Greg Barclay elected unopposed to TAFE leadership role
03 June 2011
Greg Barclay, the winner of a famous court victory over the right of AEU reps to communicate with members, has been elected unopposed as AEU deputy vice president for TAFE and adult provision.
At close of nominations at midday today, there were no other candidates for the position of TAP deputy VP.
Greg has been acting deputy VP since February. News that Barclay's nomination had been uncontested was welcomed by AEU branch president Mary Bluett. "It's a very strong endorsement of the job he's being doing since he's been here. Now he can get on the job with confidence."
Greg said: "I'm really looking forward to the next 18 months and the work we've got to do in TAFE and disability services. We've got a casual conversion campaign to push ahead with in TAFE, and we've got to address the workload issue for TAFE teachers. We also need to begin work soon on developing a log of claims for 2012.
"We also need to keep the pressure on the Baillieu Government to fully fund the outcome of the equal pay case which is critical to our members in disability services. And there is still work to be done on making sure employers sign up to deliver the 3.25% pay rise that members were due under our memorandum of understanding."
Barclay hit headlines in February when he won a landmark case in the Federal Court against his employer, Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE.
In a majority decision, the court ruled that BRIT director Louise Harvey had contravened the Fair Work Act when she stood down Barclay over an email he sent to AEU members at the institute. Dr Harvey also initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Barclay had emailed members to remind them of their responsibilities not to create false documentation and to contact the union for advice if they felt pressured to do so. It followed concerns raised with Barclay by a number of members. The judges confirmed that the role of a union officer included "advising members on workplace issues ... and communicating with members about issues of interest or concern to them."
BRIT has sought leave to appeal over the verdict.
