BY CHRISTOPHER PERKINS
WOLLONGONG — Illawarra TAFE library unionists and their supporters staged two spirited demonstrations against job cuts and work casualisation on August 2. The NSW Labor minister for education, John Aquilina, was in the region for the TAFE student awards night. The unionists rejected an offer to meet with Aquilina which was conditional on the cancellation a planned demonstration outside the awards night.
NSW Public Service Association (PSA) members employed in TAFE Illawarra's 13 libraries took strike action on the day. A 60-strong demonstration took place outside the Illawarra institute office at midday. Protesters opposed library job cuts, the extension of casualisation and the reduction of library services, including severe restrictions on opening hours.
Representatives of the TAFE Teachers Association (TAFETA) and the PSA told the rally that all the members of these unions were committed to resisting the cuts, and working together against the offensive. Rob Long from TAFETA pointed out that Illawarra unions have a proud tradition of successful militancy.
NSW PSA president Sue Walsh received a chilly reception when she attempted to cancel the evening demonstration outside the Northbeach Novotel, where Aquilina was attending the awards night. Forced into taking a vote on the question, Walsh abstained, and the decision to proceed with the demonstration was carried unanimously.
The rally was also addressed by PSA Wollongong college workplace delegate Chris Pickering and South Coast Labour Council Secretary Arthur Rorris.
One hundred people attended the evening demonstration, including PSA, TAFETA and NSW Teachers Federation members, and a sizeable contingent of Socialist Alliance members.
Management applied to the Industrial Relations Commission to stop the strike. Although this was unsuccessful, the industrial relations commissioner recommended that the union's ban on the evening shift be lifted. Unionists have, however, decided to maintain the ban (which has been in place since July 16) until the dispute is resolved in a satisfactory manner. The union was also directed to hold discussions with management and reappear before the industrial relations commissioner on August 8.