University of Ballarat Branch
Welcome to the NTEU University of Ballarat Branch. Choose from the list below for useful information and ideas.
- Reconciliation at UB
- Victoria University Job Crisis
- New Agreement in operation at UB
- UB News - online now
- OUR UNIVERSITIES MATTER
- Academic Promotions
- AWA Termination
- Contacts
- About the Branch
- News and Views
- Useful Links
- Regional Education Forum
Reconciliation at UB
In 2008 the University of Ballarat committed to a Reconciliation Action Plan for the institution, and the RAP Committee has produced a first draft document which has been circulated to staff for comment.
The Branch Committee of the NTEU UB Branch lodged a submission on the University's proposed RAP in early December 2008.
| NTEU submission | The NTEU UB Branch submission on the University's draft Reconciliation Action Plan |
Victoria University Job Crisis
NTEU at the University of Ballarat supports colleagues at Victoria University. More information about the jobs crisis is available via the links below.
| VU Bulletin | Bulletin from NTEU Victoria University Branch |
| The Australian 22 Oct 08 | Link to article in The Australian 22 Oct 08: "Razor gangs eye more cuts as universities shift focus" - Andrew Trounson |
| The Australian 23 Oct 08 | Link to article in The Australian 23 Oct 08: "Union accuses Victoria University VC of manufacturing funding crisis" - Andrew Trounson |
| The Age 23 Oct 08 | Link to article in The Age 23 Oct 08: "Victoria Uni chief accused of 'pea and thimble trick' to justify job cuts" - Paul Austin |
| The Australian 24 Oct 08 | Link to article in The Australian 24 Oct 08: "Job cuts needed: Victoria Uni VC Elizabeth Harman" - Andrew Trounson |
New Agreement in operation at UB
The new Union Collective Agreement now in operation at the University of Ballarat delivers to staff:
- salary increases of 10.9% to January 2010
- better workload management
- improved rights and pay for casuals
- superannuation equality for more staff
- better reclassification procedures for general staff
- a commitment to significantly improving employment opportunities for members of the Indigenous community
- restoration of union rights
To read the Agreement in full, click on the link below.
| UB UCA 08-09 | Click here to download the current University of Ballarat Union Collective Agreement 2008-2009. |
UB News - online now
Check out the current newsletter (hard copy coming to a pigeon-hole or tearoom near you!)
| Current Newsletter | Latest news for UB staff, out now! |
OUR UNIVERSITIES MATTER
NTEU will campaign during 2008 to reinvigorate Australia’s universities under the banner of 'Our Universities Matter – Investing in People and Society'.
The campaign's aims include:
- A Charter for University Renewal - Statement of underlying principles.
- Collective Bargaining - This year, NTEU will be negotiating with University management for a new Collective Agreement, including payrises and improved staff conditions. Together we can make a difference!
- Universities Act -A legislative framework which clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of universities
- Statement on Academic Freedom and University Independence -To be signed by senior Academic and General staff.
- National Petition - National Petition in support of the Charter.
- Casual & Sessional Staff -NTEU is seeking better pay and conditions for casual and sessional academics.
- Research Staff - NTEU is giving priority to the needs of contract research staff.
- General Staff Classification & Promotion - Clearer procedures for general staff classification and promotion.
- University funding - Australia now spends less on tertiary education than the OECD average.
- Pay Rates -A 27% salary increase is needed over the next three years
- Workloads - We need clear and substantive regulation of workloads.
- Work/Life Balance - A focus on more flexible working arrangements and better carers' leave to look after young children and the elderly.
- Job Security - The previous Federal Government stripped job security conditions from Collective Agreements.
- Indigenous Employment - NTEU's Indigenous specific clauses help combat diminished educational and employment opportunities.
- Regional Universities - Regional communities need strong universities.
- Environmental Sustainability - Australia's universities are key leaders in developing solutions to reduce greenhouse emissions.
For more information on the campaign go to http://www.nteu.org.au/ouruniversitiesmatter
HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
- Sign the petition which calls on the Federal Government to improve university funding; improve access to universities; and legislate to protect academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Sign online here.
- Bookmark the website. Save the campaign http://www.nteu.org.au/ouruniversitiesmatter in your favourites and refer back to it on a regular basis to stay up to date with campaign events.
- Distribute material. Download materials (flyers, posters, screensavers, wallpapers etc.) from the website or contact the Branch office and we can arrange for you to receive material that can be distributed amongst your colleagues, including posters, flyers, stickers and badges. Call 03 5327 9163 or email ballarat@vic.nteu.org.au and tell us how many you need!
- Sign the Statement on Academic Freedom and University Independence. If you are a senior academic or general staff member please consider signing the statement online here .
