NSW: Teachers prepare for action

The Australian Education Union NSW Branch (to which all TAFE members of the NSW Teachers Federation automatically belong) has lodged an application with Fair Work Australia for a Protected Action Ballot of AEU TAFE members.

This application has been successful and, as a consequence, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will conduct a postal ballot of TAFE teachers and related employees who were employed by the TAFE Commission on the 19 January 2012 and who were also members of the Australian Education Union (NSW Branch). The ballot will determine if there is employee support for industrial action in pursuit of salary justice and an industrial agreement for TAFE teachers and related employees.

Due to the timing of these orders, part time casual teachers are not counted as employees as the 19 January fell within the TAFE vacation period, and subsequently will not participate in the ballot. However, part time casual TAFE teachers will still be able to participate in protected industrial action supported by the ballot.

Given that teachers in other sectors such as schools and corrective services are already receiving salary increases the Australian Education Union (NSW Branch) believed it was important that the ballot proceed without delay. Changes made by the O’Farrell Government to transfer TAFE teachers and related employees to the Fair Work Act means that there must be a ballot before protected industrial action can take place.