5 August 2021 | DOWNLOAD PDF 

TO: CQU MEMBERS,

Since our last Newsflash, the Central Queensland University (CQU) single bargaining unit (SBU) has met as follows:

Since the last Newsflash, there has been a bit of “movement at the station”.

Combined TAFE Division branches vote on CQU separate vote proposal

CQU has offered a resolution to the AEU(Q)/QTU claim for a separate vote for VET educators. CQU’s suggested resolution was put to the AEU(Q)/QTU TAFE Executive in an extraordinary meeting on 19 July, and it was resolved to seek further clarifications from CQU and to put the matter to members in a joint CQU-wide meeting. The university returned the sought-after clarifications, and at the TAFE Executive meeting of 23 July it was decided to recommend to CQU members that the university’s resolution was acceptable and met the claim for a separate vote.

A joint meeting was duly held on Tuesday 27 July to discuss the matter. Officers of the Union reported on considerations, the issues were discussed, and members voted to accept the CQU resolution as satisfying the claim for a separate vote. CQU was notified of this outcome at the SBU meeting of 29 July.

Progress on AEU(Q)/QTU claims

To progress the other AEU(Q)/QTU claims, negotiators have commenced unpacking the claims and proposed clauses.

A series of clauses were proposed at the meeting of 15 July addressing reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. The AEU(Q)/QTU has proposed a pathway for existing professional educators who identify culturally as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to become VET educators through a supported mentorship program.

At the 22 July SBU meeting, the AEU(Q)/QTU presented proposals and associated claims re:

• the proposed foundation educator classification (CQU and AEU(Q)/QTU log of claim)
• classification restructure and salary parity
• ordinary hours of work.

At the 29 July SBU meeting:

• the AEU(Q)/QTU presented proposals and associated claims re: matters pertaining to the proposed foundation educator classification, including remuneration level were discussed further
• CQU responded re AEU(Q)/QTU Ordinary hours of work proposals including the professional time proposal, the programming dispute proposal, LVT progression and the LVT peer review panel proposal
• matters regarding parity and classification restructure were discussed.
   

Do you want your voice heard in the bargaining process?

We have said it before, and we will say it again. Joining your Union is the only way to have your voice heard in the negotiations for a new agreement. There is no substitute for real solidarity in a real union.

We have recently heard of some staff who belong to unions who are not party to the CQU agreement who think that they are covered in terms of their employment in CQU, particularly as VET educators. This is not necessarily the case.

Yes, every employee gets to vote on whether the final offer is accepted through an employer ballot of all staff. This is federal law. You get the opportunity to say if you like it or you don’t, simply by being an employee.

But if you want a voice in the negotiations, you need to be a part of a union or appoint a bargaining agent. The unions who are party to the agreement provide negotiators on behalf of their members as a part of the process.

The AEU(Q)/QTU provides special membership rates to some members of other unions so they can enjoy joint membership and coverage in all aspects of their professional life.

Joining your Union will ensure that your voice is heard. While the AEU(Q)/QTU only represents vocational educators in this negotiation, it is important that everybody has the opportunity to contribute to the discussion that is taking place right now.

You can find the union parties to the agreement at Clause 2.1 Coverage in the enterprise agreement.

If you are a vocational educator, you can join the AEU(Q)/QTU online or call our membership team on 07 3512 9000.

Date claimer: National TAFE Day, Wednesday 11 August

National TAFE Day is an Australia-wide event run by the AEU to celebrate all things TAFE. It is part of the ongoing #RebuildWithTAFE campaign. This year we are looking to share positive stories about TAFE and the power of vocational education to change lives. We want to demonstrate the important role TAFE plays in local communities.

We are asking members to identify positive stories from their institution. Examples might include a new course developed, a recent graduate who has found a local job or started a local business, or upgrades to buildings or new equipment.

We want to make sure that there is an interesting visual element to the story. Something that will look good in a photo in the local newspaper or in video footage on the local news.

If you have a good case study, can identify a successful current student or program, or have an innovative approach to learning and assessment, contact us to talk about getting the story out for National TAFE Day. It would be worthwhile talking to your managers in CQU to assist in producing something together. This is about the whole of the TAFE system and rebuilding our economy with and through TAFE providers.

Watch this space for further information about National TAFE Day events and ways you can participate in celebrating your TAFE institution.

Contact the AEU(Q)/QTU at tafe@qtu.asn.au if you have a TAFE story that needs to be told.

National #rebuildwithTAFE campaign

As a part of the great heritage of technical and further education in this country, CQU is the inheritor of the values of accessible and quality public provision. AEU(Q)/QTU is proud to support both TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity as the public providers of vocational education in this state.

CQU is TAFE. The Australian Education Union recently launched a new national campaign in support of publicly provided vocational education through the TAFE network. With hundreds of campuses all around the country, TAFE can help Australia rebuild in response to the COVID-19 crisis. In fact, TAFE is perfectly positioned to provide skills, jobs, purpose and opportunities to millions more Australians, and can help to create a positive future for all of us. But TAFE has suffered government funding cuts – so while right now is the time Australia needs TAFE more than ever before, it's also the time TAFE needs funding more than ever before.

Will you add your voice and ask the government to invest in a positive future for all of us? #rebuildwithTAFE

 Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064