Enterprise Bargaining - Teachers and Related Employees

Dear Colleagues

Today at our fourth bargaining session the TAFE NSW Bargaining Team presented a complete proposal for how TAFE NSW can continue to deliver quality education and succeed in a competitive training marketplace.

What was discussed?

TAFE NSW discussed the imperative to shift our workforce model in this Enterprise Agreement so that we can be more flexible, responsive and cost competitive. This will allow us to respond more quickly to business opportunities and help us to win more business.

We emphasised the importance of maintaining the high quality of education and training we deliver, while also retaining our share of the VET market. We discussed how this proposal will help us achieve this end by taking advantage of the TAFE Delivery Model and refocusing the way our existing staff work.

You can view the document tabled by clicking the link below:

• TAFE NSW Full Proposal

Who attended?

On 3 September 2015 bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation and nominated bargaining representatives.

What will happen next?

We look forward to discussing the proposal further at the next bargaining sessions on 16 and 17 September 2015.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

An important Enterprise Bargaining meeting update

Dear Colleagues

On 16 and 17 September at our fifth round of bargaining sessions the TAFE NSW Bargaining Team heard responses to the full proposal presented at the last meeting.

What was discussed?

We discussed the proposal further and TAFE NSW responded to questions raised by the unions and nominated representatives.

In response, TAFE NSW has prepared some Frequently Asked Questions – you can view them here.

Who attended?

Bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation and nominated bargaining representatives.

What will happen next?

We look forward to discussing the proposal further at the next bargaining sessions on 8 October 2015.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

On 8 and 16 October TAFE NSW, the union and nominated representatives met for our sixth round of bargaining for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2015.

What was discussed?

TAFE NSW presented more information around the trial scope for the proposed Trainer role. Key details from the paper include:

• Delivery trials involving Trainers will not exceed 30% of TAFE NSW's total delivery.
• Proposals to participate in the trial for Trainers will meet the following criteria:
  • the trial provides opportunities for TAFE NSW Institutes to grow overall delivery, and enrolments
  • the trial supports locally identified opportunities and innovations
  • the trial provides opportunities for improved learning outcomes for students
  • the trial includes the new roles working within a team including Teachers
  • the ratio of new Trainer role to Teachers does not, subject to any special considerations brought to the attention of and accepted by the JMC, exceed 1:2 within the faculty or business line for the Institute.

You can view the document tabled by TAFE NSW here.

TAFE NSW also responded to questions raised by the unions and nominated representatives. The TAFE NSW bargaining team:

• explained that in the TAFE Delivery Model the role of Part-time Teachers is the same as Teachers
• proposed the qualifications a Trainer would require to ensure the quality of education and training retained – you'll find the detail about this in the document linked above.

TAFE NSW looks forward to further discussions at the next meeting.

Who attended?

Bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the nominated bargaining representatives on 8 October and AEU NSW Teachers Federation on 16 October.

What will happen next?

We look forward to discussing the proposal further at the next bargaining sessions on 22 October 2015.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

We had our seventh round of bargaining sessions for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2015 on 22 October.

What was discussed?

At these meetings we discussed the TAFE NSW proposal further. The TAFE NSW bargaining team also answered questions about our proposal for a trial of the Trainer role.

TAFE NSW looks forward to further discussions at the next meeting.

Who attended?

Bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the nominated bargaining representatives and the AEU NSW Teachers Federation.

What will happen next?

The next bargaining session is on 5 November.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

On 5 November, TAFE NSW held the eighth round of bargaining for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2015.

What was discussed?

The TAFE NSW bargaining team responded to a range of questions about the proposal. All parties agreed on a timetable of future meetings.

Who attended?

Bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the nominated bargaining representatives and the AEU NSW Teachers Federation.

What will happen next?

The next bargaining session is on 12 November.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

On 12 November, TAFE NSW held the ninth round of bargaining for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2015.

What was discussed?

The TAFE NSW bargaining team and the union discussed the status of the current trial roles in the next enterprise agreement.

TAFE NSW looks forward to discussing this further at the next meeting.

Who attended?

Bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation.

What will happen next?

The next bargaining session is on 23 November.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

Coming into 2016 and with staff returning to work after the break I wish to provide an update about Enterprise Bargaining for the Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement. 

Enterprise Bargaining continues

TAFE NSW is currently negotiating with unions and self-nominated bargaining representatives to determine wages and conditions for teachers and related employees. Getting this right is absolutely crucial if we are to secure TAFE's future and jobs.

In a competitive training marketplace, we are facing the impact of competition from low-cost providers and demands from students and business for better services. The key to maintaining TAFE's market share and jobs for our people is our great brand, backed by dedicated staff and quality training.

