TAFE EB11 Bulletin No. 6, 17 May 2023 | Open PDF
QTU leadership continues to shape EB11 negotiations
The QTU has a proud history of standing up for the public provision of vocational education and training in Queensland. We recognise the calling of our members who are tutors, teachers, team leaders and more. The QTU knows the complex thinking and skill sets required by members of our calling to address challenges that are unique to our workplaces, which set our calling apart from other crafts, occupations, trades, undertakings, and vocations.
The QTU is best placed to represent educators in negotiations for a replacement agreement and we have been at every meeting of the single bargaining unit since the SBU formed in March.
- The QTU’s EB11 log of claims represents more than six months of dedicated consultation with members of our TAFE Division.
- Last weekend, more than 120 elected delegates to QTU State Council received an update on the QTU leadership that continues to shape EB11 negotiations.
- State Council next meets as part of our QTU Biennial Conference in June, immediately before the nominal expiry date of the current agreement, when the peace obligation period ends.
- On Monday night (15 May), the members of our QTU TAFE Executive provided instructions for the next phase of negotiations.
- Our QTU TAFE Council will provide further instructions to negotiators at its next meeting on 27 May.
The QTU will continue to provide member updates via weekly EB Bulletins and our Queensland Teachers’ Journal. Members can also visit our website at www.qtu.asn.au/tafe-eb11
QTU advocacy on the salary gap
The QTU continues to advocate for pay increases to reduce cost of living pressures. Previous Bulletins have reported on QTU actions in EB11 negotiations that have demonstrated the gap between the Government Wages Policy and our Union’s claim for TAFE Queensland to deliver salary increases across the life of the agreement that address cost of living pressures like historically high rates of inflation. At the most recent meeting, the QTU noted the inequity of Government Wages Policy within TAFE’s workforce.
The QTU insists that the state government’s current position – that TAFE services staff are eligible for a three per cent COLA payment this year, while TAFE educators are not – is unacceptable.
The QTU has been advised that our position has been communicated to the Queensland Government.
TAFE Queensland has 45 days to provide an acceptable offer in response to the QTU’s log of claims.
Celebrating TAFE with the AEU’s Life On Campus photography competitionMembers of the QTU receive complimentary membership of the Australian Education Union (AEU). The QTU and AEU know that one of the key differences between TAFE and for-profit RTOs is we are always student focused. QTU TAFE Division members are being asked to take two minutes to let their students know about the AEU Life On Campus photography competition. The competition is a part of the AEU’s #rebuildwithTAFE campaign, and it is open to all current students. The aim of the event is to raise the profile of the TAFE student experience, which thanks to the VET system’s focus on industry needs is often overlooked by policy makers. The competition is open now and entries close on Friday 9 June. Prizes:
To submit a photo, and for terms and conditions, students can visit www.aeufederal.org.au/photography-comp |
Authorised by:
Kate Ruttiman
General Secretary
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064