TAFE strike postponed

The TAFE strike proposed for November 24 has been postponed.
Bans imposed by TAFE non-teaching educational staff have also been lifted.

The strike and bans were to protest against inadequate TAFE funding, proposed fees and restructure.

On October 27 Federation's Senior Officers endorsed a TAFE TA Executive recommendation "that the strike proposed for November 4 be postponed at this stage, and that the bans imposed by TAFE non-teaching educational staff are lifted until consideration of the new structure due the week beginning November 3."

Federation General Secretary Barry Johnson said the decision was made partially in recognition of the Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge "restoring the fee exempt status of introductory/access courses in TAFE and of changes to the original version of the restructure which will reduce the negative impact on TAFE".

Mr Johnson said the Minister has advised that "the review of TAFE fees is an ongoing process" and that "all students enrolled in courses of more than one semester in duration will be given the option of paying their fee in two instalments".

"The Minister's response to the Federation regarding the TAFE Budget is however, totally unacceptable as it suggests that further budget cuts are likely, even though we have reminded him that TAFE funding has been cut by 25 per cent in real terms per student hour in the last five years," Mr Johnson said.

"It is of vital importance that all members continue action, opposing the proposed 2004 TAFE fee increases of up to 300%, opposing job losses in any restructure, and supporting the restoration of funding in real terms.

TAFE course fee exemptions re-instated

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October 2003 contents