University of Western Sydney
Welcome to the NTEU-UWS Branch Website
NTEU is a specialist national union solely representing staff in tertiary education. In all Australian universities, NTEU represents academic and research staff, general staff, ELICOS teachers, and staff of Student Unions and university companies.
The NTEU-UWS Branch provides an advocacy role for all staff at the University of Western Sydney and staff in UWS entities such as uwsconnect and UWS Conference and Residential Colleges. The NTEU has staffed offices at Hawkesbury and Parramatta North Campuses.
NTEU-UWS supports staff in workplace and industrial matters and ensures that the Academic and General Staff Enterprise Agreements are implemented. Your elected NTEU-UWS Officials carry out ongoing negotiations to ensure pay and working conditions for all staff are maintained and improved. The NTEU with the broader Australian Union and Community movement is also campaigning for fairer federal industrial relations policies for example the recent abolition of HEWRRs and the Review of Higher Education announced by Julia Gillard for this year.
Your elected Officials consult with members at regular General Meetings to ensure your democratic voice is heard in protecting and extending the quality of our working and leisure lives.
Join the NTEU today or contact the Branch Office or your nearest elected Official or Delegate for more information.
- Contact Us
- Join the NTEU
- Cat's Blog
- NTEU Workloads Clause
- Newsletters and e-bulletins
- Collective Bargaining 2010
- Casuals
- Enterprise Agreements for Academic and General Staff
- 2009 News and Events
- Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA
- Women's Rights at Work
- Members Equity
- Audited Financial Reports
- Cases Committee
Contact Us
| Offices and Staff | |
| NTEU Branch Committee | Phone and email details for the President, Secretary, Vice Presidents, and Committee members. |
Join the NTEU
There are a few ways you can join the NTEU - online or by downloading a membership form and sending or faxing it to Helen Hinley on 02 4570 1761.
Further information about the benefits of joining the NTEU can be found here.
| UWS form |
Cat's Blog
| Cat's Blog | Check out what the Branch Organiser is working on this week to help you improve working conditions and quality of education at UWS. |
| OUM campaign Mercury Aug 7 article | |
| School of Management Admin | |
| School of Management Admin Poster | |
| SoM Change Proposal | |
| Research Framework |
NTEU Workloads Clause
NTEU Workload Clause.
the final respective versions of the Academic
Workloads clause as they stood at the completion of formal
negotiations last year (meeting of December 3 2009).
Attached are two documents. The first is titled 'UWS Management
Workloads
clause 3 December 2009'. It represents the Management position
AFTER that
final meeting, since both parties were working from the Management
draft at
that late stage.
The second is titled 'NTEU Academic Workloads draft 2 12
09'. It represents
the position we took to the final day of bargaining.
As you'll see, the crucial points of difference at this very
late stage (we
had been trading drafts since April) were the teaching cap, and the
entire
operation of the School-level workloads committees. At that point
it was
still not clear that management was about to refuse to accept ANY
cap of any
kind on workloads.
These two documents will be the starting-point when we attempt to
conclude
negotiations in 3 all-day meetings of February 18, 22 and 23.
Best wishes,
David Burchell
For the bargaining team
UWS Academic Workload Policy Research Project
Name of Principal Investigators: Dr. Elizabeth Watson, Robyn Moroney, Anne Maureen-Scarff, Genevieve Kelly
New ground breaking research into Academic workloads at the University of Western Sydney shows academics being severely undercut in their workload agreements. The report can be accessed at http://issuu.com/nteu/docs/overload
The report, titled “Overload: The role of work volume escalation and micro management of academic work patterns in loss of morale and collegiality at UWS; the way forward” shows that the morale of academic staff at every level of the University, has been compromised by burgeoning work volume and that current work load agreements have served to shift and hide real levels of work rather than providing the transparency and flexibility intended.
The research project was undertaken by NTEU members in response to several years of restructure and the effects of the years of funding reduction to Universities by the Federal Government. Academic staff reported an erosion of scholarship, collegiality and confidence in the workplace. Literature related to academic workloads indicated that the stresses amongst academic staff was not unique to Australia but there was relatively little published on the subject.
The report shows that the intensity of teaching in a university with arguably Australia’s highest staff-student ratio is exacerbated by far-flung campuses, large cohorts with specific educational needs, and ever-changing armies of casual academics, often post-graduate students, that have replaced collegial teaching teams from which academics previously drew support, as well as the loss of administrative support.
Teaching loads have also been affected by early voluntary redundancies and the recruitment of an elite professoriate to boost the research profile. While cohorts swell, face-to-face teaching time has been reduced by a strategy of longer lectures taking precedence over shorter, larger and fewer tutorials, and the high level utilisation of time-hungry technologies to under gird blended learning. Teaching takes precedence over research except for those academics who have managed to achieve a track-record in their own time.
