TAFE colleges first up in campaign against contracts

By Dennis Long

Federation members in TAFE colleges are to join in action on June 1 to oppose Federal legislation which would make federal funding conditional on NSW offering individual contracts to TAFE teachers.

The contracts, known as Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), would be required under the Skilling Australia's Workforce Bill 2005 which was introduced into Parliament on May 11.

The Federal Government is expected to proceed with similar measures for the funding of schools, either through legislation after it gains control of the Senate on July 1 or via "tied grants" offered to the states.

Members in TAFE have been authorised to stopwork to attend rallies in major centres or to lobby Federal Members of Parliament. Federation members will be joined by members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) in a national day of action. The national day is also about legislation that ties funding in higher education to the offering of AWAs.

In Sydney, members will rally in Ultimo and march down Broadway to Belmore Park where they will be joined by NTEU members. Speakers will include ACTU Secretary Greg Combet.

The push for individual contracts overriding awards entitlements in TAFE and higher education are the latest developments in the Government's efforts to wind back workers' rights.

On May 9, the Federal Government was granted leave to intervene in the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW against the application by Unions NSW in the Secure Employment Test Case. The Federal Government opposed every facet of the union application which includes efforts to help casual workers gain permanency for their work, to restrict the use of labour hire, and to include additional occupational health and safety clauses in awards.

The Government efforts are expected to accelerate. Federal Cabinet considered further changes on May 23. The Government could recall Parliament early, in July, to reintroduce legislation previously rejected by the Senate.

New legislation may be drafted for the parliamentary session beginning August 9.

Federation support for the protest on June 1 follows on from Sky Channel information meetings held on May 27. The Sky Channel meetings were organised by Unions NSW to alert union members to the dangers of the Federal Government's industrial relations agenda and the need to explain these dangers to non-unionised workers and the wider community.

Federation is working with Unions NSW and the ACTU to ensure that the general community learns what is at stake.

Radio advertising has begun in NSW and television advertising will begin in mid-June.

Other key dates are a Sky Channel at 9am on July 1 and an event at Olympic Park on August 7.

Dennis Long is the Editor.

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