Tafe lecturers call for pay rise
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Union President Mike Keely wants an interim pay rise for lecturers. (ABC)
The State School Teachers' Union says the Education Department is trying to drive Tafe lecturers out of the industry.
The President of the Union, Mike Keely says the lecturers have not had a pay rise since January last year and pay negotiations have stalled in the Industrial Relations Commission.
He says the Department must give Tafe lecturers an interim payrise until the dispute is settled.
"They are going to attempt to deny us an interim payrise in the commission," he said.
"It's almost like for us the Department is desperate to alienate Tafe lecturers.
"Here we are in the middle off the biggest skills crisis we've ever had, and who solves the skills crisis, the Tafe System," he said.
The Education Department says it cannot offer an interim payrise while the arbitration process runs its course.
In a statement, the Department said the matter cannot be considered until the Government is sworn in.
The Department said TAFE lecturers are a valuable resource and it is 'ludicrous' to suggest that the Department wants to get rid of them.
It said the Industrial Relations Commission will hear the matter next month.
