Tasmanian Division
Welcome to the Tasmanian Division webpage, read about the people who organise it, latest news, current issues, and the benefits of membership.
The National Tertiary Education Union represents General and Academic Staff at the University of Tasmania The Union is a party to the bargaining agreements that cover all General, Academic and English Language Centre Staff, and offers advice to members about pay and conditions. The union is active in pursuing professional and intellectual issues in higher education, as well as protecting the rights and interests of its members.
- Enterprise Bargaining 2008
- Latest News
- Tasmanian Division Council
- Issues
- Education Faculty Workloads Dispute
- Meetings/Events
- Division Calendar
- North and South Tasmanian Division Newsletter
- e-bulletins
- Join the NTEU
- Links
- Australian Maritime College
- Contact us
- Statement of accounts 2006
Enterprise Bargaining 2008
UTAS management drags the
chain on bargaining
In recent discussions between the Union and management, UTAS has indicated that they do not want a bargaining agreement in place until 2010.
The bargaining agreements that cover UTAS general staff, academic staff and English Language Centre all expired on June 30, 2008. The conditions that are contained in those agreements will be maintained until a new agreement is negotiated between the NTEU and the University. The NTEU is seeking a single agreement to improve conditions for all staff.
The go-slow tactic by University management is a weak attempt to try to hold onto draconian conditions, (HEWRRs) that were brought in by the Howard Government. The University believes that it can placate its workforce by not negotiating with the Union and giving very modest pay increases every year by the way of administrative payments. In other words. “A few pennies thrown out of the Chancellory window to calm the masses”.
The NTEU is seeking a new era of good faith bargaining negotiations. Our bargaining team is keen to sit down with management to work through an agreement that delivers good pay increases for all staff and improves the conditions of casual, contract and research staff. At the same time we understand that University management will have claims and issues that they believe should be included in any new agreement.
The University HR Department appears to be driving the idealogy of an old fashioned approach to industrial relations. It shouldn’t hang on to the past and fall into bad industrial relations practices. It has an opportunity to begin a new era of working with the NTEU to make UTAS an employer of choice.
By the middle of next year, the Federal Government will introduce legislation to ensure that the parties to a bargaining agreement need to negotiate in good faith. There will be a number of tests to ensure that good faith bargaining occurs. The challenge to UTAS is, why not come to the table now and work with the NTEU to develop a good agreement for all staff? Why wait for the legislation to bargain in good faith?
UTAS has an opportunity to develop a progressive agreement that assists in family flexibility, better pay, and employment security for all staff. Why do we have to wait to see what develops on the mainland? It’s time to come to the table.
| Our Log of Claims | The log of claims was served on the Vice Chancellor on 30 May 2008. |
Latest News
UTAS Joint Consultative Committee (Academic)
A meeting of the UTAS JCC (Academic) was held on Friday 19 December 2008 to discuss a Workplace Change Proposal for the School of English, Journalism and European Languages.
The following information relates to the meeting;
- The consultation period about the proposed change was extended several times.
- A decision on the change proposal has not been made yet.
- Staff representatives Kelvin Michael and Andrew Fluck expressed disappointment that Professor Ralph Crane was not at the meeting to clarify ambiguities within the proposal.
- Student involvement in workplace change proposal: It was suggested that barring students representatives from consultation meetings has had a negative effect upon the process. The JCC was divided on the involvment of the TUU and/or UTAS Teaching and Learning Committee during the early stage of workplace change proposals
- 2009 enrollments in Medieval Studies units will be honoured as no decision on the proposed workplace change has been made. If the ultimate decision is made t discontinue the units, students will be counselled into alternatives.
- It was suggested that the number of Schools budgeting more than 90% of their expenditure for profile staff in 2009 be identified through the UTAS Budget Committee.
- Subsequent to the JCC receiving this information, such Schools may be asked if they will be considering a Change Management Process.
