Joint meetings, rallies, etc with teachers

Last Friday senior PSA officers met with senior Teachers Federation officers over the TAFE/DET cuts. It was a very positive meeting.

Those in attendance were:
Maree O'Halloran, TF President,
Barry Johnson, TF General Secretary
Angelo Gavrielatos, TF Snr Vice President
Linda Simon, TAFETA Secretary
Sue Walsh, PSA President
Maurie O'Sullivan, PSA General Secretary
Greg Shaw, PSA Snr Industrial Officer
Sally McManus, PSA Industrial Officer.

The main points the Teachers made were:

• No cuts to administrative and support services
• No job cuts
• No money cuts
• No amalgamation of TAFE - it must keep a distinct identity.

The recognize that the loss of administrative and support jobs means less service for their members and the general school and TAFE communities, and probably more non-teaching work for their members. They say they need MORE admin & support services, not less.

They were also strongly critical of the sharp rises in TAFE fees which will lower demand for TAFE courses. And they are concerned that a number of initiatives promised during the election and announced in the budget are under-funded.

It was agreed the PSA & NSWTF will work closely on the campaign to STOP THE CUTS. And we would spread the campaign into the community, with particular emphasis on the regional impact.

There will be joint meetings and other activities. Delegates can make arrangements locally or through the union officers.

It was agreed that the NSWTF campaign for pay rises would not be dealt with at the joint meetings - the teachers would have pay meetings before or after the jobs & services meetings or at some other time.

At meetings where joint arrangements have not been made, teachers are welcome to attend PSA briefings, etc.