TAFE Bulletin: News on a new minister, code red days and more

This bulletin contains information on the new minister for skills, warnings on demands to work excess hours, and advice on code red bushfire warning days.

Welcome back to work and Happy New Year to all TAFE Teachers. We hope that you all have had a relaxing break and now have plenty of energy for the challenging year ahead. We are looking forward to working with you throughout the year, and are planning to meet with each sub-branch as soon as possible.

A New Minister
You will have heard by now that Minister Jacinta Allan has been moved to another portfolio and that Bronwyn Pike is now the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation. The AEU has a meeting scheduled to discuss the Skills Reform with the new Minister. The TAFE4All campaign is continuing and we have sub-branch visits planned as part of the campaign. A review of the Skills Reform is scheduled for May. We are keen to hear from sub-branches about any issues students are having with enrolment costs.

National TAFE Annual General Meeting
Our first task for the year was to attend the AEU National TAFE Council AGM in the third week of January. The AEU Federal Office launched the 'Invest in Quality/Invest in TAFE' Campaign at the AGM. This federal campaign will be a major activity for the AEU during 2010. The purpose of this campaign is to coincide with the federal election and demand that government adequately fund the public TAFE system. An integral feature of this lobbying is to promote TAFE, emphasising the original purpose of TAFE: vocational education and training, further education, second chance opportunities and life long learning.

Workplans
We need to be vigilant regarding the 30 hours attendance, 42 weeks attendance and excess hours. These MBA conditions are often challenged by some managers. Remember you cannot be required to attend for more than 30 hours or 42 weeks. In relation to the new excess hours clause, (where you cannot unreasonably refuse to undertake excess hours) there must be consultation, negotiation and agreement between you and the employer if you are to complete excess hours. Excess hours cannot be arbitrarily imposed on you.

Bushfires and Other Severe Weather Events
Skills Victoria published Executive Memorandum 2010-02 on 8 January. The memo urges TAFE Institutes to amend their websites to incorporate a section on Bushfire Resources. Code Red (catastrophic) fire danger rating days pose particular issues. The AEU supports the closure of TAFE work locations in areas where the Code Red warning is issued and for paid leave to be available where staff cannot attend for duty. Our MBA (Clause 27) also provides paid Emergency Response Leave for any employee who is a member of an emergency services organisation and is required to attend an emergency.

Jo Fogarty
Vice President - TAP Sector

Mark Hyde
Deputy Vice President - TAP Sector