TAFE is committed to working with staff to create a modern workplace, with a workforce that is flexible and responsive to our customers and upholds our reputation for quality. That's the way to win more work in the training marketplace and serve the communities who depend on us. Being flexible is important to attract and retain students who have the option to choose TAFE NSW as a quality provider, over other providers.

In negotiations, TAFE NSW has presented information on a proposal to meet these challenges. We are dealing with complex issues and we owe it to you to get it right.

It may take some time, but TAFE is committed to continuing to bargain in good faith to try to reach agreement with the unions and bargaining representatives. When these negotiations have been completed, you will be asked to vote on a new enterprise agreement. In the meantime, the existing enterprise agreement remains in force covering wages and conditions.

What will happen next?

On 8 February 2016, we will be meeting with the union and self-nominated employee representatives to progress negotiations for a new Enterprise Agreement and a pay rise for teachers and related employees. At this meeting, we will be focusing on a number of areas of common interest, submitted by the union, self-nominated representatives and TAFE NSW. I will be writing to you again after this meeting to let you know the progress of the negotiations.

If you have any questions please visit tafensw.edu.au/enterprise-bargaining or email EnterpriseBargaining2015@tafensw.edu.au

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

On 8 February, TAFE NSW held a meeting with the union and nominated bargaining representatives to discuss the Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement.

What was discussed?

The TAFE NSW bargaining team, the union and nominated representatives reviewed how the negotiations have been progressing to date and discussed meetings for 2016.

TAFE NSW is committed to bargaining in good faith until we have an enterprise agreement that will help TAFE to compete in a competitive VET environment and continue to deliver quality training.

What will happen next?

The next bargaining meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

Earlier today I attended a Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Bargaining meeting with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation and self-nominated representatives, the 14th meeting that has been held since the agreement expired last July.

After considerable discussion with employee representatives, it is likely you will shortly be asked to vote on a proposal which aims to strengthen TAFE and help secure jobs.

In the linked video message, I explain why I am urging you to vote 'Yes' when the time comes.

There is also a document which may answer your questions about the benefits of the current proposal, what is proposed to change and what won't change – click here to view.

If you have specific questions, I urge you to attend forums organised in your Institute, go to the website or email EnterpriseBargaining2015@tafensw.edu.au

Regards

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

This email contains important information about the employee ballot for the proposed TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement (the 'Agreement'), which will open on 5 May 2016.

Today, I am writing to advise you that:

• the 'Access Period' will begin from today (the access period is, in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009, the period in which employees have access to the terms of the Agreement to enable them to consider how they will vote); and
• the ballot will open at 12:01am on Thursday 5 May and close at 11:59pm on Tuesday 10 May 2015 (Ballot Period).

Who is eligible to vote?

All current teaching and related employees are eligible to vote.  Part time casual teachers must have worked in 2016 to be eligible to vote. 

How do I vote?

The ballot will be conducted by a company called CorpVote, which has expertise in managing independent and secure electronic and telephone voting processes.

Prior to the Ballot Period, all employees eligible to vote will receive an email from CorpVote at their work email address. This email will contain:

• your individual log in and password details;
• a link that will take you directly to the voting portal for the Agreement; and
• instructions on how to vote.

Employees who have notified us that they are on leave, will also receive voting information sent to their home address. This will contain the details on how to vote via the internet or telephone.   

During the Ballot Period, you can vote on your computer at work or at home or by telephone. If you want to vote on your computer at home you can send the email from CorpVote from your work email address to your home email address.

Where can I find more information?

Attached to this email are copies of:

• the proposed Agreement;
• a guide explaining the terms of the Agreement;
• Information from Corpvote on how to vote in the ballot.

Copies of these documents are also available below:

• TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016 (PDF)
• Your guide to the agreement (PDF)
• How to vote (PDF)

Regards and please stay safe,

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

I am writing to let you that know that the ballot for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016 has now closed.

The results were:

• 9% voted yes
• 91% voted no
• 54% of staff participated in the vote

This result means that the proposed Agreement will not proceed and that the current Agreement will continue in force until a new Agreement is approved.

TAFE NSW will continue to bargain with employee representatives in an effort to find an acceptable outcome to the challenges we face together:

• The ongoing viability of TAFE NSW
• Strong competition from other training providers in a crowded market
• More demands from students and business about how, when and where their training is provided
• The need to reform our Training Delivery Model to grow market share as the only sustainable way to secure jobs.

