University of Queensland Branch
Welcome to the homepage of the University of Queensland Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).The NTEU represents general and academic staff at the University of Queensland. If you are new to the NTEU, take a moment to explore the many features of our integrated website.
This page contains links to UQ-specific news, advice, and contacts.
- Financial Modelling of UQ Pay Claim
- Collective Bargaining 2008/09
- National Council 2009 Resolutions
- Budget 2009
- National Matters
- Sustainable UQ
- Latest Branch News
- Your Rights @ Work
- Research Committee - News and Reports
- Teaching and Learning Committee
- Information for Casual Staff
- Contacts
- Joining the NTEU
- Survey of Research-only staff
- UQ Branch Pages Archive
- Audited Accounts 2007/08
Financial Modelling of UQ Pay Claim
| Detail | Attached is a word document outlining the assumptions underpinning the NTEU's pay claim. |
Collective Bargaining 2008/09
UQ Management have set up a website about collective bargaining, but surprise surprise you can't get the full picture there!! See below for the latest, including the information that management isn't showing you. Some will be available to members only.| When Bargaining Started | Management are trying to give the impression that bargaining has just started. Here is their letter acknowledging our Log of Claims delivered on 30 May 2008!!! |
| Delay | Here is the first real response from management (more than three months later!) where they place unilateral demands on things that should have been decided through bargaining, delay any meetings with unions, and give staff a pay freeze. |
| Pay Freeze | Copied here is the email from Management that went out to staff about the administrative pay rise. It doesn't appear on their webpage. Read the last line to see why!!!! They took your tax cuts from you (and any increment you might have earned!!) to "maintain your purchasing power". |
| More Delay | Management get back to us again in December to say that management staff changes and holidays will lead to yet more delay. |
| NTEU Clarifies Its Claim | In early March members of the NTEU reviewed the pay claim in the light of the changed financial circumstances and communicated this to management, along with the fact that members were tired of the continual delays. |
| Yet More Delay | Responding to the clarification of our claim and the recalibration of the pay claim to 20% (which management deliberately ignores in its email to all staff of 7 May) management comes up with yet another set of reasons for delaying the commencement of bargaining. |
| Even More Delay | In March Management finally set a day for the first meeting - not a bargaining meeting but a "financial briefing" - in May!!! And now, after specifically delaying bargaining until the "financial picture is clearer" the briefing is scheduled for the week before the Budget, when the financial picture might actually improve. What a coincidence! |
| Budget Briefing Report | Find here a concise report of the Financial Briefing provided by management to unions on 6 May 2009. Note the asurances given to unions about communications with staff and the agreement to reconvene bargaining after a fortnight. |
| UQ Email To Staff 7 May | Despite an undertaking that they would not send out information from the financial briefing to staff….the next day all staff receive this email. Note that it maintains the fiction that the pay claim is “up to 27%” (most disingenuous) and that it paints a very negative financial picture. Expect an update shortly from management revising the position in the light of the money in the federal budget for higher education (don’t hold your breath). |
| Management "EB" Webpage | Management launch a new “EB” web page before the meeting at which protocols and procedures around matters such communication are to be discussed. The web page does not declare that it presents only the things management want you to see. Note the lack of reference to any communication about bargaining before 6 May!! |
| Unions Respond | The unions representing staff respond to management’s flagrant breaches of understood principles of “good faith bargaining”. The letter speaks for itself. |
| Management Responds | University management responds to our letter of 14 May, rejecting the assertions that they have not presented the whole truth to staff. They argue that they have "demonstrably committed" to bargaining even though the letter is dated almost exactly 12 months after receiving the NTEU Log of Claims. |