The research will be significant to the Union nationally as workload clauses are negotiated in Enterprise Bargaining.
| NTEU Workload Clause | NTEU Workload Clause as at 2 Dec 2009 |
| Untitled | UWS Workload Clause Dec 2009 |
Newsletters and e-bulletins
NTEU UWS sends regular e-bulletins and newsletters to all members.
| Feb 2010 E-Bulletin | |
| Time to Get Serious about bargaining | Time to get serious about a decent agreement! Bargaining Newsletter Feb 2010 |
| Vote No (Academic Staff) | Campaign to Vote No on 23 December 2009 |
| Vote No (General Staff) | Campaign to Vote No on 17 December 2009 |
| August 2009 | |
| July 2009 | |
| May 2009 Newsletter | |
| May 2009 | |
| April 2009 | |
| February 2009 | |
| January 2009 E-Bulletin | |
| December 2008 Newsletter | |
| July 2008 E-bulletin | |
| April 2008 Branch Newsletter | |
| January 08 E-bulletin | |
| School of Management Space Planning | |
| ITD Change Proposal |
Collective Bargaining 2010
Resolution Passed at General Meeting 11th February 2010
What is Collective Bargaining?
Collective Bargaining is the process by which salaries and employment conditions are determined for university staff. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) represents staff in negotiations with management that result in an Enterprise Agreement. An Enterprise Agreement is a legal document that sets out pay rates, hours of work, leave and other conditions for staff. The current Enterprise Agreement for academic staff at UWS expires in December 2008 and negotiations for a replacement Enterprise Agreement are therefore underway.
How do I join the NTEU?
If you are not already an NTEU member and would like to join your colleagues in the NTEU you can do so online: www.nteu.org.au/join
How do I get more involved?
If you would like to join our collective agreement reference group, contact Cat Coghlan in the Branch Office on 9685 9928 to indicate your interest. The reference group will provide regular feedback to our NTEU bargaining team by email as negotiations progress and feedback on issues and strategies is required.
E-Updates for the latest news on Bargaining at UWS.
For more information on collective bargaining negotiations at your University and other universities around the country go to www.universitybargaining.com.au
| May 2008 | |
| Log of Claims | On Friday 30 May 2008, the NTEU served its Log of Claims on University management for the next collective agreement. Read on for a full list of what the log includes... |
Casuals
UWS has it's own social networking site for Sessional (casual) staff. Check it out here!
Visit UWS Sessional Staff network
With over one-third of employees being casual workers, tertiary education ranks as one of the most casualised industries in Australia. Casual employees in our industry are frequently exploited, underpaid, overworked and left with few avenues for assistance or redress.
It is therefore important that you are aware of your rights and entitlements under the current UWS Enterprise Agreements for Academic and General Staff. It is also a good idea to join the National Tertiary Education Industry Union (NTEU) because the union is experienced in enforcing these conditions and ensuring that casuals get a fair go.
If you are a casual staff member and want to join, go to the 'join' section of this site
For answers to all your questions about being a university casual and how NTEU can assist you, please visit our special casuals website, www.unicasual.com.au or download 'Smart Casuals', the NTEU handbook for casual and sessional university staff (2007 edition).
If you want further information contact the branch office and we can put you in touch with a delegate in your work area.
Click here to read the latest win for casual staff member at Newcastle University, February 2010
| Unfair Dismissal Case Won For Casual Staff |
Enterprise Agreements for Academic and General Staff
The current Enterprise Agreements for Academic and General Staff contain the bulk of members' entitlements that the Union has negotiated with UWS Management.
| UWS ACADEMIC STAFF ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2006 – 2008 | |
| UWS GENERAL STAFF ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2006 – 2008 |
2009 News and Events
| New Industrial Relations Legislation | Oct 2008. The federal Government has released further information about the shape of its proposed IR Legislation. |
| Federal Budget | The NTEU Briefing Paper on the 2008 Federal Budget. If you have any queries please contact Terri Mac Donald on 03 92541910 or email tmacdonald@nteu.org.au |
| Wine Club & Union Shopper | FREE membership FREE delivery and up to 70% off retail prices there are great saving to be had. |
| Mental Health Legal Services Project, PIAC | Over the next two years the MHLS Project will explore the unmet legal needs of people who are mentally unwell and through piloting innovative strategies, enable those needs to be better met. They are seeking comment from interested parties. |
| HEWRRs is dead! | Follow the latest news on the Rudd Government's changes to workplace relations and how they relate to Higher Education. |
| Shiftwork | How to avoid negative impact of shiftwork on your health. |
| Stress | A major study in the UK has confirmed the effect of work stress on heart disease, and found the problem more prevalent among younger workers. |
| Your Rights At Work |
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA
2009 marks 25 years since APHEDA began in 1984!