BE ACTIVE. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Academic Promotions
On 30 May 2008, NTEU University of Ballarat Branch submitted its response to the draft University of Ballarat Academic Promotions Policy and Procedures. You can read it in detail here.
| NTEU Submission | NTEU UB Branch Submission on the draft University of Ballarat Academic Promotions Policy and Procedures |
AWA Termination
Branch President Jeremy Smith, the University of Ballarat and NTEU reached agreement in early 2008 on terms to settle the AWA case in the Federal Court, and also related matters. A key part of the agreement is that the University will agree to terminate AWAs for any staff member currently on an AWA with the University, and return the staff member to the terms and conditions of the UB Union Collective Agreement.
With a new Agreement almost finalised, you must take action NOW if you wish to terminate your AWA and return to the improved pay and conditions of the Collective Agreement. Click the link below to find out how.
| AWA Termination | Click on the link to download information about how to get off your AWA at the University of Ballarat |
Contacts
Branch Office: 2nd level, Albert Coates Complex (formerly the Union Building), Mt Helen campus. 2nd door on the left up the stairs, or second door on the right from the lift.
ph: (03) 5327 9163
fax: (03) 5327 9162
email: ballarat@vic.nteu.org.au
Office Hours: The Branch office is staffed on a full-time basis by Branch Organiser Janette Dalgliesh; however, Janette may be out and about visiting other campuses. Please feel very welcome to come and visit, but we would advise calling first to confirm that the office is open.
Industrial Officer: Industrial Officer Robyn May
visits on a regular basis and you can arrange an
appointment by phoning the Branch Office on 5327
9163. For urgent assistance please contact the Victorian
Division on 03 9254 1930 or email them on
office@vic.nteu.org.au
Internal Mail: NTEU, Mt Helen Campus
Postal Address: PO BOX 663 BALLARAT 3353
About the Branch
The University of Ballarat Branch of the NTEU is made up of members who work within this university community. All academic and general staff in the Higher Education Division and general staff in the TAFE Division are eligible to become NTEU members. The union represents full-time, part-time, contract and sessional/casual members in all areas of the university and includes research staff, staff employed by student organisations and those working in university companies. The Branch represents and organises the members at the university level. To find out more about the Branch choose a link below.| Branch Committee | Contact details for members of the Branch Committee |
| AGM - President's Annual Reports | Read the annual reports given by the Branch President at the AGM. They provide an overview of events of the previous year and look forward to the events, trends and challenges for the next year. |
| Audited Financial Reports |
News and Views
Check the links below for current and past editions of the UB Branch Newsletter, access to the NTEU's national publications and other useful information
| Publications | NTEU Advocate, Frontline, AUR, NTEU Express, TER and other publications. |
| Current Newsletter | Latest news for UB staff, out now! |
| Fact Sheets | These Fact Sheets will provide guidelines to the UB Union Collective Agreement 2006-2008 |
| Newsletter Archive | Archive of UB News |
Useful Links
Some useful links to community and non-government organisations, union related sites and government sites are provided here.
Links to other web sites or information sources are provided as a courtesy, however we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for the information contained in any links. Their listing does not imply endorsement of their contents or the organisations' philosophies in any way.
| Union Links | Links to labour organisations worldwide and within Australia. |
| Government Links | Links to a variety of federal and state government sites |
| Community Links | Links to various community and non-government organisations |
Regional Education Forum
On 15 May the Branch hosted a very successful regional forum, where we were extremely fortunate to hear from five key speakers.
Wide-ranging discussions resulted in general consensus about the crucial importance of regional universities to the future of regional Australia; and the amazing contribution made by UB to the region it serves. The Vice-Chancellor praised the NTEU UB Branch for its foresight in organising the forum and providing an opportunity to discuss the important issues around regional education in a participative manner.
And NTEU - through the National President - pledged to work with the Vice-Chancellor in lobbying for the future sustainability of UB
Key speakers generously gave permission for their speeches or powerpoint presentations to be made available. Click on a link below to see what they had to say!
| Welcome to Land | Wayne Muir provided the welcome to land on behalf of its traditional custodians, his ancestors, the Wathaurong people. |
| Mayor David Vendy | Mayor David Vendy summarised the great benefits UB brings to the Ballarat region. |
| VC Prof David Battersby | The Vice-Chancellor explored the critical contribution regional universities make to regional Australia, in helping slow the migration of rural youth to the cities. |
| Dr Carolyn Allport | NTEU National President Dr Carolyn Allport discussed the importance of community engagement, and why regional universities - and UB in particular - do it so well. |
| Wayne Muir | Chair of the Ballarat Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Wayne Muir, praised UB for some solid foundations in its work with the Indigenous community - and challenged the university to do more. |
| Catherine King MP | Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King MP, explored the importance of government support for regional universities, and discussed the realities of the recent Federal budget. |
| Forum photos 01 | Photos from the Regional Education Forum |
| Forum photos 02 | More photos from the Regional Education Forum |
| Forum photos 03 | ... and still more photos from the Regional Education Forum! |