New Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, met with the CPSU NSW to discuss issues affecting members in the vocational-training provider.

The union was eager to discuss TAFE NSW’s refusal to award members backpay, claiming it only had authority to bargain until the end of October 2023. TAFE claimed all backpay from 18 September 2023 until the date the Enterprise Agreement comes into effect upon approval by the Fair Work Commission would be void.

The CPSU NSW had to contact the Deputy Premier’s office to voice its disappointment with TAFE NSW and have the position of the Deputy Premier restated to TAFE NSW.

CPSU NSW representatives also raised issues with the current outsourced security arrangements.

“A number of incidents have been reported to the CPSU NSW by members concerned about their safety and disciplinary action being taken against them for refusing to put themselves in harm’s way, or by refusing to do such tasks which they hold no legal qualification or training to undertake,” said Industrial Manager Julie-Ann Bond. “The CPSU NSW is concerned that TAFE NSW is issuing directions that are unreasonable and that may be unlawful to administrative staff, in an obvious and dangerous cost-cutting maneuver that places untrained staff at great risk.”

The CPSU NSW has recommended the current security contract not be renewed and the roles be returned internally to TAFE NSW.