Melanie Sjoberg
ADELAIDE — Schools across the state were thrown into confusion by an acceleration of work bans on August 23, as part of a campaign to defend around 500 services officers' positions under attack from the Liberal government. School services officers are the backbone of administration, computer programming, and occupational health and safety in laboratories, as well as essential classroom support. Everything from the financial and student records to newsletters and notes home to parents are handled by SSOs.
PSA members have had bans in place since the beginning of term 3. On August 23 they were joined by SA Institute of Teachers members for a day of banning the phones and faxes, as well as leaving the school for lunch.
The purpose was to demonstrate the problems that are likely to arise if the proposed cuts occur in 1996.
A meeting of more than 1000 on August 17, organised by the combined Principals Associations, demanded that the government reverse the decision on SSO reductions. Southern Vales school councils brought together 200 parents on August 15, who also angrily rejected the cuts.
Widespread publicity is building a dynamic community campaign which is causing some disquiet amongst the marginal backbenchers in the Liberal Party.