Victorian College of the Arts Sub-branch
Welcome to the NTEU VCA sub-branch website
NTEU members at the Victorian College of the Arts
are automatically members of the University of Melbourne Branch.
This website provides information specifically for members of the
VCA sub-branch. The University of Melbourne Branch website is
http://www.nteu.org.au/bd/melbourne
Get involved
The VCA sub-branch has a local committee, which is elected
every two years by the members at VCA.
2008 is an election year and VCA members who are interested in
getting elected to the VCA sub-branch or the University
of Melbourne
branch can contact Christine Holmes, VCA sub-branch Secretary,
caholmes@unimelb.edu.au or
Vicki Mimis, University of Melbourne branch Executive Officer,
v.mimis@unimelb.edu.au for
more information.
Collective Bargaining
2008 will also see the Branch involved with negotiations for a new
collective agreement. For more information on collective
bargaining, see below.
3% Pay increase
As part of Union's previous agreement with your employer,
a 3% payrise is due at the end of March 2008 for all VCA
General Staff and Academic Staff. This payrise and the maintenance
of crucial conditions of employment have only been made possible by
NTEU and its members, particularly in the face of sustained attacks
on our sector by the previous Federal government. Now is a very
good time to encourage your colleagues to join the union.
Collective Bargaining
Collective bargaining in 2008, what does it mean for you?
NTEU will be negotiating new Collective Agreements at many universities in 2008. Under the Howard government’s WorkChoices and HEWRRs, collective bargaining in universities was extremely difficult. University funding was tied to industrial outcomes that reduced the entitlements of staff and our unions.
The election of an ALP Government provides an opportunity for bargaining to occur in a different political and industrial environment. The new Rudd government has announced legislation to revoke the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs), elements of WorkChoices will be wound back and Commonwealth funding levels to Universities have some chance of being improved. The unprecedented interference in the management of universities experienced during the Howard era is unlikely to be a hallmark of the new federal government. These external changes mean NTEU members can be optimistic about a reclaiming and restoring conditions through local workplace negotiations.
Preparing for bargaining
The University of Melbourne Branch and the VCA sub-branch are currently involved in the development of a national strategy and campaign for collective bargaining. It is expected that a single agreement will cover all staff at the University of Melbourne, including VCA staff. NTEU negotiators will be making claims for improvements in working conditions at all Australian universities. These claims will reflect national priorities as well as issues identified as local priorities by members in each Branch. However, your Union is only as strong as the members in the workplace. So what can you do to help get the best outcome from Collective bargaining at your institution?
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Recruit your Colleagues
Collective bargaining is influenced by the quality of the arguments put forward by each side. But strength of numbers is just as important. The more staff that are in the Union, the stronger the voice of the Union is as the representative of staff. More members = a stronger voice at the bargaining table.
Collective bargaining also takes time and resources. Negotiators usually have another full time job at the University. Research into the finances of the University requires expertise. Simply holding a meeting of members on campus at lunchtime incurs costs. The financial resources of the NTEU come from membership dues. More members = more resources.
Now is the perfect time for your colleagues to join NTEU, and the most potent invitation to join comes from a co-worker.
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Find out about the bargaining process
Contact your local Branch to have a union representative explain how Collective bargaining works. Your Branch can arrange a department/faculty information session to give a useful overview of everything to do with bargaining, from what we include in our demands to when and why we consider taking industrial action.
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Make your opinion count
NTEU is seeking members’ views on a range of matters. Already a national online survey has been conducted and the results will be analysed and incorporated into the National Bargaining Strategy. Local consultations will be held via campus meetings and smaller workplace meetings, so that members can inform NTEU of the issues that are important to you. If you have any comment or contribution to the bargaining discussion, contact VCA sub-branch Secretary, Christine Holmes, caholmes@unimelb.edu.au As bargaining progresses, the union relies on continual briefing and feedback from members about the best way to win better conditions at your Institution.
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Elect a Union contact
The collective bargaining process requires communication between members and negotiators for ongoing advice and strategy feedback. A network of NTEU Workplace Bargaining Contacts will be set up early in the process. Talk to your colleagues about ensuring a representative in your area has been identified and contact your local Branch at unimelb@nteu.org.au if you are interested in assisting with this network.
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Stay informed
NTEU prioritises keeping members informed throughout the collective bargaining process. The University of Melbourne Branch will produce regular bulletins in the lead up to and during negotiations with Management. National and State bulletins will also give updates on what is happening in other Institutions. NTEU’s national and state journals, The Advocate and Nexus will report regularly on progress made in bargaining. The most immediate source of information about local negotiations will be on your Branch website. http://www.nteu.org.au/bd/melbourne Find the pages dedicated to bargaining and bookmark them.