EB11 - TAFE teachers are the heart of great
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 2, 31 March 2023, page no. 21
Formal processes for a replacement certified agreement, and our TAFE EB11 campaign, commenced in March with receipt of a notification to commence bargaining, pursuant of s169 of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld).
In the same week, QTU TAFE Executive members received a report on the QTU TAFE Division’s Enterprise Bargaining Online Survey and how member responses to the survey had helped to shape a draft log of claims. The final log of claims was endorsed by QTU TAFE Council on 18 March.
Our online survey
More than one third of eligible members participated in our EB online survey, and representation from the regions is largely reflective of TAFE’s workforce. This supports the validity of the survey’s findings. We would like to thank Workplace Representatives who promoted the survey to members and all of our QTU members who took the time to engage in it.
The survey found that workload and industrial matters like hours of duty provisions were priority matters to be addressed in the replacement certified agreement. Specific issues that rated highest included:
- the urgent need to undertake succession planning for TAFE Queensland’s workforce
- an urgent review of the currency points system
- ensuring more time to focus on students, and less administration and compliance tasks
- a review of the education team leader position
- recognition of conditions (like class sizes) for the delivery of online/virtual/hybrid classes.
Consultation with members
Prior to the online survey, the QTU commenced a Listening Tour in September 2022 which included visits to all TAFE regions. In addition to face-to-face meetings, members from around the state contacted the QTU to contribute to the development of the log of claims.
The passion of TAFE educators was heard time and again, across diverse courses and throughout every region. Our Listening Tour heard our members’ stories, your stories. These were stories of TAFE teachers who are changing lives. Our Listening Tour left us with no doubt that great does happen in TAFE, because teachers are the heart of great.
Contributions from TAFE Division members or their branches shaped the online survey, which was open for two weeks in February.
Next steps in our QTU EB11 campaign
Now that QTU TAFE Council has endorsed the log of claims, the General Secretary will provide a written response to the notification to commence bargaining.
That correspondence will provide TAFE Queensland with the QTU’s log of claims, commit the QTU to adopting good faith bargaining protocols, pursuant of s173 of the Industrial Relations Act (Qld), and propose a meeting schedule.
In all likelihood, by the time this Journal is published, the QTU will have formally met with TAFE Queensland on at least two occasions.
For the latest updates on the EB campaign, members should look out for EB Bulletins, which are sent to your preferred email address, or visit the QTU webpage at https://www.qtu.asn.au/tafe