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Enough is enough Changes coming as votes counted By LIAM DURKIN
Local police and educators are demanding better pay and conditions. Both sectors have joined the increasing list of industries under pressure to retain staff. Photographs: Katrina Brandon (protest) and Tom Hayes (police)
By TOM HAYES and KATRINA BRANDON
POLICE all over the state and local TAFE teachers are the latest to demonstrate their plight amid a seemingly growing list of occupations currently in the firing line. Victorian police officers demonstrating Protected Industrial Action (PIA) recently entered Phase 2, ramping up their efforts for increased wages. A small rally of TAFE teachers was also held in Morwell last week outside the office of Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, as the Australian Education Union (AEU) reports 71 per cent of TAFE teachers are considering leaving the profession. Like police, TAFE teachers are calling for better pay. The AEU estimates that from January next year, an experienced TAFE teacher will be paid almost $9000 less than a similarly experienced school teacher. AEU Gippsland Organiser, Jeff Gray said that TAFE teachers hadn’t had a pay rise in two years. “We are calling on Harriet Shing to put a lot more pressure on the state government and down on the Premier to dissolve a dispute by doing something about workload and putting a very significant pay deal on the table,” Mr Gray said. “Nothing has been offered to reduce the workload, and nothing has been offered for pay but three
per cent. The three per cent deal will keep TAFE teachers well below school teachers, probably $8-9000 annually. We have significant shortages across our TAFE and still have Australia’s lowest funded TAFE system.” Mr Gray told the Express that AEU members are currently disappointed and frustrated. He also said that one of the problems they are having is that TAFE loses teachers who go back on the tools or go back into the industry to make more money, putting more workload on other teachers. In response to the AEU, Ms Shing said she is constantly advocating for the community, including TAFE teachers who help workers learn new skills. “I am looking forward to meeting with our hardworking TAFE teachers and supporting the valuable work they do,” she said. “Recent discussions between the union and the TAFEs have been constructive, and we expect the union and the Victorian TAFE Association to reach an agreement soon. “The government encourages the parties to continue bargaining in good faith, to ensure the proposed agreement is within our wages policy - while delivering a fair outcome for our critically needed TAFE educators.” VICTORIA Police’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement was due to expire last year, and investigations began as to how conditions could
be improved for police officers. Once those proposals were made, negotiations began for the 2024 EBA. Victoria Police are asking for a six per cent annual pay rise over four years, with 8.5-hour shifts to allow time for members to ‘kit-up’ and ‘de-kit’ during their paid hours. A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to the Express regarding the state of the force and the PIA. “Basically, we are overworked and underpaid. The cost of living is going through the roof and what we’ve been offered isn’t even in line,” they said. Police unanimously voted ‘no’ to the first offer last month, which included a pay rise of four per cent over four years, triggering the implementation of Phase 2. “This is the first time ever that the majority vote has been a ‘no’, and they’ve had to go back to the drawing board,” the police officer added. The offer also included nine-hour shifts, which would include an extra day off every fortnight, however the reality was it would not be fully implemented for almost four years, and only if there were sufficient sworn members to facilitate it.
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WHO would have thought two of the tightest elections would be taking place 16,000km apart. While the race to the White House should be decided this week, the full make-up of just who will serve on the next Latrobe City Council is still to be determined. As they say, all good things must come to an end, and the end could be in sight for long time councillors Kellie O’Callaghan and Graeme Middlemiss. Cr O’Callaghan trailed challenger David Barnes in the Boola Boola Ward by nearly 10 per cent when the Express visited the Victorian Electoral Commission office in Moe to check progressive votes last Saturday. At time of print, Cr Middlemiss held a less than half-percent lead over Steph Morgan for the Yallourn Ward, in what is shaping as a classic vote between old and new. Current Mayor Darren Howe is also no lay down misère, holding a 53.15 to 46.85 lead over David Little for the Tyers Ward. Of the nine council vacancies, six (including Boola Boola) are all but secure, while another is already guaranteed. Current West Ward councillor Sharon Gibson has the guaranteed seat, having ran unopposed for the Newborough Ward. Her council colleagues Dale Harriman and Tracie Lund have attracted more than 50 per cent of the vote for the Loy Yang and Morwell River ward respectively. Joining them for the next four years will be Adele Pugsley, who has garnered more than 60 per cent of the vote in a two-horse race for the Moe Ward. Leanne Potter is also on the next council, having attracted nearly 70 per cent of the vote in the Budgeree Ward running against current councillor Melissa Ferguson. Ms Potter may feel vindicated having won the rematch, after narrowly losing to Cr Ferguson last time around. Cr Ferguson had initially stepped down from local politics, before making a last-ditch effort to run again. Voting closed last month, with official declaration ceremonies to be held from tomorrow (Thursday, November 7 to Friday, November 15).