No substantial progress in Collecive Bargaining - November 26th
Unfortunately no significant progress has been made in progressing bargaining at Flinders since our last advice to members on the 10 November.
The University continues to resist reinstating numerous employment conditions, disallowed by the Howard Governments HEWRR provisions, such as limits on the use and amount of casual employment and the requirement to negotiate with the NTEU if the University wishes to vary key employment conditions e.g. promotion criteria.
Also, the University is persisting with its claims to all but abolish the right of general staff to seek a review of their classification if they believe they are under-classified and to reintroduce the equivalent of a deeming system for academic annual recreation leave.
On the 17 November, the NTEU provided the University with a consolidated document which detailed the outcomes required to finalise negotiations. This document reflected the Agreements which are now being achieved around the sector.
FLINDERS BELONGS TO AN INCREASINGLY SMALL GROUP OF UNIVERSITIES WHO ARE NOT REACHING AGREEMENT
During November, it has become increasingly clear that there are a small group of Universities where bargaining is not progressing. Flinders, unfortunately, is one of these.
Another characteristic of this group of Universities is that they are prepared to be active in the following alternative ways.
1. Mounting legal challenges - all unsuccessful - to try and stop NTEU members taking protected industrial action to progress their bargaining claims e.g. UniSA, Murdoch, RMIT.
2. Advising that they will stand down any NTEU member without pay - if they implement the ban on transmission of assessment or exam results e.g. UNSW.
Unfortunately, the Flinders VC by letter of 17 November advised the NTEU that the University would be undertaking the action in 2 above i.e. standing down members without pay.
The Branch views this as an extremely serious development.
SUPPORT THE BANS AND YOUR COLLEAGUES
A number of members have indicated a willingness to implement the ban on transmission of assessment and exam results.
The NTEU is now asking all members who are able to support this ban. This support can be demonstrated by either implementing the ban themselves or if required to provide a donation to support any member who is stood down.
Members who have advised they will implement the ban will be sent a detailed separate information about this issue.
EXEMPTIONS COMMITTEE AGREES TO BLANKET EXEMPTION FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS.
The Exemptions Committee has agreed, at the request of the University, to provide a blanket exemption to the ban on transmission of student results for any graduating student.
The Committee which considers and approves requests for exemptions to the ban to ensure there is no undue hardship or endangerment of student welfare has also granted a number of individual exemptions.
If you wish to apply for an exemption, please send us an email with the details of the topic and the reasons why an exemption should be granted.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Please contact us by return email or by phoning ext 12656 if you have any questions or comments about this advice.
Michael Brunger
Flinders Branch President
NTEU
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Branch Contacts
Branch Office
ECL 3.025 South Street Campus
Murdoch University
Phone: 08 9360 2922
Fax: 08 9360 6587
nteu@murdoch.edu.au
http://www.nteu.org.au/murdoch
Anne Price
Branch President
a.price@murdoch.edu.au
Beth Cole
Branch Organiser
bcole@nteu.org.au
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