Commenced by Cliff Dolan, the then President of the ACTU, and Dr Helen McCue, a nurse trainer who had been training health workers in Palestinian refugee camps in the Middle East, Union Aid Abroad- APHEDA now assists over 50 projects each year - training thousands of women and men in skills needed for decent work.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA also works with trade unions in developing countries because we appreciate that it is only when parents have permanent, well-paid and safe jobs that they are able to feed, shelter and educate their children.
Stay tuned for how you can celebrate with us and help further our work in 2009.
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This issue: Ø Raffle ends May 15 Ø Study Tour update Ø Gifts That Change Lives |
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Annual Raffle – closing soon! |
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WIN an amazing trip around the world for you and a friend thanks to Members Equity Bank. |
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Sell those last few tickets, get the book back to us and make sure you’re in the running!
The Raffle closes a little earlier this year, so hurry and get your tickets then return all stubs and payment to us by May 15. Tickets will be drawn May 28 with the winner published in The Australian June 2nd.
You can still buy tickets for yourself and order more books to sell by calling us tollfree: 1800 888 674 or emailing office@apheda.org.au . CALL US NOW FOR SAME-DAY PROCESSING.
1st Prize – Around the world trip for two plus an accommodation and spending package - valued at $8,200. 2nd Prize – Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop computer valued at $998.
Great prizes for ticket sellers too. We’re working to Make Life Fair Everywhere – support our 50 projects in over 15 countries worldwide.
ORDER TICKETS by phone or email: 02 9264 9343 /1800 888 674 / office@apheda.org.au Closes May 15.
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Study Tour to Timor-Leste |
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Applications close April 30. |
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If you’re interested in joining us in Dili and surrounding districts August 9-16, download the information pack and get your applications to us by APRIL 30.
You will have the opportunity to visit the many projects that Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA assists in partnership with local communities in Timor-Leste, as well as get to speak with locals about their experiences and see first-hand the work Australian unions are doing through Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.
If you’re enthusiastic and have a genuine interest in international development, we’d love to hear from you.
See our study tour page on the web for details and application pack: www.apheda.org.au/studytours/ Or phone Tanya Bilanenko on 02 9264 9343 / 1800 888 674
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Gifts That Change Lives |
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Not just for Christmas! |
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Give our beautiful Gift Cards to friends and family - birthdays, anniversaries, weddings – anything. They’re available all year round and can be sent to you for your own personal message or directly to the recipient. Perfect for a unique Mother’s Day.
Our gift card range packages a tax-deductible donation into a gift you can give to family and friends, with benefits going to Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA's overseas projects. You will receive a gift card showing how the donation will change the lives of those who need it most:
* Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA now gives you the opportunity to contribute part donations toward any of our larger Gifts That Change Lives. For example, if you wish to contribute to our project working with Palestinian refugees (normally a $200 donation), you have the option of nominating a smaller denomination (minimum $20) to the project instead. You will still receive a Gifts That Change Lives gift card as recognition of your contribution.
To Order: Phone 1800 888 674 or 02 9264 9343 Email office@apheda.org.au Or see our website at: |
Women's Rights at Work
The NTEU is a union committed to enhancing the participation and voice of women members. Women hold positions of influence and power at all levels of the Union, are active on the Union's enterprise bargaining teams, and contribute to the development of the Union’s strategy. The Union has been a leader in many areas concerning women and their professional and employment rights, and provides support for other women through the ACTU and othernon-government organizations. NTEU published the first national pay equity study done in Australia, and this has encouraged a broader commitment to pay equity within the labour movement. At a national level, the NTEU Women’s Action Committee and the annual Women’s Conference develop this work.
Click here to get Information on what the union is doing nationally.
| Maternity Leave Petition |
Members Equity
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| Burma Response | Media release re Members Equity's contribution to relief campaigns for the recent natural disasters in China and Burma. |
| Rate sheet, Jan 2008 | Updated rate sheet for your reference. Fantastic news on the Online Savings Account interest rate which will increase by 0.80%, meaning that ME offers one of the top two rates in Australia. |
| Boosted On-line presence for ME! | Members Equity Bank to launch new upgraded website, and new campaign for Online Savings Account. |
Audited Financial Reports
Audited Financial Report for the year end 30.06.07
| UWS Branch 2008 Financials | |
| Financial Report |
Cases Committee
| vacation leave | |
| Cases Committee | |
| Branch Personal Case Protocol | |
| 2008 Benefits Guide | Access the 2008 Workers Compensation Benefits Guide |