University of Wollongong Branch
NTEU is a specialist national union solely representing staff in tertiary education. NTEU represents academic and research staff, general staff, ELICOS teachers, staff of Student Unions and university companies, and in Victoria, TAFE staff.
- About the Branch
- What's On
- Collective Bargaining 2008
- Our Universities Matter
- Campaign Against AWAs
- Federal Election 2007
- Latest News
- Branch Newsletter & E-Bulletins
- Delegates
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Join the NTEU
- Casuals
- Women and the NTEU
- Indigenous
- Queer
- Links
About the Branch
The University of Wollongong Branch Office is located in building 19 room 1043. The Branch has one full-time staff member as well as an Industrial Officer who is based in the State Office in Surry Hills.
Contact details for the Branch and the Branch Industrial Organiser, Jo Kowalczyk*:
PH: (02) 4221 3701 FAX: (02) 4221 4331
E-MAIL: joannek@uow.edu.au
Contact details for the Industrial Officer, Lance Dale:
PH: (02) 9212 5433 FAX: (02) 9212 4090
E-MAIL: lance.dale@nsw.nteu.org.au
*Jo is often required to work outside the branch office and as such the office is not always attended. Please leave either a voice message or an email.
| Contact the branch executive | Contact details for the NTEU Wollongong Branch executive members 2006-2008. |
What's On
| October 2008 | 2nd-4th: NTEU National Council/ 2nd: Campaign Committee Meeting/ 9th: Australia for Sale - Privatisation Conference/ 9th: SCLC Annual Dinner/ 10th: SCLC Annual Conference |
| September 2008 | 11th: Meeting of Casuals Network/ 18th: General Meeting of Members/ 19th: Meeting of Campaign Committee/ 25th: Al Fresco Bargaining/ 25th: Kirby Lecture - Julian Burnside QC/ 29th: Paid Maternity Leave Campaign Launch |
| August 2008 | 1st: Community Infrastructure Summit/ 5th: Local Launch of Our Universities Matter Campaign/ 9th: APHEDA Dinner, South Coast/ 14th: General Meeting of Members/ 26th: Women and Finances/ 28th: Screening of Constructing Fear/29th: Lunch and Learn Series - Casuals |
| July 2008 | 30th: Public Sector Rally, Wollongong |
| April 2008 | 2nd: Faculty of Commerce Meeting/ 3rd: Buildings and Grounds Meeting/ 8th: General Staff Classification/ 9th: Academic Promotion Seminar/ 9th: Faculty of Arts Meeting/ 15th: Delegates Meeting/ 23rd: General Meeting |
| March 2008 | 5th: General Meeting/ 13th: Meeting of NTEU Delegates/ 18th: Meeting of Casual Staff/ 19th: Meeting of NTEU Women |
| AWA Information Session | 12:30pm Tuesday 5/2/08 |
| Federal Election Candidates' Forum | 5:30pm Thursday 8/10/07 |
| Indigenous Staff Meeting re Indigenous Employment Strategy | 12:30pm Thursday 18/10/07 |
| Reclassification Sessions | Information sessions - all general staff 17/10/07; NTEU members only 18/10/07 |
| Indigenous Staff Lunch | 12:30pm Friday 14/9/07 |
| Forum - Workplace Bullying | NTEU Forum on Workplace Bullying 2/8/07 |
| Forum - Your Health and Safety at Work: Who is responsible? | NTEU Forum on Health and Safety at Work 1/8/07 |
| General meetings (all staff) | 14/3/07 and 21/3/07 |
Collective Bargaining 2008
This page contains current enterprise agreements that apply to members of the NTEU Wollongong Branch.
The Teachers Agreement at Wollongong College Australia (WCA) - formerly WUC is in the final stages of renegotiation.
The academic and general staff agreements expire at the end of this year and preparations for the next round of bargaining have begun in earnest.
HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED:
- Make your voice heard. Bookmark the 'What's On' page to keep abreast of meeting dates, times and topics.
- Become a delegate. If your work area does not currently have a delegate, why not consider putting your hand up. Contact the Branch Office for more information.
- Recruit a colleague. The Union is only as strong as its members so why not talk to a non-member today about joining with you to make your Union stronger.
