Thursday, February 11, 2010

NSW TAFE: thousands strike

NSW Teachers Federation 11 February 2010


A packed meeting of over 3000 striking TAFE teachers at Sydney Town Hall today unanimously declared their willingness to continue industrial action in support of their campaign against the state government's attempt to introduce WorkChoices style changes to their working conditions.

Representatives of many other unions also attended the rally. Mark Lennon, Secretary of Unions NSW addressed the rally, providing support from the wider union movement. He said NSW workers, no matter who they are "are sick and tired of being told that in order to get pay increases, they have to find savings."

NSW Teachers Federation President, Bob Lipscombe said:

The NSW Labor Government has attacked the delivery of quality TAFE education and sought to undermine the working conditions of TAFE teachers by seeking to implement WorkChoices style changes to their working conditions.

These attempted changes include
  • A 20% increase in workload in return for an average 1.5% salary increase
  • Being paid less for an hour's work today than they were last year
  • Additional teaching and attendance hours
  • Not being paid for overtime worked for six months or more
"The Premier made a commitment on 18 December last year to continue discussions. We call on the Premier to honour this promise - to meet with the Federation to resolve this dispute."

"TAFE teachers have vowed to continue the political campaign, and are prepared to take further industrial action in support of the campaign."

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