Central Queensland University Branch
Welcome to the homepage of the Central Queensland University (CQU) Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). The NTEU represents academic and general staff at CQU. Our members come from every campus in Central Queensland from Mackay to Bundaberg, from Gladstone to Emerald, Rockhampton down to Noosa. This page will contain links to CQU-specific news, local campaigns, and contacts. If you are a staff member of C-MS click here.
If you have any queries or ideas for this page, please email the branch organiser or give him a call.
- Contacts
- Branch Executive
- Our Universities Matter
- Bradley Review
- CQU Strategic Plan & Policy Reviews
- CQUniversity Viability Audit
- Research Staff @ CQU campaign
- Federal Court case against CQU senior management for breach of agreement
- Organisational Review
- Collective Bargaining in 2008
- Staff Consultative Committee (SCC)
- Branch News
- Get Involved
- Join us today!
- Workplace Contacts Network
- Casuals & Sessional Staff Network
- Photo Galleries
Contacts
The NTEU-CQU office is located at:
Office G06, Commercial Centre
Central Queensland University
North Rockhampton QLD 4702
Ph. 07 4930 9745
Fax. 07 4930 9279
Email: CQU Branch Organiser
Office Hours are: 8:45am - 4:45pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays.
For all enquiries contact the CQU Branch Organiser, Dan Coughlan, as above.
For industrial advice CQU members can also contact Angela Scheers or Bill Danby at the division office 07 3846 2355. Take a look at the website on: http://www.nteu.org.au//bd/qld.
Branch Executive
Introducing the Branch Executive| Branch Committee | Elected officers and their contact details. |
| Branch Strategic Plan 2008-2009 | The Branch Strategic Plan 2008-2009 was endorsed by the Committee at its meeting held on 9th July 2008. |
| 2007 Audited Branch Accounts | CQU Branch audited financial accounts for the year ended 30th June 2007. |
Our Universities Matter
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
- Attend the local launch - To be held on 14 August 2008 at 12 noon, Building 32, 1.28, Rockhampton campus.
- Visit the Road Show at your campus from 12 noon to 2pm -
13 August Gladstone On campus
14 August Rockhampton Library (west) lawn
15 August Mackay Building 1 Courtyard.
- 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.
- 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.
Bradley Review
Submitted on the 5 August 2008 the NTEU CQU branch submission makes comment on issues impacting on CQU. The National office of the NTEU will make a sector-wide response.| CQU Branch submission | CQU Branch responds frankly on the impacts of inadequate funding, competition and other factors on CQU. |
CQU Strategic Plan & Policy Reviews
The feedback has been submitted on behalf of NTEU CQU branch members. It is the result of consultation sessions facilitated by the Branch with a number of staff working in a diverse range of areas throughout the University including academic, research and professional staff. In addition to possessing expertise in strategic planning these staff are genuinely concerned for the well-being of the University.The genuine concern for the University has prompted a number recommendations from staff to be seriously considered by university management.
| Branch response to Draft Job Evaluation policy | CQU Branch response on behalf of members. |
| Draft Job Evaluation policy with NTEU proposed changes | Draft Job Evaluation policy document with proposed NTEU changes tracked. |
| Branch response to PRPD policy review | |
| Branch response to Performance Reward and Recognition policy | |
| Branch response to Draft CQU Strategic Plan 2008-2012 | NTEU CQU branch feedback on the CQUniversity Draft Strategic Plan 2008-2012 |
CQUniversity Viability Audit
Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard MP and Queensland Minister for Education and Training announced a joint government viability audit of CQUniversity.| Central Queensland University under review - 8 May 2008 | Article airing the audit by Craig Johnstone in the Courier Mail. |
| CQU's future to be reviewed - 8 May 2008 | An article on the review also appeared in ABC news online. |
| CQU facing challenges - 7 May 2008 | A response by CQU Vice Chancellor John Rickard in the Higher Education section of The Australian. |
| Voracious VCs must be curbed - 28 April 2008 | An opinion piece in The Australian by Griffith U historian, Professor Ross Fitzgerald, commenting in part on the financial viability audit to be conducted at CQU. |
Research Staff @ CQU campaign
| Research Training | The specific challenges faced by regional universities in building strong research capacity. |
| CQU Research Network | If you are a research intensive staff member or concerned about research capacity at CQU join the CQU Research network |
Federal Court case against CQU senior management for breach of agreement
On 9 September 2007 the NTEU initiated proceedings in theFederal Court over the expiry of 34 fixed term contracts and the University'sintention to end 200 contracts without consultation in June 2007. The action isagainst Central Queensland University and Vice Chancellor JohnRickard. A directions hearing was held in Brisbane on 30 November 2007.
