Conversion Success – Aug 2020 (PDF version)
Members may recall that in June 2019 the CPSU NSW lodged a dispute against TAFENSW in the Fair Work Commission for its failure to act on temporary and long-term casual conversion applications we had submitted in line with Clause 17 of the TAFE Commission of NSW Enterprise Agreement 2019.
As a result of this Fair Work dispute, TAFENSW was compelled convert several dozen temporary and casual members to permanent employment at the time.
All workers benefit from security of employment. This basic right is especially important in these uncertain economic times.
Since August last year your union representatives have met with TAFE Industrial Relations staff on a regular basis and have made more than 350 members permanent.
This wouldn’t have happened without an active and engaged membership.
We have had numerous reports that non-members are being stonewalled by management with their applications for conversion. A not insignificant number of staff have joined the union because of this.
If you have any non-member colleagues who may have in fact been converted to permanency, we ask that you please remind them that it was the strength of union who was collectively able to negotiate the inclusion Clause 17 in our Enterprise Agreement, which they benefitted from at no financial cost to themselves. They should seriously consider joining the movement.
Further, we encourage all employees to become members because in essence it is the union who fights for the annual pay rises which are carried onto all employees – this isn’t automatic despite what many believe.
Without a strong membership the employer would emboldened to withhold or otherwise resist the annual pay rise. This does of course happen in less unionised sectors.
Non-members who are presently being stonewalled by management over conversion applications are welcome to join, too.
We can help.
Not a member of the CPSU? Join the union HERE.
Industrial Officer
Matthew Drake-Brockman
South Region
Illawarra
Regina Kimmich
Chris Pickering
West Region
North Region
Sydney Region
Ultimo
Simon Gray
Dawn Davis
George Bissoli
Western Sydney Region
TAFE Digital
