TAFE & DET workers take the cuts to ALP Conference tomorrow

Members of the Public Service Association who work in TAFE and the Department of Education and Training will tomorrow morning take their campaign against service and job cuts to the NSW ALP Annual Conference. They will greet delegates at the Sydney Town Hall steps from 8.30 am.

They will attempt to persuade delegates to support an increase in funding to TAFE & DET from Treasury. This year's budget increased funding by just 0.9% over last years expenditure. With inflation expected to be around 3% that means there is a cut in real terms of 2%.

The proposed restructure and cuts in DET & TAFE are a response to Treasury's budget cuts and are not a genuine attempt to improve education. In fact the cuts will diminish education as the positions to go assist teachers and learning.

Most of the job cuts, about 700, are prosped to be in corporate services. Details are still very sketchy, but we do know will include jobs in recruitment, payroll, information technology and properties.

Job losses have been announced in some other areas. These include (and this not an exhaustive list):

• Multicultural Programs Unit - 60% cut in staffing. This Unit's role includes developing anti-racism programs for schools and TAFE and providing support for English language programs for migrants and refugees.

• Industry Training Service Centres - Are facing a loss of 25% across the state. ITSC are responsible adult training programs and apprenticeships and trainees (this doesn't include the New Apprenticeship Centres that are federally funded)

• The Performing Arts Unit - Programs such as, Debating and ARTEXPRESS, state camps and ensembles in Dance, Drama, Choral and Instrumental music which are performed at State, National and International levels, including the Schools Spectacular, are now all under threat.

• Community Grants Program has been cut by 50%