La Trobe University Branch
Welcome to the La Trobe University branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). The NTEU is the Union that represents the industrial and professional interests of all university staff.
Our main office is located at Shop10C, the Agora, Bundoora Campus (next to the Commonwealth Bank). Phone 9479 2124. FAX 9479 1503. nteu@latrobe.edu.au .
- Collective Agreement Negotiations
- Current Collective Agreements
- Quality Assurance of Units
- Green Paper
- Branch Newsletters
- Regional Review
- The Branch Committee
- Branch Location & Contact Details
- How Do I Become a Member?
- Branch Accounts
- Branch History
- National NTEU Campaign Update
- UniSuper
- La Trobe University Human Resources Manual
- Community Announcements
- Useful Links
Collective Agreement Negotiations
NTEU has commenced collective bargaining around the country with all logs of claims submitted by 30 May 08. The claim outlines the broad framework of our negotiations. We are still seeking feedback on any specific concerns which members have about their working conditions. Please email your ideas to nteu@latrobe.edu.au .
| La Trobe Branch Log of Claims | Log of claims served on the University by the NTEU La Trobe Branch. |
| Current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement | |
| Perpetuating Howard's Requirements at La Trobe | Response to VC's message about NTEU bargaining claim. |
| VC's Statement on NTEU claim | 13 June - Forthcoming EBA Negotiation |
| Message from HR on bargaining | Mixed messages from management - see 22 July 08 newsletter for our response. |
Current Collective Agreements
Quality Assurance of Units
The University has decided to place a great deal more emphasis upon the quality assurance of units. The NTEU La Trobe Branch is working to ensure that instruments are properly validated and that student evaluations are not the sole measure of teaching performance. Management has committed to meeting with us and the new DVC (Academic) in the New Year to discuss the QAU issue so please keep sending feedback to nteu@latrobe.edu.au .
| New QAU system for 2009 | Meeting on 16 June 08 with DVC Academic and PVC Curriculum and Academic Planning to discuss a new student evaluation and quality assurance of units system. |
| Reply to Uni from Branch on QAU | After consultations with members the Branch responded in writing to the University on 22 November 2007. |
| Response from Uni on QAU | After a meeting with Branch respresentatives the University responded in writing on 1 November 2007. |
| Summary of QAU feedback from NTEU members | The following is a summary of feedback to the Branch from union members about the QAU instruments. |
| NTEU La Trobe Branch response on QAU results | E-mail sent on to members from the NTEU La Trobe Branch on 29-10-07. |
| VC's QAU e-mail to the Deans | E-mail from the VC to the Deans sent on 26 October 2007. |
Green Paper
The Vice-Chancellor is consulting on a Green Paper which will change the direction of the University. To let the Branch know your views on the Green Paper e-mail: nteu@latrobe.edu.au .
Please note that some of the information in this section can only be viewed by NTEU members, who will need to log in with their password.
| Academic Staff Workloads | Excerpt from the La Trobe University Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2004-2008 (emphasis added). |
| Branch Submission | NTEU La Trobe Branch submission on the Green Paper |
| Albury-Wodonga sub-Branch submission | Albury-Wodonga sub-Branch submission on the Green Paper |
| Bendigo sub-Branch submission | Bendigo sub-Branch submission on the Green Paper |
| Language Centre NTEU members submission | Submission on the Green Paper from NTEU members in the Language Centre |
| Shepparton campus submission | PowerPoint presentation by members at the Shepparton Campus on the Green Paper |
| Individual submission on the Green Paper | Individual submission from Dr Susan Lawler |
| Individual submission on the Green Paper | Individual submission by Eileen Clark, Albury-Wodonga campus |
| Individual submission on the Green Paper | Submission from NTEU La Trobe Branch President, Bill Deller, including personal reflections about the future direction of the University, and addressing a number of issues that have been left out of the Green Paper. |
| VC Green Paper Meetings | Notes taken from five Green Paper meetings run by the VC. |
| Cluster Funding | Memorandum to the union about cluster funding and the importance of correct subject classification. |
| Cluster Funding advice | Attachment 1. Assigning Unit Discipline IP |
| Cluster Funding advice | Attachment 2. Unit discipline classification guidelines. |
| NTEU welcomes La Trobe University Green Paper but awaits details | Media Release |
Branch Newsletters
In the 22 July 2008 issue:
- LTU COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
- UNION MEETING TIMES
- HEALTH AND SAFETY REP ELECTIONS
- TAX STATEMENTS ONLINE