For any additional information please contact the Division Office.
| Bradley Report Division Advice to Members | Keep up with the latest advice about the Bradley Review |
| Our universities matter campaign | Sign the petition today |
| Statement of Accounts 2006 | A statement of Accounts for the NTEU Tasmanian Division is now available for members. Attached is a summary of the accounts for 2006. Futher information can be supplied upon application to the Division Secretry Dr. Tom Dunning. |
Tasmanian Division Council
The Tasmanian Division Council meets regularly - once a month or more frequently as required - to manage the Division’s affairs.
| Tasmanian Division Council | Meet the Council members. |
Issues
The Faculty of Arts will be examining how administrative support is provided to budget centres within the faculty at both Hobart and Launceston campuses because of 'significant budget constraints'.
The NTEU questions the need for any restructure based purely on budget claw backs, particularly when the university's overall financial position is so strong.
Management will shortly commence 'discussions' with staff with a view to presenting a final written proposal regarding changes to staff at the end of July or early August.
The NTEU is seeking your views regarding any changes to your workplace and we are available to meet with members either collectively or individually either on or off campus.
Remember that for consultation to be effective, participants have to be part of the decision making process, not only in appreance but in fact.
| University's committment to General staff | |
| Union Aid Abroad | APHEDA |
| National Issues | Issues of interest affecting Higher Education staff across the country |
Education Faculty Workloads Dispute
On 30 June 2008,at the Supreme Court in Launceston, UTAS management met with the NTEU for dispute conciliation before Commissioner Whelan. The NTEU put up a strong and robust case that members would be proud of. Matters discussed included the 75/39 hours teaching preparation allowance; planning for the 40%-40%-20% teaching-research-other aspirational goal; identifying overwork; progression for early career academics; and the process for review of the current academic workload model.
Through the conciliation process we understand that agreement was achieved with management as follows:
1. Personal work overloads
This is an individual matter to be dealt with by the Faculty of Education workload allocation review committee (FEWARC). Management stated they were concerned about the potential impact of overwork on staff. They encourage staff that felt overloaded to apply for consideration to FEWARC. The union can and will support any member through this process. The Dean has undertaken to identify any additional performance management guidelines that can help clarify workload calculations.
2a. Workload model review panel
The current process underway will be scrapped. A new Workload Model Review Panel will be formed with equally balanced management and staff representation (three performance managers and three elected staff members). The NTEU is free to nominate representatives for election. This should happen very quickly.
2b.The new Workload Model Review Panel will consider some high priority flagged items at an early stage, and matters unresolved by the Dispute Resolution process including:
Preparation time for teaching (75 hours or 39 hours, NRP2a). We have asked that any change should be applied to workloads from the start of 2nd semester, 2008.
Planning to achieve the 40-40-20 aspiration
Progression for early career academics
Journal editorial board allocation (50 or 20 hours, NRP13)
Staff working on the Workload Model Review Panel will have a suitable time allowance, and will consult widely with staff. The Review Panel will be required to finalise its report to the Dean by the 15th of September.
The NTEU has the ability to bring the case back to the commissioner it is not satisfied with the Review Panel report. The NTEU can also explore with members the taking of protected industrial action if appropriate (this was not allowed to prior to the 30th of June under the terms of existing enterprise bargaining agreement).
Meetings/Events
Member's meetings will be organised in March 2009 to provide information about the Bradley Review into Higher Education and the Government's response to the review's recommendations.
Meetings will be held in Launceston and Hobart and will be addressed by Dr Carloyn Allport, NTEU National President.
Venues and dates will be advised accordingly.
| General Meeting of Members |
Division Calendar
The next Division Council Meeting will be held in early 2009, time and date to be advised.
| Events | All events for Tasmanian Division |
North and South Tasmanian Division Newsletter
| North and South Spring 2008 | |
| North and South May 2008 Edition | |
| North and South March 2007 Edition | The Union newsletter keeping members informed accross Tasmania. |
| North and South November 06 | |
| North and South October 2007 |
e-bulletins
TASMANIAN DIVISION E-BULLETIN
Bradley
Review
Joint
Consultative Committee (Academic)
Division
Office Christmas Closure
Holiday
Wishes
BRADLEY
REVIEW
Final Report Released
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, released the final Report of the Review of Australian Higher Education (Bradley Review) on Wednesday 17 December 2008.
The report makes a number of recommendations that will result in a significant increase in the level of public investment in higher education. In total the value of the increased public investment in our universities amounts to almost $6billion over 4 years.
