YARN ISSN 1836-8549
JULY 2009
NATIONAL TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION − INDIGENOUS MEMBERS’ NEWSLETTER
2 – 4 June 2009
Brisbane Convention Centre
ACTU Congress was held from 2–4 June 2009 at the Brisbane Convention Centre, with an NTEU delegation including the Chair of the Indigenous Policy Committee and the National Indigenous Officer. Alongside other members of the ACTU Indigenous Committee, the NTEU Indigenous delegates worked to finalise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, as well as ensuring that all policy platforms incorporated Indigenous perspectives.
Unions > Delivering for all working Australians Register online from 20th April at > www.actu.asn.au/congress2009 Key themes > Future of work > Organising and campaigning > A fairer society
For discussion
> Indigenous workers > Workforce planning and development > Income security and workers’ capital > Tax and social security > Industry/growth campaigns > Environment policy > Responding to the GFC > And more…
Inside this issue:
> IR Legislation > Security of work > Wages and bargaining > Young people and unions > Community campaigns > OHS & workers’ compensation > Work and family > International campaigns
Special events > Fringe program > Welcome reception > Women’s lunch > Congress dinner
Enquiries & registration: Debbie Gower (Event Coordinator) 03 8676 7263 | 0417 451 560 dgower@actu.asn.au www.actu.asn.au/events/default.aspx
Exhibitors & sponsors: Jackie Kimpton (Sponsorship Coordinator) 03 9664 7383 jkimpton@actu.asn.au www.actu.asn.au/events/sponsorship.aspx
Making Indigenous issues core business for unions 1 > Welcome Reception
> Superannuation Breakfast
> Women’s Lunch
Sponsors include:
Making Indigenous issues core business for unions
> Congress
Dinner
Welcome from IPC Chair
1
Update on Collective Bargaining Indigenous claim
2
New IPC member: Bronwyn Fredericks 2 Batchelor financial problems raise rumours of merger with CDU
3
Member focus: Celeste Liddle
3
NTEU Membership form
4
Wider policy areas incorporating Indigenous perspectives include: ●● Security of work ●● Wages and Collective Bargaining ●● Decent Work agenda ●● Retirement, Income Security and Workers’ Capital ●● Work and Family ●● National Interest Expenditure Principles: Procurement ●● Environment and Climate Change ●● Health ●● Social Inclusion ●● Education. The ACTU policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is well structured and includes a strong critique on the Northern Territory Emergency Intervention and employment issues relating specifically to Indigenous workers. All suggested amendments to wider policies were agreed, in particular the amendments to the Retirement, Income Security and Workers’ Capital policy is of note. Terry Mason argued passionately and successfully for the inclusion of wording that seeks
a reduction in retirement age, early access to superannuation and Government retirement benefits for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. The election for the Indigenous member on the ACTU Executive and their proxy was held on the second day of Congress, with the nominees for these positions being elected with the support of all voting members of the ACTU Indigenous Committee. NTEU would like to congratulate Kara Touchie from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) on being elected to the ACTU Executive and Joanne Kerr from the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) on being elected as her proxy. ACTU Congress 2009 was very successful. Through the work of the members of the ACTU Indigenous Committee, Indigenous policy and perspectives are core business for all unions. Further information on ACTU Congress can be found at www.actu.asn.au
Welcome to the 3rd edition of Yarn Contact details National Indigenous Officer Adam Frogley.............afrogley@nteu.org.au Postal..........................NTEU National Office PO Box 1323, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Ph..........................................03 9254 1910 Fax.........................................03 9254 1915 Web............... www.nteu.org.au/indigenous
Since the last issue of Yarn, the IPC and the NTEU National Indigenous Unit have been busy with round five bargaining at a number of institutions, policy development and lobbying to achieve better outcomes for Indigenous academic and general staff. Indigenous Forum, the World Indigenous Peoples Conference: Education (WIPC:E 2008) and the EI Indigenous Seminar were a great success, with a number of important issues discussed and outcomes finalised. Of particular note was the motion tabled at Forum on Indigenous perspectives in the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) and NTEU participation on the Education International Ad-hoc Indigenous Committee. I hope you enjoy the 3rd edition of Yarn; I look forward to hearing your feedback. Cheers, Terry
Authorised by Grahame McCulloch, General Secretary, National Tertiary Education Union, PO Box 1323, South Melbourne VIC 3205
YARN
JULY 2009
PAGE 2
Update on Collective Bargaining Indigenous claim Our universities matter
INVESTING IN PEOPLE & SOCIETY
As the current round of collective bargaining continues across the country, NTEU has had success in achieving good outcomes in our Indigenous claims. These include securing a numerical/percentage target for Indigenous employment, a senior Indigenous appointment, instituting/advancing Indigenous employment committees, cultural and ceremonial leave and University wide Indigenous employment strategies. Despite the previous Government’s Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs) which had a detrimental effect on our Indigenous employment claim, NTEU has seen real commitment to Indigenous employment and retention from many institutions. The table below provides an overview of what has been achieved. The University of Ballarat, in particular, has shown leadership and commitment in achieving substantive improvements on advancing Indigenous employment.
