TAFE New England staff stopped work for three hours on Thursday afternoon as part of a statewide Public Service Association members’ protest against proposed cuts to working conditions.
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The Public Service Association (PSA) says TAFE NSW has refused to withdraw its proposal to cut working conditions, despite staff overwhelmingly voting against the proposal in September last year.
TAFE NSW’s proposal includes increasing the weekly working hours for 80 per cent of the workforce for no extra pay, removing rostered days off and refuses to pay a back-dated pay increase, despite not granting a rise since July 2014.
PSA Tamworth organiser Steve Mears said the decision to strike at 1pm showed how desperate the situation was.
“It takes quite a lot to get that point,” Mr Mears said.
“We are only allowed to take industrial action when negations come to a stalemate or break down.
“The decision was not made lightly. We don’t want to disadvantage TAFE students, they’re our bread and butter, but if this enterprise agreement isn’t worked out, TAFE staff will be severely disadvantaged.”
Mr Mears wants TAFE NSW to pay attention to the strike and resume negotiations.
“Some of the sticking points are just ridiculous. We are really hopeful there is some kind of resolution,” he said.
PSA general secretary Anne Gardiner said TAFE NSW was not bargaining in good faith.
“It has made it clear it has no intention of listening to the concerns of their workforce,” Ms Gardiner said.
“For that reason PSA members in colleges and campuses across NSW have voted to take strike action to demonstrate they have no intention of accepting a razor being taken to their pay and conditions.”