Union Bans Widen to Macquarie University
Bans on the transmission of student results at Macquarie University came into effect yesterday (Monday 6th December) as part of ongoing industrial action by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). The action is being taken as part of enterprise bargaining negotiations that continue to be delayed despite the union opening negotiations over 18 months ago.
The union estimates the action will affect 15,000 student grades, with strong support from staff across the entire university. Macquarie joins UNSW in imposing bans, with two large universities in Sydney now in dispute with their managements.
“Staff are concerned about quality education and research. Despite aiming to rank alongside the prestigious group of 8, Macquarie recently dropped 31 places in the QS World University rankings. This fall has been widely attributed to increased student to staff ratios in Australian Universities”, said NTEU Branch President, Cathy Rytmeister.
“The union claim is consistent with the University’s MQ@50 vision. We are committed to delivering on higher quality research and teaching. However, we have been frustrated by delays from management in negotiations,”
“Our Vice Chancellor appears to have prioritised a high credit rating and large scale commercial development over academic achievement. Student to staff ratios are rising, while job security is being undermined by a large increase in casual and contract positions,”
“The University is cutting jobs in the Science Faculty, despite being one of the most cashed up universities in the sector. Macquarie is one of the only Universities refusing to restore limits on fixed term and casual employment removed by the Howard Government’s radical industrial relations reforms,”
“The Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s salary increased 60% between 2006 and 2009 while Macquarie staff have been offered one of the meanest pay increases in the sector. Given this situation it is deeply distressing to staff to see such a senior figure arguing against efforts to reduce inequality at a recent Mont Pelerin society gathering in Sydney,”
“We have taken great heart from the support we have received from the NSW Parliament. When all parties come together to express their concern with the University’s negotiating tactics it is clear that management are out of line with community standards. We urge Professor Schwartz to make a decent pay offer and take job security of staff seriously,” Ms Rytmeister said.
The bans mirror similar action being taken by academics at the University of New South Wales, and reflect growing discontent in the sector following a decade of declining public investment and increasingly aggressive pro-market management.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor Fred Hilmer authored the controversial competition policy responsible for widespread privatization, while Macquarie’s Vice-Chancellor Stephen Swartz is a prominent contributor and academic advisor to Sydney free market think tank the Centre for Independent Studies and recently spoke out against efforts to reduce inequality.
SALARIES AT MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY FALL BEHIND OTHER SYDNEY UNIVERSITIES...
|
As at Jan 2012... |
Macquarie |
Sydney |
Fortnightly difference |
|
Level B1 Lecturer |
$80,807 |
$88,426 |
$293 |
|
Level C1 |
$98,825 |
$108,318 |
$365 |
|
Level D1 A/Prof |
$118,845 |
$130,422 |
$445 |
|
Level E2/E Prof |
$152,878 |
$168,002 |
$581 |
Assumptions: based on current offer of 4 per cent pa (compounded) increase on the table at Macquarie.
Sources: University of Sydney Enterprise Agreement, 2009-2012 [http://sydney.edu.au/staff/enterprise_agreement/]
Sources: Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement, 2006-2009 [http://www.hr.mq.edu.au/Enterprise/index.html]
|
As at May 2012... |
Macquarie |
UWS |
Fortnightly difference |
|
Level B1 Lecturer |
$82,423 |
$85,989 |
$137 |
|
Level C1 Snr Lecturer |
$100,801 |
$104,645 |
$148 |
|
Level D1 A/Prof |
$121,221 |
$125,382 |
$160 |
|
Level E1 Prof |
$148,830 |
$160,629 |
$454 |
Assumptions: based on current offer of 4 per cent pa (compounded) increase on the table at Macquarie.
Sources: UWS Enterprise Agreement, 2009-2012 [http://www.uws.edu.au/human_resources/hr/employee_relations/uws_enterprise_agreements#2]
Sources: Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement, 2006-2009 [http://www.hr.mq.edu.au/Enterprise/index.html]
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Branch Contacts
Branch Office
15 Paxtons Walk 281 North Terrace Palais Apartment complex
University of Adelaide
Phone: 08 8227 2384
adelaide@nteu.org.au
http://www.nteu.org.au/adelaide
Rod Crewther
Branch President
rodney.crewther@adelaide.edu.au
Katherine Gale
Branch Organiser
kgale@nteu.org.au
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