- 2008 TAX GUIDE
- BRANCH ELECTION RESULTS
| E-Bulletin 22 July 2008 | Update on LTU Collective Agreement, Union meeting times, health and safety representatives, tax statements online, 2008 tax guide, branch election results. |
| E-Bulletin 17 June 2008 | In this issue there are updates on quality assurance of units, the general staff freeze, new director HR, union aid abroad raffle, branch accounts. |
| E-Bulletin 15 April 2008 | Updates on enterprise bargaining; joint venture proposal; union aid abroad raffle; regional student participation; centralised leave fund. |
| E-Bulletin 12 December 2007 | This edition includes articles on Quality Assurance of Units, Annual Leave and the Budget Model, Protest Letter to Rudd Government, Indigenous Employment Strategy, UniSuper Committee pending vacancy, Graeme Nyberg's farewell, Tribute to Ross Phillips |
| E-Bulletin 22 October 2007 | Updates on academic workload guidelins; council elections; health and safety vacancies; Politics Society Annual Dinner; nurses dispute; marginal seats campaign; election comedy; Members Equity Bank. |
| E-Bulletin 25 September 2007 | This issue includes updates on the Shadow Budget Plan, Research Code of Conduct, IR Rally, ASRC Food Appeal, events for Indigenous Week 2007, Sessional academic survey, ME bank. |
| E-Bulletin 6 September 2007 | This issue includes updates on the Budget Confusion, Workplace Productivity Program, Green Paper Consultations, Health and Safety Reps Network, ARC Grants Vetoed by Nelson |
| E-Bulletin 7 August 2007 | Includes an update about the VC's Green Paper, cluster funding issues, tax statements, July pay rise, Politics Society Event, Members Equity Bank visits La Trobe. |
| E-Bulletin 5 July 2007 | This issue includes a welcome to our new staff member, VC's Green Paper,questions about expenditure on one staff member, conflict of interest questions, electoral act changes. |
| E-Bulletin 21 May 2007 | Includes information on RQF Exit Packages, Bendigo Media Services Restructure, Sessional Academics' Conference, CHASS Conference, Jemma's Fund. |
| E-Bulletin 30 March 2007 | Includes an update on the Psychological Sciences restructure, changes to superannuation post July, union and community family day, workplace stress, and the APESMA Women in the Professions Survey 2007. |
| E-Bulletin 7 March 2007 | Includes an update on the Workplace Productivity Programme, casual rights campaign, enrol to vote campaign, RQF, heat and humidity. |
| E-Bulletin 5 December 2006 | Includes an update on the Workplace Productivity Programme, information about annual leave planning and photos and video from the Nov 30 MCG Your Rights at Work Rally. |
| E-Bulletin 23 November 2006 | Includes an update on the Residential Services Review, how to get converted from contract to ongoing employment, Sydney Uni AWA alert, and Branch Accounts. |
| E-Bulletin 2 November 2006 | Includes information about the 30 Nov Your Rights at Work Rally, Branch President's Report, information about six restructures, the new Branch Committee. |
Regional Review
La Trobe University Council has ordered a review of its regional strategy and investment in regional Victoria. For the Regional Review website and Issues Paper, click here.
| NTEU Welcomes Decision on La Trobe Regional Campuses | Media Release - 12 December 2006 |
| NTEU Regional Review Submission | This submission outlines the Union’s position in relation to achieving the Review’s objectives around quality, research, financial sustainability and ongoing community engagement. |
| Cover Letter to Members | Note to members outlining the general thrust of the submission. |
| Community Response | Community leaders have expressed concern that the University may withdraw resources from its regional campuses. A public rally involving some 300 people was held in Shepparton, and a public meeting was held in Bendigo attracting 200 people to the Town Hall. This section lists some of the regional media on the issue. |
| Terms of Reference | The NTEU La Trobe Branch wrote to the University seeking terms of reference for the Regional Review. The University responded in writing and posted a dedicated website. |
The Branch Committee
The Branch Committee and Executive are elected from the Branch membership every two years. The next election will place between May and August 2008.
The 2006-2008 Branch Executive are as follows:
Branch Executive: Bill Deller (Branch President), Associate Professor Chris Palmer (Branch Secretary), Graham Murray (Vice President - general staff), Virginia Mansel Lees (Vice President – academic staff).
Committee Members: Kym Walker (Indigenous staff), Margaret Botterill (general staff), Dr Mary Martin (academic staff); Caroline Wright-Neville, Debra McKenzie, Dr Sean Slavin, Dr John Tebbutt, Dr Martin Fussell, Ian Tulloch, Dr Wendy Mee, Ann Copeland.
Albury-Wodonga sub-Branch: Virginia Mansel Lees (President), Chris Hoare (Secretary), Dr Martin Fussell (Vice President).
