We know that, over the past few weeks, some of the main concerns of CPSU NSW members at TAFE NSW has been the inconsistent messaging from TAFE NSW regarding working from home (WFH) and the availability of RATs.
WFH
The CPSU NSW has been working with your delegates to ensure that TAFE NSW considers the safety of employees before throwing the doors open to students returning to TAFE colleges. What has become very apparent in the last few weeks within colleges is confusion due to very poor communications on TAFE’s part regarding WFH arrangements. TAFE NSW is currently in the process of rectifying this at the request of your union.
The CPSU NSW’s position on staff returning to work is that there is a power imbalance between managers and employees and this means that our members are forced to go cap in hand to explain why they should WFH. TAFE NSW must ensure a safe workplace and your union will support you during this challenging time.
The CPSU NSW understands the position TAFE NSW is in; however, we also know that most of the problems TAFE NSW is now facing is as a direct result of years of restructures and staff cuts. The CPSU NSW’s advice is that if you feel you should be WFH, you should contact your union to support you when meeting managers (which you can do this via MT), stay home and remain working safely until it can be verified that you must be on campus.
The CPSU NSW will support members that are required to return to work because their absence from the workplace may pose a high risk of disruption to the delivery of critical services; however, if you have any COVID-like symptoms you should remain at home until such a time as you have consulted with your manager and obtained union support.
RATs
There seems to be poor communication and confusion as to who can obtain a RATs in the workplace. A number of members have reported that these are only available to frontline staff (i.e. teachers) – this is incorrect. All staff working on campus are able to obtain a RAT kit to take home and use if needed. If you feel unwell at work, go home and use the kit and advise your supervisor. RATs should be available at every TAFE NSW site. If any member has difficulty in obtaining a RATs test inform the WHS line and contact the union. The best use of the RATs is to take it home and subsequently contact TAFE NSW if you are positive.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the CPSU NSW. In the meantime, if you know of anybody who isn’t a union member but would like to join, they can join online here: https://cpsunsw.org.au/join/.
