By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
CHISHOLM Institute teachers have been called to take unprotected 24-hour strike action tomorrow amid claims they may be pushed into lower pay and conditions.
The strike, in response to a $300 million funding cut to TAFEs, will include a rally in Treasury Gardens at noon.
Greg Barclay, the Australian Education Union deputy vice-president for TAFEs, says a leaked state government cabinet report reveals Chisholm’s plans to ‘‘align’’ teachers’ conditions with the lower-paying Educational Services (Post-Secondary) Modern Award.
The move could mean top-ranked teachers take a pay cut from about $79,500 to about $50,950, and their annual teaching hours could soar from 800 to 1100, Mr Barclay said.
Mr Barclay also fears Chisholm’s plans to include ‘‘instructors’’ could lead to teachers being replaced by lower-paid and less qualified staff.
Teachers may also have to work late hours without penalty rates under the award, he said.
‘‘Our concerns is that Chisholm is intent on moving from the multi-business agreement that applies to all TAFE teachers onto this award.’’
He said staff were being asked to volunteer for redundancies last week without being told the full story.
‘‘That’s the most appalling part of it. The institute is not coming forward with all of their plans and people can’t make an informed decision.
‘‘Most people don’t want to go so they are not volunteering at this stage. People are working as hard as they can and they hope they get a job.’’
Chisholm management and the union are still in negotiations over the next enterprise bargaining agreement.
Chisholm Insitute was contacted on Monday for comment, but has not responded to the claims.
Also in the report, Chisholm stated it would axe 251 full-time equivalent positions, including 179 redundancies in 2012 and 2013. The others included casual staff and redundancies early this year.
Chisholm also forecasted 1500 less students and 70 per cent higher total tuition fees next year.
The report stated the institute would seek $10.7 million from the state government as it faces a forecast operating deficit of $2.5 million next year.
It forecast a growth in courses such as community services, health, construction trades and telecommunications, but cuts to the business services, culture, recreation and retail sectors.
