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CPSU NSW update: TAFE NSW Update

  15 May 2023

Interest Based Bargaining Committee

The CPSU NSW and Delegates Council (DC) met on 3 March 2023 to continue with Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) discussions.

It has been recommended that the CPSU NSW DC and Industrial staff, along with TAFE NSW undergo further IBB training with the Commission ahead of scheduling the next meeting of the IBBC.

Grievances

The TAFE NSW has released a Pulse Survey to all employees. The CPSU NSW encourages all members to respond noting grievances where they can, to bring to the attention of the TAFE NSW.

Do not hold back on the survey – your opinion is important and respected! The survey is anonymous and confidential.

Each employee has been sent a unique link to the survey in an email.

The survey closes 19 May 2023 at 5pm.

Flex vs RDOs

Recently the CPSU NSW visited several colleges and engaged with staff. Whilst undertaking the visits staff main concerns were Flex time and Security.

Staff pointed out that they also didn’t fill out time sheets which is of a great concern. The question for members is are you a day worker working to the Flexible Working Hours Agreement (FWHA) or are you working on a roster where you accrue RDOs?

You can be one or the other.

The Union’s position is – it is unreasonable and goes against the spirit of the idea of flexible work, for a given manager to impose standard hours (i.e. 7-hour days) on a workplace unit and deny workers the opportunity to accrue flexitime.

This has been happening occasionally – when it shouldn’t.

It should be, in the first instance, a conversation between you and your manager/supervisor with the aim of exploring options and reaching “mutual agreement” as to how you can work and accrue (and take) flex – taking into consideration your workload and TAFE’s operational requirements.

A union representative is also entitled to be involved in these conversations, if necessary.

If the end result is that flex cannot be accrued and standard hours prevail – then, in the alternative, please be advised that it is your right, in accordance with the TAFE Administrative, Support and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2019, to be classified as a rostered worker.

Clause 41.3 of the EA reads:

An employee who is rostered over a twelve week period shall be entitled to three rostered days off over the work cycle. A rostered employee may defer the taking of a rostered day off to a later date where agreed, where operational requirements permit.

If you are experiencing difficulty with taking flexitime or RDOs, however you would like to – contact your union on 1800 772 679 or union delegates listed below.

Community and Public Sector Union (NSW Branch)

Nicholas Wright – Chair

Liz Garlick – Vice Chair

Steve O’Brian – Secretary

Deanne Hill – Vice Secretary

David Prowse – DC Delegate

Bradford Cowie – DC Delegate

Leanne Riley – DC Delegate

Suzie Stiles – DC Delegate

Gale Iseppi – DC Delegate

Graham Avery – DC Delegate

Steve Lyons – DC Delegate

Brook Downs – DC Delegate

Simon Gray – DC Delegate

Ellen Hrebuniuk – DC Delegate

Alexandra Luxford – DC Delegate

Joe Harris – DC Delegate

Frank Dunn – DC Delegate

Melanie Thompson – DC Delegate

Tracey Doyle – DC Delegate

Shane Jobberns – Organiser

Vivette Horrex – Organiser

Alex Sala – Organiser

Melanie Coombs – Organiser

Michael Cope – Industrial Officer