Federation members from Metropolitan, Regional and Rural TAFE colleges have escalated the protected industrial action in their campaign to secure a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
Federation members will protest outside the Head Office of TAFE NSW in Mary Ann Street Park, Ultimo today from 10:00am.
The escalation of industrial action had been caused by the failure of the Perrottet Government to negotiate a replacement TAFE Teachers Enterprise Agreement.
NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said delivering a real wage cut to TAFE teachers would worsen the workload and attractiveness of the TAFE sector as a career option.
Over the last 10 years, State Government policies have deliberately run-down TAFE contributing to the skills crisis in NSW†he said.
In 2012 TAFE NSW employed more than 17,000 teachers and related education employees. In 2022 that number has declined to just 8197.
Removal of support staff has resulted in TAFE teacher administrative workload increasing, this has led to a many leaving the profession.
TAFE teacher salaries haven’t kept pace with the cost of living. With inflation sitting at more than 6 per cent and growing, the Government’s pay offer to the TAFE sector represents a pay cut.
TAFE teachers rejected the Perrottet Government’s insulting Enterprise Agreement offer in August this year and are demand negotiations on increased permanency, sustainable workloads and fair and just salary increases.â€
Federation TAFE members have been left with no alterative other than to take action.â€