| Post It Note Quotes | At the barbeque held in May to celebrate bargaining finally commencing, Barb from the Division put up a board and invited staff to write a message on a post-it note to support the bargaining team. Some are funny, some just plain weird. Read them here. |
| Protocols and Procedures Meeting Report | Our first bargaining meeting was generally positive.University Management agreed to acceptable protocols and resourcing for bargaining. University website regarding enterprise bargaining will be mainly devoted to the views of Management ONLY. A separate section will contain material agreed with the Unions. The NTEU will continue to host our own website providing bargaining information for members. |
| Bargaining Report - Meeting One | Some argy-bargy over what was agreed at the last meeting, discussions about a single agreement, and (finally) the chance to start outlining the members' Log of Claims. |
| Log of Claims | This is the Log of Claims presented to university management on 30 May 2008. |
| Key Claims Letter | This letter was sent at the request of management. It outlines the key claims which the NTEU believes need to be addressed in order to forestall industrial action at UQ. |
National Council 2009 Resolutions
| 2009 Resolutions | National Council passed a number of motions focussing on Indigenous Issues, General/Professional Staff and Collective Bargaining. Download all the motions here. |
Budget 2009
| NTEU Analysis | The Policy and Research Division have analysed the impact of the federal Budget and prepared a briefing paper for members. |
National Matters
| Bradley Review Response | The Bradley Review into Higher Education has handed down its report. Please find the NTEU response to the report, including all the report recommendations here. |
| Federal Budget 2009 Submission | The NTEU made a comprehensive submission to the Rudd government for the 2009 Federal Budget. The NTEU submission is available here. |
Sustainable UQ
Sustainable UQ : Creating a Climate for Change.
At the University of Queensland, the NTEU Research Committee in conjunction with Climate for Change and the UQ Union Environment Collective organised a forum on "Sustainable UQ" on the 29th of October. Thanks to our excellent speakers and to everyone who attended.
The aims of the forum were to: 1) raise awareness of the need to act on climate change and sustainability; 2) illustrate the scope for Universities to lead in environmental management and advancing research and education for sustainability 3) motivate engagement in the development of an overarching sustainability plan for UQ.
For an overview of the organising groups and how you can become involved, please visit: the GET INVOLVED link below.
UQ Climate for Change submission: The submission from UQ Climate for Change, which sets out ideas for a comprehensive Sustainability Plan for the University of Quesland, can be found here: http://www.nteu.org.au/bd/uq/researchcommittee/submission
| Sustainable UQ Forum | This page provides links to the presentations and transcripts from the very successful forum organised by the NTEU UQ Branch Research Committee and the Climate for Change group of staff and students at UQ. |
| Sustainable Universities - Get Involved! | Click here to find out how to get involved in creating a sustainable UQ. |
Latest Branch News
| Newsletters | Copies of the University of Queensland Branch newsletter, News and Views. |
| LGBT Parenting Survey | A press release about a LaTrobe University study into Lesbian and Gay parenting in Australia and NZ. |
| Academic Board Review Submission | The NTEU UQ Branch submission to the review of the Academic Board |
| Fair Shares at UQ | Getting the right money for teaching and learning |
Your Rights @ Work
| UQ Agreements | Although they have expired, your Agreements are still in force. Click here for more information or to download your Agreement. |
| UQ Policies and Procedures | There are a number of policies and procedures which govern your working conditions at UQ. These can be accessed here. The NTEU are the experts in assisting members with and advising them on the application of these policies. |
Research Committee - News and Reports
The Research Sub-Committee of the NTEU Branch at UQ is open to all members with an interest in the issues relating to research at universities, and the working conditions of research-only staff.
