UPDATE NATIONAL
sions on the Union’s Indigenous claim have been progressing well, the issue of a binding numerical target remains under negotiation. The Branch has organised a number of members’ meetings around the negotiations and is communicating regularly with the membership on the progress of negotiations.
Bargaining out of the starting blocks
I
n an exciting start to the bargaining round, the first new Agreement has been reached, at Curtin University of Technology (see p.12 for a summary).
University of Sydney
University of New England
Bargaining meetings have been held regularly, but the University continues to show little interest in engaging in the process, insisting on seeing all the Union’s draft clauses before being able to respond. The University’s repeated position is that it believes most items proposed by NTEU are not appropriate for inclusion in the Agreement. The campaign committee is meeting fortnightly, and has coordinated a raft of bargaining publicity, as well as fortnightly Branch meetings for members focussing on specific issues. The first of these meetings was on the Union’s domestic violence claim, with an academic member explaining the background and the need for domestic violence leave. Other topics scheduled for discussion at these meetings before the end of 2012 include ‘Enterprise bargaining: where do I fit in?’, an analysis of the University’s finances, and an overview of progress made so far.
Bargaining meetings have been held fortnightly since May, with management serving its interim log on NTEU on 21 June. Management has indicated a desire for more ‘flexibility’ around fixed term contracts, the introduction of ‘teaching intensive roles’, and more streamlined misconduct and managing change processes. After serving an interim log of claims in May, our Branch has now served its final log, and will be meeting with management on 16 November to discuss resourcing and the bargaining timetable for general staff bargaining.
RMIT University Bargaining is now progressing intensively with meetings scheduled fortnightly. NTEU has drafted a full version of the Agreement including all the Union’s proposed claims, and has tabled this with management. The Branch has also achieved an excellent resourcing framework agreement, giving free access to the University email system and 40% time release for two NTEU bargainers. A Sarah Roberts, U’s Industrial support NTE Coordinator g in ain
aining Collective Barg
Respect. Recognition. Reward.
Central Queensland University The CQU Branch served its Log of Claims on management in late June, and has had a number of bargaining ‘lock ins’ since then. The Branch has reported good progress on most claims, particularly the Professional Staff claims and the Academic Workload claim. Although discus-
I barg campaign.
Download a ‘Respect.Recognition.Reward’ at Find out more g.org.au sitybargainin www.univer poster to display your support for NTEU bargaining: www.universitybargaining.org.au r say! EU to have you
ent – join NT
It’s your Agreem
Authorised by
Grahame McCulloch,
General Secretary,
National Tertiary
Education Union,
PO Box 1323, Sth
Melbourne VIC
u.org.au 3205 national@nte
www.nteu.org.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
VC signs White Ribbon Oath
T
his year, the University of Adelaide Branch Bluestocking Group have chosen to focus on the issue of Domestic Violence and its effect on the workplace. With this in mind, the Branch will be organising a number of morning teas and other activities around White Ribbon Day on 25 November to raise awareness about the issue and the campaign. People will also be asked to sign the White Ribbon Oath, which pledges never to commit or allow violence against women. The Branch is happy to report that Vice-Chancellor, Professor Warren Bebbington was the first person to sign the White Ribbon Oath. NTEU believes this issue should be an area of cooperation rather than confrontation, one where the Union and university management work in partnership. A Katherine Gale, Branch Organiser, University of Adelaide
NOVEMBER 2012 www.nteu.org.au
Top: Shelley Pezy and Ros Prosser, Bluestocking Group representatives, with VC Warren Bebbington Bottom: VC Bebbington signs the White Ribbon Oath
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