I want to thank everyone for asking questions and providing valuable feedback about the proposal. Throughout this process TAFE NSW has achieved a number of key objectives we set for enterprise bargaining:

• Maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with the union and our employees
• Being transparent, open and honest in communications with staff
• Increasing engagement with all TAFE NSW employees covered by this agreement.

What's next?

All parties involved in the negotiations will reconvene and recommence bargaining within 4 weeks. TAFE NSW will continue to bargain in good faith with the union and nominated representatives. Once agreement has been made any negotiated pay increase will be paid from that date, following approval by the Fair Work Commission.

Please visit the website to find out more, ask questions or provide feedback.

Regards and please stay safe,

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

On Friday 15 July TAFE NSW, the AEU NSW Teachers Federation and nominated employee representatives met to formally recommence bargaining for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016.

What was discussed?

• I outlined the One TAFE vision and our vision for the future so that we can move negotiations forward.
• The NSW Teachers Federation and bargaining representatives outlined their goals.

Who attended?

I attended two meetings with the TAFE NSW bargaining team, one with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation and one with the  self-nominated employee bargaining representatives.

What will happen next?

The next bargaining session is scheduled for the first week in August.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please visit the website.

Regards

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Team,

On 4 July 2016, I announced plans to support our organisation working together as one TAFE NSW. This strategy is essential given that we are now separated from the Department of Education and responds directly to the discussions I have had with Teachers from all over TAFE NSW.

I've found it extremely valuable to hear your ideas, suggestions and concerns about the issues we face together and I want to thank you for being so candid with me. Your feedback will continue to inform the one TAFE NSW strategy as we move forward.

Enterprise bargaining update

On 2 June 2016, I met with the AEU/NSW Teacher Federation to discuss the next steps to continue bargaining.

Also in June, the TAFE NSW bargaining team met with the nominated bargaining representatives to discuss the next round of negotiations for the Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement.

Getting this Enterprise Agreement right is a crucial step in ensuring TAFE NSW is in a position to grow and secure more jobs.

TAFE needs to:

• Ensure quality teaching and the student is at the centre of everything we do
• Provide students with year-round flexible, accessible service and remove barriers impeding improved productivity
• Be cost-competitive with other training organisations in an open market.

I wish to advise that Kerry Penton who is currently the Lead Negotiator will be returning to Riverina Institute in the coming weeks. I look forward to working directly with the parties during the next round of negotiations, and I will be supported by the People and Safety team for the negotiations.

What will happen next?

I want to keep negotiations moving, so the next bargaining meeting with the union and nominated representatives will be held on 15 July 2016.

Regards

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

Welcome back to the last term of what has been a very momentous year.

I wanted to let you know that last Friday 30 September, the TAFE NSW bargaining team and I met with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation to progress enterprise bargaining.

We discussed a number of areas within the agreement to help us move forward and finalise it. I'm confident we can work with the unions to negotiate a positive outcome in the near future.

If you are a member of the union, you'll soon receive a ballot to vote on proposed industrial action. Obviously we are all keen to minimise any impact on our students and industry partners. We ask you to support us over the next few weeks as we work hard behind-the-scenes to finalise the agreement.

We have set another formal meeting for 20 October. However, over the next week, we will continue to work with the NSW Teachers Federation to refine elements of the proposal.

I look forward to updating you after the meeting and working together to get a resolution as soon as possible.

If you have specific questions, go to the website or email EBupdate@tafensw.edu.au

Regards

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

As you are probably aware, TAFE NSW has been negotiating a new TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement since June 2015.

Recently TAFE NSW has become aware that the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) that was issued to employees in June 2015 contained a technical error.

To ensure that there is no uncertainty about the validity of the NERR or any potential delays in progressing a new agreement, TAFE NSW has decided to cease the current bargaining process so that a new process can commence as soon as possible.

Accordingly, I notify you that, with immediate effect, TAFE NSW is ceasing the current bargaining process for an enterprise agreement to replace the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013.

Shortly, you will receive two further emails from me. The first will notify you that TAFE NSW agrees to bargain afresh for an enterprise agreement that can be approved by the Fair Work Commission. The second will provide you with a new NERR.

If you have any questions about this process, contact peter.baxter11@tafensw.edu.au.

Kind regards and stay safe

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

I refer to my previous email to you notifying you that TAFE NSW had ceased the current bargaining process for an enterprise agreement to replace the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013. 

I now notify you that, with effect from the date of this email, TAFE NSW initiates a new bargaining process for an enterprise agreement to replace the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013.

TAFE NSW will shortly issue a Notice of Employee Representative Rights to all relevant employees.

