BARGAINING
NEWS & CAMPAIGNS
WSU staff reject non-union Agreement In early August this year, staff at Western Sydney University (WSU) pathway provider, The College, overwhelmingly rejected university management’s offer for a new non-union Enterprise Agreement with 80% voting against this offer. Here is what a few delegates had to say.
BEN KELLEY, TEACHING & LEARNING COORDINATOR, ENGINEERING
At the end of the day, members have the power.
Member participation in bargaining is crucial because bargaining is a consultative process.
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Colleagues rejected management’s offer so strongly because they felt under-valued by the offer, which isn’t in line for cost of living for those living and working in Western Sydney, and it goes back to 2019. Despite all the additional work and effort staff had done in recent times to keep things working, it was a real slap in the face. Members were energised to speak out about the offer. At the end of the day, members have the power. It is essential bargaining represents the needs of members, because ultimately when push comes to shove, members have to be entirely supportive of the position taken and tell management when offers are not good enough. Which is what we saw here, members speaking clearly and loudly when management tries to push them, echoing that same position the bargaining representatives had been communicating.
Sentry
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AUGUST 2021
ZUIE HERVEY, ENGLISH TEACHER The pay offer has been resoundingly rejected due to the total lack of recognition of the dedication, unpaid work, stress, and many other challenges faced and overcome by College staff in ensuring the continuity of high-quality teaching and learning since the onset of the pandemic. In addition, it fails to acknowledge the very real cost of living increase in Sydney. Member participation in bargaining is crucial because bargaining is a consultative process. It begins with consultation in compiling the log of claims, and should continue with checks that the membership is being represented as negotiations develop. Importantly, whatever is agreed upon will be the lived reality of members, so it is imperative that they are participants in informed decision making.
