TAFE staff say NO to Federal Government's Individual Contracts

The Union covering most non-teaching staff in TAFE NSW has today condemned the Federal Government's push for individual contracts across the TAFE sector.

The Public Service Association condemned today's offer to non-teaching TAFE staff of individual contracts as part of the Federal Government's 'Skilling Australia's Workforce' changes to the TAFE sector.

Public Service Association Assistant General Secretary Steve Turner said today,"TAFE and the NSW Department of Education and Training is being blackmailed by the Federal Government to offer individual contracts to all TAFE staff, or else $1.4 billion of badly needed Federal Government funding to TAFE will be withheld. Under the Federal Governments misnamed 'Skilling Australia's Workforce' these individual contracts must be offered from 1 July 2006."

Mr Turner said "Currently most non-teaching TAFE staff have their conditions of employment covered by a State Award that was negotiated collectively between the PSA and management. Neither TAFE nor its staff have asked for these individual contracts, nor do they want them."

Mr Turner continued "The Federal Government is aiming to undermine the collective strength and support that TAFE staff enjoy, and in the long run undermine the hardwon pay, conditions and rights of TAFE staff." Mr Turner concluded "The Public Service Association has advised TAFE nonteaching staff to reject the Federal Government's blackmail and to reject the individual contract offer."

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