If you have any questions about this process, contact peter.baxter11@tafensw.edu.au.

Kind regards and stay safe

Jon Black
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

I refer to my previous email to you notifying you that TAFE NSW was initiating a new bargaining process for an enterprise agreement to replace the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013. 

Attached is a copy of a Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR).  For this avoidance of any doubt, the NERR is contained in the attachment and this email is not part of the NERR. 

If you are an individual bargaining representative or have nominated someone to be your bargaining representative, you will need to re-nominate yourself or that other person.

The starting point for the new bargaining process will be the in-principle agreement reached with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation.

If you have any questions about this process, contact peter.baxter11@tafensw.edu.au.

Kind regards and stay safe

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday I sent you three emails about bargaining for a new Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement. This may have come as a surprise, given the joint communiqué with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation, so please let me explain.

The trigger for those emails was the discovery of a technical error, the inclusion of a TAFE NSW logo in the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) that was issued to employees in June 2015.

Issuing of the NERR is an important step in the process for making an enterprise agreement. If there are any irregularities in this process, the Fair Work Commission will not approve an enterprise agreement, even if it has been voted up by a majority of employees. This would mean a further delay of several months – an outcome I want to avoid.

That's why TAFE NSW decided to cease bargaining under the previous process, initiate bargaining under a new process and issue a new NERR – the three emails I sent to you yesterday.

What will happen next?

The starting point for the new bargaining process will be the in-principle agreement reached with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation, who are aware of the requirement to commence a new bargaining period.  

Under the Fair Work Act, the earliest date TAFE NSW can conduct a vote is 21 days after the date the new NERR was given to employees. TAFE NSW is committed to working with the bargaining representatives towards a positive result for Teachers and Related Employees and conducting a ballot as soon as the process permits.

If you have any questions about this process, contact EBupdate@tafensw.edu.au.

Kind regards and stay safe

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

This email contains important information about the employee ballot for the proposed TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016 (the 'Agreement'), which will open on 25 November 2016.

Today, I am writing to advise you that:

• the 'Access Period' will begin from Thursday 17 November 2016 (the access period is, in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009, the period in which employees have access to the terms of the Agreement); and
• the ballot will open at 12:01am on Friday 25 November 2016 and close at 11:59pm on Thursday 1 December 2016 ('Ballot Period').

Who is eligible to vote?

All current teaching and related employees are eligible to vote. 

How do I vote?

The ballot will be conducted by a company called CorpVote, which has expertise in managing independent and secure electronic and telephone voting processes.

Prior to the Ballot Period, all employees eligible to vote will receive an email from CorpVote at their work email address and/or personal email address. This email will contain:

• your individual log in and password details;
• a link that will take you directly to the voting portal for the Agreement; and
• instructions on how to vote.

Employees who have notified us that they are on leave, and have not provided us with a personal email address, will also receive voting information sent to their home address. This will contain the details on how to vote via the internet or telephone.

During the Ballot Period, you can vote on your computer at work or at home or by telephone. If you want to vote on your computer at home, you can send the email from CorpVote from your work email address to your home email address.

Where can I find more information?

Attached to this email are copies of:

• the proposed Agreement;
• a guide explaining the terms of the Agreement;
• a clause by clause summary of the terms of the Agreement;
• Information from Corpvote on how to vote in the ballot.

Copies of these documents are also available below:

• the proposed Agreement;
• a guide explaining the terms of the Agreement;
• a clause by clause summary of the terms of the Agreement;
• Information from Corpvote on how to vote in the ballot.

Regards and please stay safe,

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

Last week I announced the ballot result for the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016.

I am pleased to advise you the Agreement has been signed and submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval.

The Commission will now consider the Agreement to ensure that it meets the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).  I will contact you again once I know more about the timing for the approval of the Agreement.

If you have any questions about the process or the new agreement, please speak to your local People and Safety team or email EBupdate@tafensw.edu.au.

Regards and please stay safe,

Jon Black

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear team

I am pleased to let you know the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2016 (AG2016/7607) has been approved by the Fair Work Commission. The new Enterprise Agreement will 'operate' from 3 February 2017.

This is great news and I hope the pay increase will allow you to start 2017 with a focus on teaching our students. This result also helps the organisation to move forward with the many exciting One TAFE NSW initiatives.

A copy of the approved agreement is available here.

What's next?

The agreed 2.5% pay increase will be paid on 23 February 2017. This will include retrospective payments from the first full pay period after TAFE NSW reached agreement with the NSW Teachers Federation, i.e. 2 December 2016.

If you have any questions, please speak to your local People and Safety team.