For more information, or to join the Research Sub-Committee, please contact the Branch
| UQ Sustainability Forum | Sustainable UQ : Creating a Climate for Change. U Public forum on Wednesday 29 Oct, 1:00 - 3:00 Abel Smith Theatre. |
| Submission on Sustainability at UQ | A submission to UQ management, from the group "UQ Climate for Change", putting the case for environmental sustainability strategies at UQ |
| Research Training Submission | Members of the UQ Branch Research Committee with assistance from contract research members, casual members and post-graduate members made a detailed submission to the Industry, Science and Innovation Committee inquiry into Research Training in Australia |
| Innovation Submission | Arising from the Forum "Innovation & UQ", this is the NTEU UQ Branch Research Committee's submission to the Federal Review of the National Innovation System. |
| Survey07 | A survey of over 1200 research-only UQ staff was conducted by the NTEU in late 2006. Responses to the survey have been analysed and a draft document is available here for the perusal of NTEU members. The research committee will use these results in a campaign during 2007 for better conditions for research only staff. |
| Nuts and Bolts 2006 | Over 100 University staff attended a forum on the practicalties of working as a researcher at UQ, organised by the NTEU Research Sub-Committee. The presentations from the speakers (Professor Max Lu; Professor Cindy Gallois; Dr Carolyn Allport: and Dr Joanne Smith) are available. |
| Energy Forum | In September 05 the research sub-committee hosted a forum on Energy in Australia |
| UQ Research Committee RQF Submission | Click on the link to access a copy of the submission on the RQF put together by UQ staff on the Research Committee. |
| RQF forum | In July a forum organised by the NTEU UQ Branch Research Committee was held to consider the governmemt's proposed Rsearch quality Framework. It was a huge success with over 200 researchers and academics in attendance. To see the powerpoint presentations by David Siddle, DVC Research, and Howard Guille, NTEU State Secretary, see here: |
Teaching and Learning Committee
The Teaching and Learning sub-committee of the NTEU branch at UQ is open to all members interested in teaching and learning issues at UQ and in the university sector.
For more information, or to join the T&L Sub-Committee, contact the Branch.
| CPS Demonstration | Demonstration of Classroom Performance System: Wed 15 February 12.30 - 1.30 pm Hawken Building - N202 Download info leaflets here |
Information for Casual Staff
A National NTEU handbook for casual staff can be accessed here.
| Casual and Sessional Staff campaign | Links to the Unicasuals website and information on the Qld casual academic staff conference Rite of Passage or Road to Nowhere? Wednesday 20th June 2007 |
| casual award extract | download an extract from the Academic Salaries Award which specifies the conditions under which all casual payments are made. |
| Smart Casual Booklet |
Contacts
To contact the University of Queensland Branch of the NTEU, call (07) 3365 2538 or email m.mcnally@qld.nteu.org.au. For the current Branch Executive Committee members, or to find your local NTEU Delegate, click on the appropriate page.
| Current Branch Committee | Here are the current elected representatives on the Branch Executive Committee. It is the Branch Committee that provides the decision-making and direction for Branch activities at UQ. NTEU elections are held every two years. |
| UQ and Division Staff Details | Full contact details for the UQ Branch and Queensland Diviosn Staff relevant to UQ. |
| Your Delegates | Here are the delegates in each school. Please contact your appropriate delegate. We also have NTEU contacts in some schools to assist with distribution of material. |
Joining the NTEU
Join the NTEU on line here.
Information on Membership benefits can also be accessed.
Explore the NTEU Publications.
Survey of Research-only staff
In 2003, a survey of over 1000 research-only staff at UQ was distributed, so that the NTEU can better understand the conditions and issues which research staff feel are important in their work. NTEU membners can log in to this site and download a comprehensive report of the findings.
| Research staff survey findings | For all NTEU members - log in to this website (using your membership number) to download the report |
UQ Branch Pages Archive
| Arts in Crisis | In 2005 and 2006 the Faculty of Arts made drastic changes to its courses, majors and electives. The restructuring of HPRC at the same time got staff up in arms. |
| Universities Under Attack Again 2005 | University staff conditions and rights come under attack by the federal government (again!). The Howard Government announces the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements. |
| Enterprise Bargaining 2003/04 | The last round of unencumbered bargaining finished in 2004. In a last minute move the UQ Branch got extended agreements as they feared the Howard Government would misuse its unexpected control of both houses. These fears were borne out! |
| Casual and Sessional Staff campaign | Links to the Unicasuals website and information on the Qld casual academic staff conference Rite of Passage or Road to Nowhere? Wednesday 20th June 2007 |
| President's Report 2007 NTEU/UQASA AGM | Andrew Bonnell's Report to the AGM on issues and events confronting UQ Branch 2006/2007 |
| April 2007 e-Bulletin | in pdf format |
Audited Accounts 2007/08
Links to the NTEU UQ Branch Audit reports, including UQASA and Operating Report| NTEU Audit Report 2008 |