Western Sydney TAFE Class Support Review

Executive, 25 February 2008

Report adopted

Throughout 2007, the PSA was given information, through Institute Consultative Committee meetings, that the Institute intended to conduct a review of class support staff.

A consultant was employed to provide an "options paper", which the PSA was assured would be subject to consultation prior to its adoption.

In May, the PSA was advised that meetings were going to occur between class support staff and WSI management. The PSA asked to participate in these meetings but were provided the dates and times too late to attend. Many of the meetings had already occurred by the time we were notified.

The PSA was also informed that the consultant would present a paper to WSI in mid October and it would be provided to all parties involved. In November we were told that it would be presented to the TAFE Board of Management in mid-December then provided to a working party, which was to be created with participation of the PSA, Teachers' Federation, AWU and management. WSI committed to convening a meeting of the steering committee before 1 March 2008, but a date is yet to be set.

The PSA is aware that a document entitled "Class Support Review Research Project 2007"has recently been circulated by WSI. The PSA has not been provided with the document by WSI, was not consulted over its contents and does not accept that its findings are in the best interests of class support staff.

In the September 2007 Institute Consultative Committee meeting, the PSA raised concerns about the consultation processes that had occurred so far. We were given assurances from WSI that "consultation with unions, by way of a steering committee, will take place before any final decisions are made or changes implemented".

The PSA has recently written to WSI about the lack of involvement from the union to date, making a formal request for documentation and seeking a commitment from WSI to engage in proper consultation. A response has been requested by Friday 22 February 2008.

The PSA has begun to meet with class support members to gain their input about what should happen regarding class support staff, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks.