Hunter-based NSW Teachers Federation members have vowed to fight for the future of their profession and their students.
Numerous locals from the region joined colleagues from metropolitan, regional and rural TAFE NSW colleges in a 24-hour strike on Wednesday 2 November in an attempt to secure a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).
It follows a fortnight of one-hour work stoppages at Hunter Street TAFE, Glendale TAFE, Muswellbrook TAFE and Hamilton TAFE.
Many of the frustrated staff protested outside the head office of TAFE NSW in Ultimo, while others voiced their concerns closer to home.
“The escalation of industrial action has been caused by the failure of the [Perrottet] government to negotiate a replacement TAFE Teachers EBA,” NSW Teachers Federation regional organiser Jack Galvin Waight said.
“Our TAFE members in the Hunter and across the state have simply been left with no alterative other than to do this.
“Delivering a real wage cut to TAFE teachers will just worsen the workload and attractiveness of the TAFE sector as a career option.
“Over the past decade, state government policies have deliberately run-down TAFE contributing to the skills crisis in NSW.”
In 2012, TAFE NSW employed more than 17,000 teachers and related education employees.
That number has declined to just 8,197 in 2022, according to Mr Galvin Waight.
“Removal of support staff has resulted in TAFE teacher administrative workload increasing, which has led to a many leaving the profession altogether,” he said.
“TAFE teacher salaries haven’t kept pace with the cost of living either.
“With inflation sitting at more than 6% and growing, the government’s pay offer to the TAFE sector represents a big cut.
“TAFE teachers rejected the NSW Government’s insulting EBA offer in August this year and are demanding negotiations on increased permanency, sustainable workloads and fair and just salary increases.”
Casualisation is the biggest issue for Hunter members.
There are now only about 20% of staff at Hamilton TAFE who are permanent.
“Our members are here today because the percentage of part-time teachers and the casualisation of the workforce within TAFE NSW has created a skill shortage,” Hamilton TAFE federation representative Vicki Field said.
“This has led to a workforce that is often unable to support their families with work uncertainty, while workloads have become unmanageable.
“If it wasn’t for the generosity of teachers working for nothing, to complete extra admin duties identified as compliance, students’ educational experience would be more impaired than it already is due to TAFE cuts.”
Mr Galvin Waight said the teachers have vowed to continue their campaign.
“They’re doing it for our students in the Hunter,” he explained.
“They deserve to be taught by the brightest and best in the industry and by teachers who have job certainty.”
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