- Stay informed. Members will have access to information around bargaining through e-bulletins, newsletters, the Advocate and the Branch website as well as by attending meetings.
The next general meeting of members is 12:30pm Thursday 18 September room 19.G016. See the 'What's On' section for more details.
| Taking bargaining to Uni Council | 1pm Friday 17 October, outside administration (building 36) |
| Al fresco bargaining | The first al fresco bargaining session held on Thursday 25 September 2008 |
| General Meeting 18 September 2008 | Outcomes of meeting of members held at 12:30pm Thursday 18 September 2008. |
| Local petition | Download a copy of the petition calling on the University of Wollongong management to commence immediate negotiations with the NTEU and restore conditions lost under the last federal government but restored by the current one. |
| New Agreement for University of Ballarat | Unions and management negotiate a new Agreement for staff at the University of Ballarat. |
| General Meeting 14 August 2008 | Outcomes of meeting of members |
| General Meeting 23 April 2008 | General Meeting leaflet |
| Log of Claims | Log of claims as served on the management of the University of Wollongong, 30 May 2008. |
| University of Wollongong (Academic Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2005 | The final draft of the academic enterprise agreement certified by the Australian Industrial Relations COmmission on 29 November 2005. |
| ITC Teachers' Enterprise Agreement 2004 | Enterprise Agreement that covers teachers employed by the Illawarra Technology Corporation. |
| University of Wollongong (General Staff)Enterprise Agreement 2005 | The final draft of the general staff enterprise agreement certified by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 29 November 2005. |
Our Universities Matter
NTEU campaign for a better higher education system
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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:
- Achieving higher levels of government funding and better funding mechanisms.
- The protection of university independence and freedom of inquiry.
- Controls on excessive workloads, better job security and a competitive pay rise for university staff.
- A better deal for students around affordability and improved student services.
All 39 Australian public universities will negotiate new Collective Agreements during 2008–09, which will set salary levels and employment conditions for staff for the next three years.
The campaign will link our Collective Bargaining directly with the broader public discussions about the higher education sector’s future.
For more information on the campaign go to http://www.nteu.org.au/campaigns/ouruniversitiesmatter
HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
- Attend the local launch. The Branch is hosting a public forum titled ‘Our Universities Matter – Why Regional Communities Need Strong Universities’ at 12:30pm Tuesday 5 August on the Duckpond Lawn. Guest speakers include NTEU National President Dr Carolyn Allport and UoW Vice Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton.
- Sign the petition. Go to the website and sign the national petition which calls on the Federal Government to improve university funding; improve access to universities; and legislate to protect academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
- Bookmark the website. Save the campaign website in your favourites and refer back to it on a regular basis to stay up to date with campaign events.
- Distribute material. Download material from the website or contact the Branch and we can arrange for you to receive material that can be distributed amongst your colleagues.
- Sign the statement on academic freedom and institutional autonomy. If you are a senior academic or general staff member go to the website and sign the statement.
BE ACTIVE. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
| Wollongong Campaign Launch | Launch held 12:30pm Tuesday 5 August |
| Lunch and Learn Series | A new series of short sessions aimed at assisting members to understand particular claims. |
Campaign Against AWAs
Click on the links below for further information about the NTEU campaign against AWAs at the University of Wollongong including background to the campaign, reasons why the AWAs being offered are inferior and media coverage of the campaign.
STOP PRESS The Commonwealth Workplace Ombudsman has announced a further investigation into the NTEU's allegations that the University of Wollongong has contravened the Workplace Relations Act 1996 by breaching the Enterprise Agreement. For more info go to the media centre on the Workplace Ombudsman's website.
| Newsletter | AWA newsletter to all staff February 2008 |
| Information for all staff | AWA-Only Employment Illegal Says Workplace Ombudsman |
| Background to the campaign | Background information - AWAs offered in the Graduate School of Medicine |
| Media | National media release Tuesday 8 January/Media stories Wednesday 9 January/Statement of support from ACTU |
| Public Notice | Notice in Illawarra Mercury Wednesday 9 January 2008. |
| Reasons to stick with the Enterprise Agreement | Four big reasons to stay covered by the enterprise agreement plus information on why the AWA is inferior. |
Federal Election 2007
Your Rights @ Work - the biggest campaign in history of the movement -culminated in a stunning defeat of the Howard Government at the 2007 Federal Election which even saw the Prime Minister lose his own seat of Bennelong.
