School teachers join TAFE colleagues in fight

Mt Druitt TAFE teachers make themselves heard.

IRC decision recognised as potential precursor to broader offensive on conditions.

By Amber Flohm

In a show of solidarity with their TAFE colleagues, public school teachers joined rallies opposing the assault on TAFE working conditions at a number of venues across western Sydney earlier this month.

Teachers from Mt Druitt, Blacktown and Baulkham Hills schools joined local TAFE teachers to condemn the decision of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) and spoke of feeling insulted by the attack on their profession and the future of public education for all students. Teachers from the Blacktown local area gathered on the corner of Main Street and Newtown Road to protest loudly against the State Government's Work Choices-style agenda. A significant number of cars and trucks showed their support by honking loudly and yelling encouragement.

The group of over 50 teachers then marched to Blacktown MP Paul Gibson's office as the media followed in tow. They chanted, "Quality teachers here we are, now you've gone way too far", and community members applauded speakers from both TAFE and schools. Each TAFE teacher delivered a letter to Mr Gibson's office and vowed to return and protest until the dispute was resolved.

Earlier in the week, a similar rally was held outside Mt Druitt TAFE, where teachers stopped work to join public school teachers from the St Marys-Mt Druitt Teachers Association. Sylvia Innes, Fed Rep at Mt Druitt TAFE, detailed to the crowd the damaging consequences of the IRC judgment. She said it placed unreasonable demands on TAFE teachers that would affect the quality of teaching and learning programs.

Tregear PS Fed Rep Aleah Danzic also condemned the Government's attack on TAFE and argued that schools understood the implications of the IRC decision for them. Aleah concluded the rally by stating: "For as long as there is solidarity throughout our membership, school and TAFE teachers will fight this all the way."

Over 40 TAFE teachers from Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill, as well as teachers from local primary and high schools, gathered in front of Baulkham Hills TAFE College on Old Northern Road. President of The Hills Teachers Association and Federation Vice President Sui-Linn White assured TAFE teachers and members of the media that public school teachers in the area "would stand shoulder to shoulder with their TAFE colleagues" to fight the IRC decision.

Speakers identified changes to long service leave, professional development and the associated impact of the 20 per cent increase in workload for a 1.5 per cent average per annum pay rise on the provision of public vocational education and training. Community members and media representatives stood aghast.

Federation members in schools and TAFE have shown great unity in fighting this Work Choices-style agenda together. School teachers understand that the Government and the Deputy Director-General cannot be trusted - they have already been exposed for their dishonesty towards TAFE teachers by claiming not to seek an increase in attendance hours for TAFE teachers. They also know that savings made in TAFE through these changes are chicken-feed compared to what could be identified as "productivity savings" in schools.

As school and TAFE teachers turned to introduce themselves and shake hands at the various protest actions across western Sydney, the message was clear - an attack on you is an attack on me, and an attack on public education.

Amber Flohm is a Multicultural Officer/Organiser

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Last Modified: 19 Nov 2009