TAFE teachers Julie Waddington, Sue Johnston and Lyn Koeppl with Federation Relief Organiser Astrid O’Neill spread the word on the impact funding cuts and the proposed restructure will have on TAFE.

Teachers and students mobilise

LINDA SIMON writes she can't think of any other time that so many people have mobilised in support of TAFE's future.

TAFE teachers and students have mobilised to oppose proposed TAFE fees and the restructure of TAFE.

The Carr Labor Government, in contravention of Labor Party policy, has imposed fees on TAFE NSW next year, which in some cases triple the former administration charge.

Between TAFE TA members and students, thousands of letters have been sent to community groups and industry. They in turn have approached the Government and protested at these changes.

For the first time ever in TAFE, student groups have been mobilised. Through the Labor Council and various unions such as the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), a TAFE student network is being developed. All TAFE TA members are needed to distribute student petitions, to talk to students, and to encourage them to become part of this network. Groups have been set up at both Ultimo and Wollongong campuses, and the Students in TAFE Action Group (STAG) has held a rally against the proposed fees.

Last month, outside the Sydney Institute at Ultimo, teachers and students handed out leaflets and explained to TAFE students the impact of the proposed TAFE fees. They held a cake stall over several days, highlighting the need to sell cakes to raise money for students who would be unable to afford the new TAFE fees.

TAFE has established a committee to look at the impact of these changes in fees. A proposal has been put up to the Minister by the Department of Education and Training to allow multiple exemptions for some students who are entitled to Centrelink benefits, but only for certain vocational pathways in TAFE. The Minister certainly hasn't agreed to multiple individual exemptions and is not yet reviewing fees in general.

TAFE TA members are campaigning both against the proposed fees and the proposed restructure of TAFE and the Department of Education and Training.

The proposed restructure includes a loss of more than 1000 jobs in the Department, of which TAFE TA predicts more than 800 are in TAFE.

A resolution of the Upper House of the NSW Parliament obtained Department of Education and Training documents relating to the restructure. Within the nine boxes of documents were named all program managers in the Divisions and next to their names the words "delete", "merge" or "direct transfer". These very detailed documents had been developed in an environment where, according to the Minister, nothing had been decided other than the need to save $60 to $70 million.

Documents also revealed the predicted loss of teaching jobs, both permanent and part time casual, as a result of the proposed restructure and TAFE fees.

Federation opposes the restructure, and any restructure based on the need to save money. TAFE TA is supporting the Divisions and other units in TAFE, such as the Professional Development Network (PDN) and the Vocational Education and Assessment Centre (VEAC) to work through new structures that will enable improved working relationships and services to teachers in Institutes. All TAFE TA members will be called on to oppose the loss of jobs in these areas and in other parts of TAFE.

Many areas of industry, including peak bodies, have been strong in opposing the restructure and its destruction of TAFE.

At this time TAFE TA members in head office, divisions, and institutes have implemented bans on ministerial, implementation of and reporting on government commitments, and new course development procedures.

Local campaigns will continue to be developed and implemented. Teaching relief is available for institute groups to work on campaigns and TAFE TA will provide funding to assist these campaigns. Let the Government know the strength of teacher anger around these attacks on TAFE. The Minister is aware of teacher anger and TAFE TA believes it is important that Premier Bob Carr also receives this message. As the campaign slogan says: "Life Long Learning -- Let TAFE Live!"

Linda Simon is TAFE TA Secretary.

Campus handover will be opposed

Letters protest fees

Placards greet Minister

TAFE students take to streets over fees

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August 2003 contents