Teachers at Moss Vale TAFE could follow the lead of their colleagues at Goulburn by taking stop-work action in protest at cutbacks to technical assistance hours.
Fully supportive of their colleagues at Goulburn TAFE who were taking stop-work action yesterday in support of their students' learning conditions, Moss Vale teachers are said to be monitoring developments in Goulburn closely and will meet again next Wednesday to consider their response.
Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton has also backed the teachers' cause, saying classes at Moss Vale TAFE are being undermined by the cutbacks.
Ms Seaton said a number of students and supporters of Moss Vale TAFE had contacted her concerned about cutbacks to technical assistance hours in the art department. She said the students raised concerns that due to the cutbacks, technical staff were experiencing an added workload while the students themselves were being disadvantaged.
"There is a great deal of concern about how the process for the review of TAFE technical assistance hours was conducted," Ms Seaton said.
"Apparently staff received a message on a Monday calling for input into the review by the middle of the same week for a process that was to be implemented the following week.
"There are concerns the formula used is based on a flawed assumption derived from a staffing formula of several years ago which is no longer relevant."
Ms Seaton said there were currently about 170 art students at Moss Vale TAFE but reductions in technical assistance hours may result in limits to new student numbers, or even threats to existing numbers.
"I have been told the cutbacks are already affecting basic functions, such as ordering necessary items for the department," she said. "If this isn't done students are unable to continue in their medium.
"This is a great concern to supporters who are concerned educational services delivered via TAFE are being undermined by cutbacks."
Teachers spokesperson Peter de Graaff said support for these students had been cut by 50 per cent and were now at historically low levels. He said teachers at Moss Vale had called on the district operations manager for the Southern Highlands Craig Fowler to take up the issue and ensure students were getting a fair deal.
"They should be able to complete their courses with the same support that other students in the Illawarra were getting," Mr de Graaff said.
Negotiations took place with TAFE management yesterday although Mr de Graaff said there "was still some way to go before a satisfactory resolution was reached" and refused to rule out further industrial action next week at Moss Vale.
In response, Mr Fowler said there had been "a perceived reduction" in support staff hours among teachers before confirming that Moss Vale TAFE has seen its hours reduced from 20 hours a week to 16.
"We had some more discussions today and I'm certainly very hopeful we can reach some agreement with the teachers," Mr Fowler said. "Certainly, any reduction in hours would have some impact on students."
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