Many thanks and please stay safe,

Jon Black
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

Dear Colleagues

TAFE NSW is about to commence negotiations for a new enterprise agreement for TAFE NSW staff covered by the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2013. The current agreement expires on 30 June 2015.

I have authorised Kerry Penton, Institute Director, Riverina Institute to lead the bargaining team on behalf of TAFE NSW. Other TAFE NSW members of the bargaining team include Christine Warrington (Hunter Institute), Richard Griffiths (Northern Sydney Institute), Christine Leetham (Sydney Institute), Ellen Scanlon (New England Institute) together with Mark Philip and the DEC IR team. 

Today I have also written to the Australian Education Union about the commencement of bargaining. You can find a copy of this letter on the website.

An important part of the enterprise bargaining process is your right to nominate a bargaining representative to participate in the negotiations on your behalf. There are three ways you can be represented during the negotiations:

• your union can represent you - if you are a member of a union that is entitled to represent you (for example, the AEU), your union will automatically be your bargaining representative for the agreement, unless you appoint another person as your representative, or revoke the union's status as your representative; or
• you can appoint a bargaining representative to represent you; or
• you can appoint yourself as a bargaining representative.

If you wish to nominate a bargaining representative to represent you during the negotiation process (including yourself), send an email to enterprisebargaining2015@tafensw.edu.au. The email must include your full name and electronic signature, along with details of the representative you seek to appoint. You can nominate a bargaining representative at any time during the bargaining process.

Further information is attached to this email about your rights to representation during the negotiation process. This is also available on the website. 

If you have any questions you can contact your local human resources manager. The Fair Work Commission website has very useful information about enterprise agreements at www.fwc.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/agreements or you can also call their Infoline on 1300 799 675.

I look forward to a productive engagement with all employees and their representatives, as we work together to build a successful, competitive and sustainable TAFE for the future.

Pam Christie 
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAFE NSW

A joint update from TAFE NSW and the AEU NSW Teachers Federation

Dear Colleagues,

On 21 July 2015 bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW and the AEU NSW Teachers Federation met to commence negotiations for the proposed TAFE NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2015.

What was discussed?

TAFE NSW and AEU NSW Teachers Federation acknowledged the current government policy context for negotiations.

Over the last two years the parties have been working together closely under the auspices of their Joint Management Committee in relation to the trialling of new staff roles. This cooperative approach has resulted in an independent evaluation that led to the continuation of the trial until 31 December 2015.

TAFE NSW and AEU NSW Teachers Federation expressed support for this cooperative approach to be carried through to the 2015 round of enterprise bargaining.

A number of bargaining matters were identified and addressed, including quantum of salary increases, duration of the proposed agreement, employment conditions and the current trial of staffing roles. The discussions turned largely on scoping and then clarifying matters, with more detailed negotiations anticipated in later rounds.

A schedule of meetings was arranged, extending into early September.

What will happen next?

Negotiations will continue at the next bargaining session which is scheduled for 5 August 2015.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please click the buttons on this page.

Any questions in relation to this email can be directed to TAFE NSW or AEU NSW Teachers Federation representatives.

Regards
Kerry Penton
DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

Dear Colleagues

I wanted to take this opportunity to give you an update following our second bargaining session for the TAFE NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement.

You may be aware that we have commenced bargaining and it is important that I provide you with some background and context to the discussions held so far in the bargaining sessions. Much of the discussions to date have centred around the changing VET environment and options for our workforce model moving forward.

Why change?

The VET environment has changed and TAFE NSW needs to change with it. We need:

• A diverse workforce that supports the ideas and insights needed for the future
• An agile workforce that can respond to the changing needs of our students and industry
• To be cost competitive in a highly competitive VET market
• An enterprise agreement that will create more job opportunities for the future.

To succeed in the changed VET environment we believe a number of reforms will be required.

What was discussed?

To date, TAFE NSW has tabled two presentations for discussion – you can view these here:

• TAFE NSW Presentation Part 1 – The TAFE NSW areas of interest
• TAFE NSW Presentation Part 1 – The VET Delivery Team

Who attended?

On 5 August 2015 bargaining representatives from TAFE NSW met with the AEU NSW Teachers Federation and nominated bargaining representatives.

What will happen next?

The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for 18 and 19 August 2015. At these sessions we look forward to discussing this aspect of TAFE's proposal further and other issues with the unions and nominated bargaining representatives.

Want to know more?

To find out more about enterprise agreements please view the Frequently Asked Questions or read this brochure. To provide feedback or ask your own questions please click the buttons on this page.

Regards

Kerry Penton

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT