News

TAFE NSW IBB Communication to Employees

The Interest-based bargaining committee (IBB) met at Ultimo TAFE on 7 August 2024 to commence bargaining for the new enterprise agreement.

The group comprised:

Flex time:

• The committee identified that:
  • employees had an interest in being able to accrue flex time and access their accrual to enable them to take time out of the workplace when they have a desire or need to do so;
  • there were some practical operational considerations that needed to be taken into account in the drafting of the clause.
• The committee reached in principle agreement on some practical changes to the current flex time clause that balances these interests and which are intended to better clarify and improve awareness about who can access flex time.
• The committee has agreed to work together in educating managers and employees about how flex time should be accrued and accessed.

Emergency management responsibilities:

• The committee discussed the important role that employees play in supporting TAFE’s emergency management response and that these responsibilities are usually in addition to an employee’s normal responsibilities.
• The committee acknowledged the high level responsibility involved in emergency management, particularly for employees taking on the role of chief wardens.
• The committee agreed that this was a matter that needed to be discussed further with a broader group of stakeholders at the IBCC, taking into account risk management, workforce planning and resourcing, training requirements and recognition of the responsibility involved in management of emergencies.

Personal leave evidentiary requirements:

• The committee considered that the current evidentiary requirements in relation to personal leave were too onerous, taking into account that some people may experience cost and difficulty in getting to health practitioners. It was agreed that the current agreement should be changed so that an absence in excess of 3 days would be the trigger for the requirement for evidence, rather than 2 days.

Life commitments, mental health, balance and wellbeing:

• The committee considered a potential category of leave to support employees with significant life commitments, mental health, balance and wellbeing, e.g. category of ‘Life Leave’.
• The committee considered the types of leave already available and are giving further thought to this concept.

Bargaining is continuing to progress positively and the parties will meet again on 5 September 2024 at Ultimo TAFE to continue bargaining.  It is intended that leave and pay related matters will be discussed at the next meeting with the aim of bringing bargaining closer to conclusion.