Public Service Association (PSA) is consulting with the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology(DFEEST) and TAFE SA over many issues and this brief is a summary of these matters. Feedback from members is essential to ensure members concerns can be addressed, please provide any comments to your Worksite Representative or Industrial Officer.

Learning Resource Centre Review(Library Review)
This review is nearing the end of Phase One. Members have had the opportunity to provide feedback to the LRC Committee on the Task Lists and J&P's prior to them being assessed and classified by an external consultant. The J&P's have been returned and another meeting is scheduled to discuss the results. It is important to remember that this review is not just about the classifications of J&P's but also the organisational structure and career opportunities available to TAFE SA Library members.

Skills Strategy Reform
DFEEST has stated that these reforms will be undertaken to ensure that DFEEST and TAFE SA are successful at tendering for the Federal Government's contestable funding. These reforms will, in most cases, come in the guise of a Review or Restructure of a business unit. For example the TAFE SA Marketing Unit, TAFE SA International Unit and the DFEEST Corporate Communications Units have commenced their Reviews. Human Resource Principles, which govern the process and protect workers rights, have been agreed for each of these units and initial meetings with in scope employees have taken place. The PSA is available to attend  meetings to discuss the ramifications of each of these reviews. The TAFE SA Network Secretariat review has recently been formally announced and the HR Principles agreed to. In all work groups HR will arrange to meet with all in scope  workers and have welcomed the PSA to attend any such meeting. Please contact your Industrial Officer should you wish to arrange a meeting.

The PSA will be advised of each review once it has been announced and consultation will then commence. Some units will not require a review to be undertaken. However, the PSA encourages members to contact the PSA should they have any questions. Meetings with DFEEST Executive representatives can be arranged should matters become urgent.
         
Trainee and Apprentices Services Review
This review was initiated by a new Act of Parliament. That Act removed the role of the Trainee and Apprentice Mediation Team. To commence the review HR Principles were agreed to. A new organisational structure has been developed and J&P's updated. Consultation continues and further discussions are needed to finalise this review.

Shared Business Services Reform
Members continue to raise concerns in relation to these reforms. Members have stated that workloads are becoming unreasonable due to functions remaining at TAFE SA campuses whilst the workers who undertook them were moved into Shared Business Services. The PSA has called for a meeting involving Worksite Representatives and the Director of Shared Business Services to raise concerns in detail and to receive an update of future reforms.

42 Week Contracts
PSA members provided feedback that overwhelmingly disagreed with the proposal of 42 Week contracts being offered without adequate compensation for losing entitlements. DFEEST/TAFE SA have provided a commitment that no existing employee will be forced or coerced into signing a 42 week contract. Consultation is continuing.

Consultation
It is vital that members are aware that any significant change requires the agency to enter into consultation with the workforce and the PSA. Should there be any changes announced in your area please contact the PSA to ensure that your Union is aware of the agency's proposal. This will ensure that the PSA can provide accurate advice to members.