Stop Work Action Widens

TAFE teachers to walk off the job.

Beginning tomorrow, TAFE teachers will join their Secondary College Colleagues in protest meetings against Tasmania Tomorrow.

Last night the TAFE Executive decided to broaden the AEU’s industrial action against Tasmania Tomorrow by asking its 600 members to attend regional stop work meetings scheduled for the north-west, Launceston and Hobart tomorrow, Friday and next Monday.

This decision has been precipitated by David Bartlett’s dishonoring his commitment to Elizabeth College teachers when he reneged on his promise that they would not have to join the PY10 structure until 2011.

“This was the last straw,” said Ross Dale, AEU TAFE Division President. “The TAFE Executive has been aware of TAFE members’ concerns about Tasmania Tomorrow. WE have tried to work within the system but the CEO’s and the Premier have not listened to us. Tasmania Tomorrow is failing students, industry and commerce. It is not achieving any of its three original goals. Student retention rates are decreasing. It is not addressing Tasmania’s skills shortages or the states productivity.

Tasmania Tomorrow has failed to provide adequate resourcing. Delivery team budgets have been cut by up to 30%.  Classes have been cut. Students have been unable to access some courses unable to access courses. There has been an exorbitant increase in course costs for Industry and Commerce. 

The TAFE Executive has asked all members to attend the stop work meeting in their regional area.

The times and places of the meetings are:

Northwest Region ( Hellyer and Devonport Campuses)
Where: Ulverstone Surf Club
When:  Thursday 29th October at 3.00pm

Northern Region (Launceston, Alanvale, Inverkress and Drysdale Campuses)
Where: St Albies Hall
When: Friday 30th October at 8.30am

Southern Region (Hobart, Clarence, Claremont, Bender Dive, Drysdale etc.)
Where: Scots Church Bathurst St)
When: Monday 2nd November at 3.00pm

Ross Dale
President TAFE Division – PY10
AEU, Tasmanian Branch