The Government’s initial response to the report’s recommendations is expected in February 2009.
The Tasmanian Division will be holding member’s forums and information sessions in Hobart and Launceston in late March 2009 to discuss the Bradley Review recommendations and the Government’s response. These meeting will be addressed by NTEU National President Dr Carolyn Allport. Members will be advised of the final venue and dates in the New Year.
To view a member’s briefing paper and a list of the reports’ 46 recommendations go to:
http://www.nteu.org.au/bd/tasmania/news/bradley_report
For further information, contact Ken Richardson, Division Organiser, krichardson@nteu.org.au
JCC
(Academic)
Meeting held 19 December 2008
The UTAS Joint Consultative Committee (Academic) met to discuss a Workplace Change Proposal in the School of English, Journalism and European Languages.
The meeting was attended by Kelvin Michael and Andrew Fluck (Staff Representatives), Bernard Lillis (Finance) and Stuart Andrews (Human Resources).
Information relating to the discussion can be found at:
http://www.nteu.org.au//bd/tasmania#a25772
For further information, contact Ken Richardson, Division Organiser, krichardson@nteu.org.au
DIVISION
OFFICE
Christmas Closure/Emergency Contacts
The Tasmanian Division Office will be closed from 9:00am Wednesday 24 December 2008 until 5:00 pm Tuesday 13 January 2009 inclusive.
Members seeking urgent industrial advice or assistance during this period should contact Division Secretary Catherine Behrens on 6226 2518 or the NTEU National Office on (03) 9254 1910.
For further information, contact Ken Richardson, Division Organiser, krichardson@nteu.org.au or visit www.nteu.org.au/bd/tasmania
HOLIDAY SEASON WISHES
Enjoy the break and stay safe
Tasmanian Division President Kelvin Michael, Division Secretary Catherine Behrens, the Division Council and Division Staff wish all members and their families a safe a happy festive season.
We would like to thank the Tasmanian Division members for their support and assistance during 2008 and look forward to working with members in 2009 to achieve significant collective industrial outcomes.
For further information, contact Ken Richardson, Division Organiser, krichardson@nteu.org.au
Join the NTEU
There has never been a more appropriate time to be a union member; unions are the only organisations standing in the way of truly awesome suppression of rights and exploitation of staff. There are also real perks to being a NTEU member. The NTEU also has a special deal for casual staff.
It's easy to join the NTEU
- Join online
- Download an application form (see below)
- Visit the Division Office
| Application form | Application form for all staff other than casual |
| Casual application form | Discount rates for casual staff |
| Why join the NTEU? | Reasons for joining and benefits of membership |
Links
Useful, informative and entertaining links
| Links |
Australian Maritime College
Amalgamation Deed Negotiations
NTEU AMC AMALGAMATION UPDATE
The deed has been succesfully negotiated with UTAS management.
The deed protects AMC General and Academic staff conditions above the conditions in the UTAS agreement.
For more information please contact krichardson@nteu.org.au
| Translation to UTAS for AMC Academic and General Staff | To find out how you fit into the proposed UTAS translation please download the excel file |
| General Staff pay scales | Find out your transalation to UTAS pay scales with the proposed Deed. |
| Academic Pay Scales for Deed with UTAS | Find out your pay scales with the proposed Deed. |
| AMC Deed (NTEU) | This is the words that the NTEU is negotiating to have included in the Deed |
Contact us
TASMANIAN DIVISION CONTACT INFORMATION
Elected Officers: See further Division Council
- President: Kelvin Michael Phone: 03 6226 2977
- Secretary: Catherine Behrens 03 6226 2518
Staff:
- Industrial Officer: Rob Binnie rbinnie@nteu.org.au
- Industrial Organiser: Ken Richardson krichardson@nteu.org.au
Phone: 03 6226 7575
Fax: 03 6226 2172
Mail: Private Bag 101, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001.
Address: 6 Grace Street, Sandy Bay.
Statement of accounts 2006
The statement of accounts for 2006 are now available on this web site. A more detailed set of accounts is available by application to the Division Secretary, Tom Dunning. t.dunning@utas.edu.au
Go to latest NEWS for more information