Riverina union representatives have shared concerns that a restructure of the state's TAFE system could leave campuses without adequate daytime security staff.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It follows a dispute between the Public Service Association and TAFE NSW over the number of jobs likely to be lost from the Riverina.
While the union claims up to 15 Riverina-based positions will be changed, lost or moved, a spokesperson for TAFE NSW has said the final number of changes is yet to be decided upon.
The spokesperson has confirmed that "no teaching positions, or roles that support students in the classroom or with their studies" will be changed across the state.
Related:
Nicholas Wright, TAFE Union delegate for the Riverina, told The Daily Advertiser however he would be seeking further clarification on whether the security teams in Wagga, Griffith and Albury would be considered student-supporting roles.
"Those security guards provide a range of services, and it's the union's opinion that they're an essential, frontline service," Mr Wright said.
"If a security guard isn't a frontline worker, we don't know what is."
It is understood the restructuring of the security detail would fall under the review of facility management and logistics teams which TAFE NSW is currently undergoing.
The spokesperson said, "feedback will be taken into consideration for the final design" of the future facility management and logistics operations.
Mr Wright said it was his fear that the daytime security staff would be withdrawn from day-to-day duties on Wagga, Griffith and Albury campuses.
"We need to be able to call someone on the spot [because] we cannot anticipate when we are going to need a security guard throughout the day," Mr Wright said.
"You don't know when things will escalate and you need that security guard there in that moment."
In other news:
In a statement to The Daily Advertiser, the TAFE NSW spokesperson confirmed the sector's commitment to maintaining campus safety.
"TAFE NSW takes the safety and security of its staff and students seriously," the spokesperson said.
"Any changes will ensure that we have adequate security staff in place, when and where they are needed."
"The proposed structure allows us to flex up and down the security resources on any campus, based on the need to improve security for our staff and students."
While the spokesperson was able to confirm that "security personnel will continue to be located at TAFE NSW campuses across the state, including the Riverina", no further details were provided on whether that would include night staff and dayshift security teams in the future.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters