BY CHRISTOPHER PERKINS
WOLLONGONG — Teachers and library staff at TAFE's Illawarra Institute of Technology are taking action against attacks which have flowed from repeated budget cuts by the NSW Labor government.
TAFE library staff, members of the NSW Public Service Association, voted unanimously on January 30 to bans work that would have been carried out by five workers whose jobs have been recently cut.
In another petty cost-cutting measure, TAFE Illawarra management had declared that no TAFE library can open after 6pm. This affected a sizeable number of TAFE students who work during the day.
After library staff argued that this was ridiculous and discriminatory, management responded by directing TAFE libraries to remain open at least two evenings a week, but demanded that funds to pay the staff's shift allowances be taken from the libraries' other budget allocations. Staff voted to ban evening shifts under such a condition. Library staff will consider escalating their industrial action if they are not satisfied with the management's response.
Teachers are also on the warpath following the decision of NSW education minister John Aquilina and the Illawarra Institute management to close the Shellharbour TAFE Engineering Training Centre and transfer its operations to an inferior location at Wollongong TAFE college.
The Shellharbour centre is recognised as one of the best in the state and student places there have been in high demand, so much so that continuous overtime and even secondments from other institutions have been required. If the closure occurs, there would be no electrical, fitting, welding or metal fabrication courses taught in Shellharbour.
TAFE teachers argue that the region's population is expanding and the local community has the right to access this educational resource. The teachers have also noted the strong possibility that management will transfer staff to Wollongong.
Shellharbour teachers on January 31 banned the use of the Engineering Training Centre building for any other purpose. The South Coast Labor Council has also announced comprehensive bans on the building, including on movement of anything in or out.
Teachers are considering further industrial action and have established a picket line at Shellharbour TAFE to distribute information about the issue. Library staff and teachers have declared their solidarity for each other's struggles. As a senior TAFE Teachers Association delegate declared, "We have drawn a line in the sand".