Bendigo sub-Branch: Ian Tulloch (President), Tracy Quick (Secretary), Dr Mary Martin (Vice President)
Branch Location & Contact Details
The Branch Office is open Monday through Friday and has a wealth of information on union membership – application forms, the benefits available to members, regular union publications and so on. Please feel free to call us or drop in any time.
Bundoora Branch Office:
Serena O'Meley & Karen Stancombe
Branch Industrial Organiser
Shop 10C, The Agora
Phone: 9479-2124
Fax: 9479-1503
Email: nteu@latrobe.edu.au
Bendigo Sub-branch:
Ian Tulloch
Sub Branch President
Room: Arts - Level 2, Room 3.06.
Sub-Branch Office: Business Building - Level 2 Room 2.16
Phone: 5444 7338
Email: itulloch@latrobe.edu.au
Wodonga Sub-branch:
Virginia Mansel Lees
Branch President
Health Sciences Building Room 6113
Phone:
Email: vmansellees@latrobe.edu.au
How Do I Become a Member?
The National Tertiary Education Industry Union is a specialist union solely representing staff in tertiary education.
All general staff members, academic and research staff members, university company staff members, and staff of student unions are eligible to join the NTEU.
Fees are set at 1% of salary which means the less you earn, the less you pay. Membership rates for casual staff members are lower. The fee for each member, excluding casuals, is divided between the Branch, Division and National levels of the Union.
Membership forms can be returned by internal mail or in person to the union office: NTEU La Trobe Branch Shop 10C, the Agora, Bundoora Campus (next to the Commonwealth Bank).
In addition to industrial representation your membership also entitles you to a range of discounts and services.
| Membership Form | |
| Casual Membership Form |
Branch Accounts
| Branch Accounts 2007 | General Purpose Financial Report for the Year ending 30 June 2007. |
Branch History
| Branch History 1967 - present | The Staff Association, which later became part of the National Tertiary Education union, was established at the same time as the University. Click on the link to read about the history of the institution and the union. |
National NTEU Campaign Update
The National Office of the union runs campaigns on a number of issues such as higher education funding, protecting higher educaton from the impact of free trade agreements, and academic freedom. To find out more please click here, this link takes you directly to the National Office Campaigns page.
UniSuper
UniSuper is the super fund for people working in the higher education and research sector.
The NTEU is represented on the Board of Directors by NTEU National Assistant Secretary, Ted Murphy.
There is currently a vacancy for the La Trobe University general staff representative, with nomination forms available from Ms Regi Pascoe, phone EXT1892. The close of nominations is on 5:00pm, Friday 08 February, 2008.
La Trobe University academic staff are currently represented by Associate Professor Graeme Nyberg who is retiring - please contact the NTEU La Trobe Branch if you are interested in nominating for this position in 2008.
For more information visit the UniSuper website.
| The role of staff representatives on UniSuper | Find out more about the role of UniSuper staff representatives and NTEU La Trobe Branch endorsement. |
| The Basics of UniSuper | A useful tutorial on UniSuper |
La Trobe University Human Resources Manual
La Trobe members interested in clarifying re-classification processes, the IPPPS program, HEO or Academic staff levels and their appropriate pay scales, leave entitlements, code of conduct, working conditions and a wealth of other important work related information should click here.
This link will take you directly to the Human Resources Manual for La Trobe University. There is a quick find index which saves time and makes your search easier.
For information on the 2.5% to 10% bonus available to staff at the top of their increment is available here for staff at HEO1-9 and here for HEO10.
For clarification of the the bonus and IPPPS Scheme, please contact either the Branch Industrial Organiser, Serena O'Meley, or the Branch President, Bill Deller.
Community Announcements
Each week the Victorian Division receives a list of notices from various agencies and organisations that might be of interest to our members.
If you would like to be added to the Community Announcements mailing list please e-mail Michael Evans at mevans@vic.nteu.org.au .
| Community Announcements 31 Oct 2006 | A typical Community Announcement e-mail. |
Useful Links
Some useful links to non-government organisations, union related sites and government sites are provided here. Their listing does not imply endorsement of their contents or the organisations' philosophies in any way.
| Union Links | Links to the ACTU, VTCH, ICFTU, Evatt Foundation, APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad, National University of East Timor - Library Project, ATUA, NIBS and on-line journals: LabourNet, and Workers Online |
| Government Links | Links to DEST, ARC, HREOC, AIRC, Parliament House and Victoria Online |
| NGO Links | Links to FoE, Liberty Victoria, AFTINET, Corporate Watch, Our Community |