PORT Macquarie TAFE teachers will strike over pay this week.
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The teachers will stop work for 24 hours tomorrow in state-wide industrial action coordinated by the NSW Teachers Federation.
Local federation organiser Wayne Webber said the dispute was over a new “WorkChoices-type” award for teachers that “basically values their work at less than $3 an hour”.
“It’s a 20 per cent increase in workload and it will see the loss of hundreds of casual and part-time positions from TAFE,” Mr Webber said.
The strike follows a NSW Industrial Relations Commission ruling last year that would require full-time TAFE teachers to work extra hours.
Mr Webber said the federation wanted to meet with the NSW Premier to discuss the decision.
“We had an undertaking from Premier Kristina Keneally on December 18 to a meeting sponsored by Unions NSW,” he said. “She promised that she would meet with the teachers federation with a view to settling the dispute.
“As yet she hasn’t met with us.”
The federation’s TAFE organiser for the north coast, Cathy Nicholson, said the disputed award would damage Port Macquarie.
She said some teachers from the Widderson St campus said they wanted to leave.
“I visited Port Macquarie the week before last and the teachers were very despondent,” she said.
“Our TAFE colleges are the glue that holds our communities together in the bush.
“Teachers are so demoralised. They feel as though they’ve been kicked.
“And teachers who have put 100 per cent into the Port Macquarie community feel like resigning.”
At the end of last year, several local teachers said morale was low.
“I think most people are angry and upset that we’re not being valued for what we do, and that we’re being asked to do more for the same,” said Jennifer Fahey, a full-time teacher.
“Those that aren’t actively looking forward and working towards retirement are so fed up with the whole system that if they can get out they’re getting out,” said Rex Davies, an electrotechnology teacher.
“The increase in hours that they want the full-timers to do will impact on my hours, a reduction in hours, and it just makes it tougher for part-time staff,” said Geoff Waterworth, a part-time Information Technology teacher.
The Teachers Federation has not ruled out further industrial action.
