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TAFE Admin Enterprise Agreement update

As you would be aware, your union has been in negotiations with TAFE in relation to the TAFE Commission of NSW Administrative, Support and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2022.

At the first meeting that was held between the parties, the CPSU NSW was advised TAFE was interested in a 12-month rollover Enterprise Agreement (EA) with a 2.53 per cent wage increase, as TAFE is bound by the NSW Public Sector Wages Policy. The union advised that we were happy to consider this as an option so that we could recommence bargaining next year without being bound by the Wages Policy, but that we wanted the flex agreement inserted into the EA.

After having participated in interest-based bargaining in the Fair Work Commission with TAFE, the union can advise that the following has been agreed:

• A 12-month EA will go out to a vote, which will see the parties back at the bargaining table in six months’ time, at which point the Wages Policy will hopefully no longer exist and we can ask for more than the maximum wages allowed by the Wages Policy (that being 2.53 per cent + superannuation)
• The maximum pay increase of 2.53 per cent + superannuation
• Wages to be backpaid to 18 September 2022
• The insertion of a flex agreement clause into the EA, so that it is enforceable and sits within the EA rather than outside of it
• In addition, all entitlements to be paid out to those who are exiting the organising or exited after 18 September due to redundancy will be paid out at the new rate (i.e. their current rate plus the 2.53 per cent increase), including Voluntary Redundancy payments.

The parties are in the process of exchanging letters which gives intent to the flex time clause and confirms that the pay increase will apply to those exiting the organisation due to redundancy. After this, the EA will be sent out to members for review before going to a vote.

Whilst it is not ideal, it is important to remember that:

1. we managed to get flex time into the EA, which is something that we’ve not managed to do before and have been fighting to get into the EA for over 12 years
2. that this is only a temporary solution, as we will be back at the bargaining table within 12 months to pursue the rest of our claims.

The union attempted to get a pay increase above that which is allowable under the Wages Policy, but the NSW Government is holding the line on this with respect to all workers covered by the Wages Policy.

The union will be on site next week to meet with members. You can access the schedule HERE. Meeting notices will be forthcoming, and they will include a Microsoft Teams link for those meetings that will be conducted via this manner.

Do you have any questions or feedback about the above? If so, please get in touch with the union by calling us on 1800 772 679.