November 24 2007 was the day the voting public loudly and convincingly told the Howard Government that their right wing ideology which spawned such attacks as WorkChoices was not worth voting for.
But the campaigning and the hard work does not end there. We must continue to put pressure on the new Government to wind back the regressive laws enacted by the previous Government in respect of industrial relations and we must continue to lobby for an adequately funded higher education sector which is accessible for all.
| Presidential Message | A message from NTEU National President Dr Carolyn Allport |
| Report Card | NTEU/CAPA/NUS report card of the major political parties' higher education policies. |
| Education Policy Analysis | Analysis of the various higher education policies announced by the Coalition, the ALP, the Democrats and the Greens. |
| Candidates' Forum | 5:30pm Thursday 8 November |
| Candidates' Statements | Information about candidates running in seats containing a UoW campus. |
| Get involved | Find out how you can get involved in the lead up to the Federal Election |
Latest News
| Workload intensification | Union survey finds hard labour at the University |
| Senate Inquiry into Academic Freedom | NTEU Submission |
| UOW Sustainability Agenda | Your Union responds |
| Review of Australian Higher Education | Submissions invited until 31 July 2008. |
| Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Initative | NTEU's submission in response to the Australian Research Council's ERA Consultation Paper |
| Research Misconduct | NTEU concerns regarding the new Research Misconduct Policy endorsed by Academic Senate 19/9/07 |
| Pay Rise from 1 March 2007 | All University of Wollongong staff covered by the union-negotiated Enterprise Agreements will be receiving a 3% pay rise from 1 March 2007. |
| General Staff Representatives | The University of Wollongong (General Staff) Enterprise Agreement, 2005 provides for a number of elected staff representatives to represent general staff on various committees. Those committees include the Staff Consultative Committee and review committees for promotion and reclassification. |
| Academic Staff Representatives | The University of Wollongong (Academic Staff) Enterprise Agreement, 2005 provides for a number of elected staff representatives to represent academic staff on various committees. Those committees include the Staff Consultative Committee and review committees for promotion and probation appeals, unsatisfactory performance and misconduct |
| University Council Election | Voting for general staff position on Council opens Thursday |
| Faculty Workload Reference Groups | Elected staff representatives on the Faculty Workload Reference Groups. |
| Academic workload models | Frequently asked questions about academic workload models |
Branch Newsletter & E-Bulletins
�| E-Bulletins 2008 | |
| October 2008 | Fighting for the rights of casual and sessional staff * Casual pay rates * Casuals network * Up the garden path * Casual demonstrators speak up * Casual focus * Casually employed, casually treated |
| February 2008 | Restore University Staff Rights * Anti-AWA Campaign * Enterprise Bargaining 2008 |
| November 2007 | EB - the countdown begins * Bargaining at WCA in final stages * Delegate focus * Government assault on academic freedom * Casual pay rates * General staff reclassification * NTEU wine club |
Delegates
Over the years many NTEU members have volunteered as local delegates and contacts for the Union. Your work ensures that the Union has remained connected to staff across the University and especially in your workplace.
Recently, the NTEU has committed to commence a project to revitalise our local structures to ensure a functioning Delegates Network at each University branch. As part of this we are formalising the status of NTEU workplace delegates across the University.
Elections have now been held and a number of members have been declared elected.
| Training and Development | NTEU is committed to providing a variety of training and development sessions tailored for delegates at the Wollongong Branch. |
| Role of Delegates | |
| Work Area Delegates | List of current work area delegates |
Occupational Health and Safety
This page contains information about Occupational Health and Safety issues relevant to members.
