INTERIM SYDNEY UNI AGREEMENT WINS NTEU 4% SALARY INCREASE
December 20 2002
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) this week concluded an Interim Agreement with Sydney University management on the current enterprise bargaining round that will ensure a 4% salary increase for staff in return for a commitment that no industrial action will be taken until May 1st 2003.
The Agreement struck between the NTEU and Sydney University Vice Chancellor Gavan Brown also provides for the protection of current conditions of employment, no job losses and a commitment from management to consult unions on finance and budgetary matters affecting the University.
“The Interim Agreement ensures certainty for staff at Sydney University until both management and the NTEU have a clear idea of the outcomes of the Federal Government’s review into Australia’s higher education system, expected to be released as part of the next Federal Budget in May 2003” NTEU General Secretary Mr Grahame McCulloch said.
“The Agreement is a constructive and creative solution to the uncertainty currently gripping the higher education sector as it awaits the outcomes of the review, and the NTEU would encourage employers at other public universities to take a similar approach,” said Mr McCulloch. “At the same time, it is a good first step for the Union in achieving a comprehensive new enterprise bargaining agreement at Sydney University.”
The NTEU’s National Council last September saw the adoption of an ambitious agenda of salary, industrial and professional claims to be pursued nationally in the upcoming enterprise bargaining round for the higher education sector. The centrepiece of this will see the Union’s Branches in all 38 public universities pursue a common wage claim of 24% for the period 2003-6.
This is part of a broader bargaining agenda that includes measures to tackle casualisation and declining job security, cap excessive workloads and improve employment conditions and opportunities for Indigenous people.
“Sydney University management claim the institution cannot afford the NTEU’s full wage and conditions claim, a position we believe is misleading to say the least,” said McCulloch. “According to the latest Business Review Weekly ranking, Sydney is number one in terms of financial performance amongst all Australian and New Zealand Universities in 2001.
“The productivity and performance of the University has been continuously improving, mainly because of the commitment and dedication of the University staff. Now is the time for management to reward this rather than making excuses about fictitious financial constraints.”
“Negotiations will resume in February and the Union hopes that a vigorous negotiating approach will yield a final Agreement by early May 2003,” said Mr McCulloch.
For further information and comment:
Mr Grahame McCulloch, NTEU General Secretary 0418 322 620