TAFE – Bulletin on bargaining – April 2019 (PDF version)
CPSU NSW wishes to inform members the TAFE Commission of NSW Administrative, Support and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016 will be expiring on 22 June.
With this in mind your union delegates began discussions at the most recent Delegates Council (DC) last month on some of the key workplace issues in the past few years. This is a work in progress; we will be consulting with the membership.
Interest-based bargaining
TAFE NSW invited your DC executive to a Fair Work Commission (FWC) session on interest-based bargaining (IBB) last month along with representatives from other unions. IBB is an alternate method of bargaining to claims-based bargaining.
Following the FWC session your DC discussed and voted on which method should be adopted for the coming bargaining. We debated the pros and cons of both methods: which would bring the most value to our membership, what will be most efficient way forward to represent admin/class support/libraries and security staff.
A significant consideration for the DC was a recognition that members do not want bargaining to be dragged out given it took eight months last time, caused some anxiety and stress, and ultimately affected when pay increases took effect.
The DC ultimately decided by majority in favour of the IBB given it doesn’t affect our ability to organise and recruit, it doesn’t limit our capacity to take industrial action, and it doesn’t inhibit us to properly advance our interests. For your interest, please find a link to the FWC information page on IBB. https://www.fwc.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/agreements/interest-based-bargaining
Bargaining teams
Your bargaining team is a diverse cross-section of the membership, it includes:
South Region
Brad Cowie – Wollongong (security)
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Robert Wurth – Illawarra (IT)
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Christopher Hobbins – Albury (class support)
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North Region
Liz Garlick – Tighes Hill (admin)
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Brook Down – Coffs Harbour (class support)
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Sydney Region
Simon Gray – Ultimo (library)
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Joe Harris – St Leonards (admin)
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Patrick Kiss – Hornsby (admin)
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Western Sydney Region
Tracey Doyle – Campbelltown (EAS)
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Glenda Pryor – Blue Mountains (library)
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Jin Cho – TAFE Digital
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Next steps – engagement with the membership
CPSU NSW will engage with members throughout bargaining to ensure all voices are heard and considered. We intend to conduct video-conferencing across all sites throughout and leading up to, the bargaining process.