KATHY Nicholson spent 10 years as access and education head teacher at Inverell TAFE campus prior to taking on her current job as an organiser for the Australian Education Union (AEU).
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She now exclusively represents New England TAFE teachers and has said there is a strong chance Inverell’s campus could be forced to close.
“This is really a result of Barry O’Farrell’s cuts to education which has resulted in them wanting to get rid of 800 TAFE teachers,” Ms Nicholson said.
“In a race to the bottom they are looking at replacing their existing teacher workforce with unqualified tutors and assessors.
“At this stage I can tell you that the New England Institute lost five per cent of their funding, which equates to about $2 million worth and ultimately that will mean loss of salary from campuses like Inverell.”
The government has offered a 2.5 percent wage rise as part of an enterprise agreement on which a ballot is due to be taken next week by TAFE teachers, but Ms Nicholson has said there is more to the agreement.
“Management are asking teachers to vote yes. It’s very interesting when management are asking teachers to vote for a pay rise,” Ms Nichloson said.
“They’re asking teachers to vote for a two and a half per cent pay rise as per State policy, however they’re asking teachers to agree to de-professionalise their workforce … if you de-professionalise the workforce the person who suffers is the student.”
However, TAFE NSW managing director, Pam Christie, said there is no intention to downgrade teachers or the great work they do.
“TAFE NSW wants to work with staff to enhance job opportunities and grow our business,” Ms Christie said.
“The union is opposing TAFE’s initiative through an expensive ‘vote no’ advertising campaign. Far from protecting teaching jobs, the AEU’s ‘no change’ approach will create the reverse situation.
“TAFE NSW wants to modernise its workforce through enterprise bargaining, so its services remain relevant to the needs of employers and students.”
Ms Christie said the proposed enterprise agreement … introduces new roles to support the important work of teachers and widen the breadth of TAFE services.
“The AEU is wrong and has lost touch with reality. Staff are being promised that if this negative approach succeeds, the union will then pursue an agreement that provides salary increases and locks in the number of teaching positions,” Ms Christie said.
“An example of the union’s failure to adapt approach occurred last month, when TAFE lost a major Defence training contract at Wagga Wagga, along with 114 jobs.”
Ms Nicholson however insisted there might be uncertainty in store for smaller campuses.