Collective g Bargainin
an Together weercence make a diff
Overall, these bargaining outcomes are welcomed and provide effective measurable outcomes that give greater opportunities for current and future Indigenous staff members at these institutions, but the real work is only beginning. NTEU will continue to work to review the progress of the Indigenous employment strategies and targets that have resulted from this current round. We congratulate the bargaining teams and look forward to working with other Branches currently in the process of bargaining.
Institution
Target for Indigenous Employment
Indigenous Employment Strategy
Indigenous Employment Committee
Cultural/ Ceremonial Leave
Senior Indigenous Appointment/s
ANU
Yes – 2.2% of the ANU workforce by 31/12/2012
Yes
Yes
Yes – under accumulated leave arrangement
No
Ballarat
Yes – 7 appointments to 31/12/2009
Yes – Currently under review
Yes – as part of the Reconciliation Action Plan
Yes – 5 days paid and 10 days unpaid
No
CDU
Yes – equal to or exceeding the proportion of Indigenous students
Yes
Yes
Yes – 5 days paid and 10 days unpaid
Yes – Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous
UWA
Yes – Aspirational target only, in policy
Yes
Yes
Yes – 5 days paid
No
New IPC member Dr Bronwyn Fredericks National Indigenous Councillor NTEU National Office and members of the IPC welcome and congratulate Dr Bronwyn Fredericks on her appointment to the IPC and NTEU Research Committee. Bronwyn is an NHMRC Research Fellow with the International Public Health Unit in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University and the Centre for Clinical
YARN – NTEU INDIGENOUS MEMBERS’ NEWSLETTER
Research Excellence (CCRE) within the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC). Bronwyn has been actively engaged with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-controlled and community-based organisations for over 25 years. She has represented and advocated for Indigenous people, and worked with community organisations and governments at local, State and Federal levels. Bronwyn holds a Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) (BCAEKG); Bachelor of Education (QUT); Master of Education – Leadership and Management (QUT); Master of Education Studies (UTAS); Doctor of Philosophy – Health Science (CQU); and is a JP (Qual.) (Qld). Photo: Terri MacDonald
YARN
JULY 2009
PAGE 3
Batchelor’s financial problems raise rumours of CDU merger
Member focus
News regarding the financial status of Batchelor Institute in the Northern Territory have come to light, with the announcement that the Federal Government will undertake a forensic audit. There is further speculation that Batchelor and Charles Darwin University (CDU) are seeking to merge, resulting in the loss of Australia’s only higher education institution devoted specifically to Indigenous students. Recent articles in the Northern Territory News and The Australian discussed the financial issues and speculation on a merger between the two institutions. NTEU is of the understanding that the forensic audit of Batchelor will be undertaken by Ernst and Young with a view to revising Batchelor’s business model. Batchelor’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Tony Mordini stated in The Australian that ‘The audit will determine our aspirations; Batchelor in [the] last few years has aspired to
that [university] status. I am eager to see where the [Ernst and Young] audit says we should position ourselves regarding our business model.’ (HES, 27 May 2009) Over many years there have been talks of a merger between CDU and Batchelor with little success. Further discussions have taken place with the institutions resolved to continue to build a stronger collaboration. NTEU will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to our members at Batchelor Institute.
Above: Graduation ceremony at Batchelor. (Image courtesy Batchelor Institute)
VISIT OUR CAMPAIGN WEBSITE! www.ouruniversitiesmatter.com.au NEWS, ANAYLSIS, RESOURCES & COMMENTS
Celeste Liddle My name is Celeste Liddle. I am a proud Arrernte woman, and a proud member of NTEU, University of Melbourne Branch. I currently work at the Centre for Indigenous Education, University of Melbourne, as the Team Leader – Recruitment and Engagement. I believe that it is important for Indigenous higher education workers to join the Union as the Tertiary education system in this country has a lot to learn from us, and the union is integral in ensuring that pay and conditions of employment take into account the unique attributes that Indigenous workers bring to the higher education system, such as cultural knowledge, and experience. It is also important that Indigenous employees do not feel isolated, and that there are systems in place to deal with every day trials of Indigenous workers, such as racism and cultural responsibilities. I encourage all Indigenous NTEU members to get involved and provide feedback, as the retention of quality Indigenous staff is integral to the retention of our Indigenous students.
Our universities matter
INVESTING IN PEOPLE & SOCIETY
Read YARN as an online e-book or download a PDF at www.nteu.org.au/yarn Do you want to receive the Australian Universities’ Review, NTEU’s journal on higher education? NTEU members are entitled to a FREE subscription. Simply login to www.nteu.org.au and edit your Profile (in ‘Publications and Communication Preferences’), or email a request to aur@nteu.org.au.
YARN – NTEU INDIGENOUS MEMBERS’ NEWSLETTER
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hRS PER WK
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