TAFE/DET red letter day – Tuesday 20th

A letter will be hand-delivered to you on Tuesday 20 January 2004 outlining your future employment status as a result of the DET/TAFE restructure and the Corporate Services Strategy. It will either state that you have been directly appointed, are potentially displaced, or are a displaced or excess employee.

The PSA remains opposed to the proposed loss of 1170 jobs and the manner in which the restructure is being handled. The PSA is continuing to negotiate with management to attempt to ensure that no jobs are lost and all potentially displaced employees are redeployed.

Some continuing concerns

The PSA is concerned that the Department has not implemented the restructure of its staffing as required by the Premier's Department, particularly with regard to consultation with the PSA. Letters which will be sent to staff do not fully detail member's rights and the Department's obligations. The Department also appears to be moving prematurely towards seeking expressions of interest in voluntary redundancy where this is not necessary in accordance with Premier's Department guidelines.

The PSA's position is to emphasise redeployment over voluntary redundancy, and advises members that they need not act now for voluntary redundancy as case management is the priority.

Recent developments

The PSA DET/TAFE steering committee met on Tuesday 14 January and the PSA DET/TAFE restructure working party met on Thursday 16 January 2004.

In a meeting with the Department today, the PSA were promised that they would receive details of the locations and classifications of the employees targeted to be displaced as is required. The PSA continue to seek an answer as to concerns raised about possible Occupational Health and Safety impacts of the restructures.

The PSA is currently in negotiation with management on a weekly basis regarding maintaining jobs where they have been cut back, the premature implementation of the voluntary redundancy procedures, and the redeployment of displaced officers.

Should the outcome of continuing negotiations in the area not be successful, the PSA will seek the dispute be re-listed at the Industrial Relations Commission at the earliest opportunity. Plans for industrial action are also being formulated.

Not so appealing

One major concern to the PSA is the Department's failure to put into operation an adequate appeals procedure for displaced staff or staff offered positions which they are not satisfied with and would like to refuse. Members are referred however to the appeal mechanism contained within the Department's Managing Displaced Employees Policy, and advised that no matter what their concern, they should submit an appeal as outlined. The PSA has an agreement with the Department to review aspects of this appeals process we consider unsatisfactory and seek its extension to the entire restructure process.

Transferring employment from TAFE to DET

TAFE employees are still employed under the TAFE Commission Act 1991 (NSW) which separates them from the public servants in DET and the rest of the NSW public service. At present employees can only move between DET and TAFE as displaced officers at their substantive grades or by applying for jobs advertised externally. Some employees will receive a letter transferring their employment from the TAFE Commission to DET despite previous undertakings by the Department that this could not be done. Those employees that are being transferred in this restructure from the TAFE Commission to DET are eligible for payment of their entitlements in full. The PSA recommends that members seek financial advice when considering such action.

Long-term temporary staff

Contrary to some information being provided, the Department has obligations to seek redeployment for long-term (more than 12 months employment) temporary employees as well as permanent employees. Inquire with the State Coordinating Team and/or the PSA.

Stay involved !

Unhappy or confused about your employment status? In the current absence of a formalised structure, members should direct all inquiries to the State Coordinating Team (phone : 1800 338 354, fax : 1300 732 338 or email : statecoordinatingteam@det.nsw.edu.au) and not the Human Resource Unit, Corporate Staffing Unit or your Director.

In addition to contacting the State Co-ordinating Team on the number above, you should also contact the PSA at tafe-det@psa.asn.au to the attention of the organisers Irene Macbeth (DET) or Troy Wright (TAFE), or your local delegate.