Colleagues

As you are aware, salaries and employment conditions for TAFE Teachers in Victoria are currently prescribed in the Victorian TAFE Teaching Staff Multi-Employer Certified Agreement 2003 (*the MECA*).  Under the terms of the MECA there is no scope for variation to TAFE teacher salary and conditions prior to 1 September 2007.

The Victorian Government which provides the majority of funding for TAFE activities, requires that specific approval of a bargaining agenda be given before any negotiations for a new Agreement commence.  This approval was given on 21 August 2007 thereby enabling discussions with the Australian Education Union (*the AEU*) to commence.

The Victorian TAFE Association CEO Council representatives met with the AEU yesterday (22 August) to outline the Government approved management position for the proposed Multi Business Agreement (MBA).  A further two
meetings are scheduled for 30 August and 5 September 2007.

You will be kept informed of the progress of discussions.

Louise Palmer

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director TAFE