TAFE Bulletin -- WORK BANS

History

In February 2004 the New England Institute of TAFE (NEIT) announced plans for restructuring. Despite returning $3 million in unspent funding to the State last financial year, the restructure predictably proposed job cuts, and predictably again, job cuts to PSA members as they were to 'non-educational' services.

What has surprised even the PSA however is the magnitude of these cuts. Institute functions have been revised and some positions were lost in IT, marketing and similar functions. But further jobs have been axed from every College student administration area, which seemingly goes well beyond the rhetoric attempting to justify the restructure. In total approximately thirty positions will be lost in a relatively small workforce.

By way of example, Coonabarabran TAFE stands to lose 33% of its staffing (1 position), Tamworth TAFE 45% (4 positions) and Armidale TAFE 33% (2 positions). Under the proposed restructure, no work will leave Colleges at this time, but perhaps in the future through undefined and undeveloped technologies.

Your Advisory-Group's action

On Friday 4 June 2004 the DET/TAFE Advisory Group met and were alerted of the issue. They consequently passed the following resolution :

"The PSA is opposed to the massive job cuts in New England Institute of TAFE. In light of this, PSA members are directed to stop supplying inter-library loans to NEIT

• forwarding payments to NEIT that do not disadvantage PSA or Teacher's Federation members, and
• directing mail to NEIT

Why get involved ?

Some members may feel that the NEIT restructure has little to do with their workplace and industrial action should not involve them. This is not true. In essence, being in a union is about using our collective strength to resolve industrial disputes. The members of NEIT were heartened greatly at their rally at Tamworth on Saturday 5 June to hear of State-wide support for their position.

Furthermore, the PSA believes that the NEIT restructure may be only the tip of the iceberg. The departmental restructure of this year appears to be being followed in quick succession by a number of Institutes looking to cut costs and slash jobs in varying ways. Before you decide to participate in the bans, ask yourself that if your job was going, would you appreciate the support of your colleagues throughout the PSA ?

The PSA urges its members to circulate this Bulletin and implement these work bans for what will hopefully only be a short period until the resolution of this dispute. For further information, please contact you local delegate or industrial staff at PSA House on 02 9290 1555.