The Federal Court decision against the University was brought down by SeniorDeputy President Richards on 11 April 2008.
| Federal Court decision (NTEU vs CQU) - Friday 11 April 2008 | The Federal Court decision was brought against CQU for breach of its industrial obligations contained within the Union Collective Agreements on 11 April 2008. |
| Federal Court case - Directions hearing 12 March 2008 | Attached is the transcript for the directions hearing. |
| Federal Court directions hearing on CQU Staff reductions - 30 Oct 2007 | The Federal Court case is at the stage where a penalty aginst the University will be awarded. |
| Lee's message to members - 15 Oct 2007 | The QLD Division Secretary, Margaret Lee's, message to union members at CQU sent 16 October 2007. |
| Federal Court case commenced - Letter 9 Sept 2007 | Documents initiating the Federal Court case were served on the Vice Chancellor and CQU on Tuesday 4 September at 12.00 noon. Read about the union's reasons. |
| How this dispute affects you - 18 June 2007 | The NTEU is starting legal action in the Federal Court and seeking redress in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) for breach of the Union Collective Agreement in the downsizing of CQU's workforce. |
Organisational Review
| CQU Organisational Restructure homepage - 8 Jan 2008 | University senior management have provided a Significant Change Proposal as a basis to map the organisational restructure necessary to cope with the university's financial downturn. This page provides a website link to all relevant documents. |
Collective Bargaining in 2008
The branch is preparing for collective bargaining in 2008. We will add to this section as the branch's resources develop throughout the year. The branch's contact for enterprise bargaining are Dr Rob McDougall (07) 4930 9486 and Dr John Fitzsimmons (07) 4930 9282. You can also email your concerns to the branch organiser at nteu-cqu@cqu.edu.au.
| Why bargain at CQU now? | Attached is a modification of the powerpoint slide that the industrial officer Angela Scheers has presented to university staff around a number of universities. |
| Letter to members | Attached is Margaret Lee's letter to members about collective bargaining in 2008. |
Staff Consultative Committee (SCC)
The Staff Consultative Committee (SCC) is the instrument through which the Union Collective Agreements, academic and general, are implemented. The SCC is one way for staff members to keep informed about issues that affect the university at a policy level. You can view a list of staff representatives on the CQU website: http://facultysite.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=4665You can read previous minutes at the following site: http://facultysite.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=4672
For more up to the minute feedback, you can also join an SCC mailing list: http://mailman.cqu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/scc-feedback
| 18 June SCC Report |
Branch News
The CQU Branch aims to publish an e-Bulletin to members on a fortnightly frequency. The E-Bulletin communicates news to members regularly.| e-Bulletin | The latest e-bulletins published by the CQU Branch to keep members up to date with the latest news on events at CQUniversity. |
| Branch Newsletter | |
| 'CQU: Our University' shirts | The branch now has a polo-shirt incorporating the branch logo and the slogan 'CQU: Our University'. If you're interested in purchasing a shirt, please contact the organiser on 4930 9282. |
Get Involved
When you join the NTEU you also join a group of work colleagues who are genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of CQUniversity and its most valuable attribute, its staff. Your views, concerns and ideas will be heard in a range of union fora, such as meetings, forums, social occasions, or by simply contacting the branch organiser. You will be most welcome to attend any of these events.Here are some other ways you can help to build the strength of your union.
| Ways to build up your union |
Join us today!
NTEU
members can seek assistance from the union on any matter related to the
relationship between the member and their employer. The NTEU provides
for you a professional industrial service including detailed advice,
support and formal representation.
In addition to individual service the union organisation is here to bring members together, to listen to your views, concerns and ideas, to bring relevant information to the table and to take your message to the appropriate authority, whether it is internal or external to the university, until it is heard.
The
NTEU is a professional association representing the interests of its
members at local, state and national levels through policy submissions,
lobbying, as well as an industrial association that looks after the
workplace rights of its members including representation on bodies such
as the Staff ConsultativeCommittee, and in industrial matters.
| Did you notice your pay rise in February 2008? | The CQU 2005 to 2008 Union Collective Agreements delivered gains for all staff, including 20 weeks paid parental leave and pay increases of 11% over 2 years. If you are a member, feel free to pass on the attached flyer to non-member colleagues. |
Workplace Contacts Network
The branch has replaced its delegate structure with a workplace contact network of staff who have a variety of skills and levels of support that they are willing to contribute to the branch. This might be putting union posters up in your work area or building, forwarding emails amongst colleagues, or assisting the organiser in recruitment drives.
The organiser and branch executive are always interested in new ideas regarding campaigns and branch activities. If you would like to have a greater involvement with the union at CQU, please contact the organiser and join the contacts network.
Casuals & Sessional Staff Network
| Casuals and Sessionals booklet | A handbook for casual and sessional academics |
Photo Galleries
A photo gallery of NTEU CQU Branch members at branch events.
| Close the Gap forum - 22 April 2008 | Nulloo Yumbah and the NTEU jointly ran a forum on Indigenous social disadvantage at the Rockhampton campus on 22 April 2008 in line with the National Close the Gap campaign day. |
| CQU Candidates Forum - 16 Nov 2007 | Friday 16 November 2007 CQU hosted a Candidates Forum for candidates and representatives for the seat of Capricornia on higher education issues. |
| Reclaiming our Universities - 25 Oct 2007 | At Rockhampton on 25 October 2007 the NTEU QLD President Andrew Bonnell provided a well-considered presentation about changes to the higher education sector over the last two decades and what this means for CQU. Dr Jim McAllister was also conferred lifetime membership of the union. |
| Multicultural Fair 12 August 2007 | CQU Rockhampton campus hosts the Multicultural Fair each year. This is a tremednous way to celebrate Rockhampton's cultural diversity. This year the Fair is happening on Sunday 12 August 2007. The NTEU will be there with flyers, merchandise, drinks, free balloons and a free union 'Fair bag'. Drop by and say hello. |
| National Day of Community Protest | Regional attendance at the National Day of Community Protest was outstanding with many of our members taking time off work to show their support. |
| Labour Day | |
| Multicultural Fair 2004 | The NTEU CQU Branch stall at the 2004 Fair was organised on the theme 'A Strong University = A Strong Community'. |