For information about current events on this issue go to the What's On page.
| OHS Survey | NTEU members and non-members are encouraged to complete this short online survey to inform the NTEU's work around occupational health and safety issues. |
| OHS and ACTU | A new charter of workplace rights for occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation that sets out the minimum health and safety and compensation standards has been launched by the ACTU (June 2007). |
| Occupational Stress and Workloads | NTEU has been involved in a number of studies exploring the increase in workloads and stress experienced by university staff over the past decade. |
| University OHS Committee | The NTEU is represented on the University Occupational Health & Safety Committee by NTEU Executive member Pieter Moerkerken. Click on this link to contact Pieter or read his reports. |
Join the NTEU
Join the NTEU
There are hundreds of reasons for joining the only union working exclusively inthe tertiary education sector and these are just some of them. The NTEU:
- has a Branch Office on campus, providing quick & easy access for members
- unites general and academic staff
- is the only union covering academic staff and is the largest union covering general staff
- has a democratic and effective structure, giving members a voice in the way the Union operates
- gives tertiary education workers an authoritative and expert voice in current debates about the funding, structure, and quality of Australian tertiary education;
- has a team of specialist research and industrial staff to maintain high-level expertiseon all aspects of the tertiary education system
- is active on a broad range of professional and industrial issues of concern to tertiary education workers, including Intellectual Property, Occupational Health and Safety andSuperannuation
- has specialist training staff who have developed a training program specifically for itsmembers
- has specialist recruitment and campaign staff who provide assistance direct to themembership
- provides its members with a wide range of services and benefits, from discounted tax andhealth services to a wide range of commercial discounts
Contact the branch office for further information or
| Membership Benefits | Information on membership benefits for NTEU members. |
| The Union for General Staff? |
Casuals
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 University of Wollongong 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.
The NTEU has produced a handbook for casual members called 'Smart Casuals - The NTEU handbook for casual staff' (newly updated in 2007)
The NTEU has also produced a website unicasual.com.au, a workplace information portal for Australian casual academic staff. This site contains details about your workplace rights, your obligations and those of your employers, and information on how NTEU can assist you.
If are a casual staff member and want to join, go to the 'join' section of this site
If you want further information contact the branch office and we can put you in touch with a delegate in your work area.
For a copy of the latest newsletter for casuals (October 2008) go to the Branch Newsletter section of this site.
| Survey of Casual Staff | Survey closes Friday 18 April 2008. |
| Pay and conditions | Pay and conditions for casual staff members of the University of Wollongong. |
Women and the NTEU
WOMEN AND THE NTEU
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 theUnion's enterprise bargaining teams, and contribute to the development of the Union’sstrategy. The Union has been a leader in many areas concerning women and theirprofessional 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 inAustralia, and this has encouraged a broader commitment to pay equity within the labourmovement. At a national level, the NTEU Women’s Action Committee and the annualWomen’s Conference develop this work.
The Women's Officer for the NTEU Wollongong Branch is Penney McFarlane penney@uow.edu.au . The Branch alsohas an e-mail list nteu_women@uow.edu.au which can be used to contact women within the Branch.
Click hereto get Information on what the union is doing nationally.
SOUTH COAST LABOUR COUNCIL WOMEN'S COMMITTEE
The South Coast Labour Council Women's Committee is open to all women members of the NTEU. The Committee meets monthly alternating formal meetings with social events or training/information sessions. For more information contact the Chair of the Committee Jo Kowalczyk.
Indigenous
INDIGENOUS
The NTEU National Office employs a full-time Indigenous Officer and is developing a range of policies and campaigns around Indigenous employment issues in tertiary education.
Contacts:
National Indigenous Officer Adam Frogley
Indigenous Project Officer Gregg Fryer
Indigenous Tertiary Education Policy Committee (ITPEC) Chair Terry Mason
For further information on the Union's work nationally go to the website.
LATEST NEWS: Indigenous staff at Wollongong will be reviewing the Indigenous Employment Strategy, both at Wollongong and other universities, with a view to the next round of enterprise bargaining in 2008. For more information go to the What's On section
Queer
Queer Unionists in Tertiary Education(QUTE)
The NTEU has a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and intersex members(collectively referred to here as queer) who are working to raise the profile of issues of sexualityin the workplace and within the NTEU.
For information on how to get involved in QUTE, contact the National Convenors throughNTEU National Office on (03) 9254 1910 or nteunat@nteu.org.au or go to the website
Links
A list of useful links for NTEU members
| Useful Links |