NTEU Intervenes to Stop Decision on University of Melbourne Regional Campus Closures
5 November 2004
NTEU has demanded that the University of Melbourne delay any decision on its proposal to close several regional campuses until it has adequately consulted with staff and other stakeholders, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Matthew McGowan said today.
“Today we have lodged a formal dispute notification with the University under the current Enterprise Agreement over the University’s failure to properly consult with the NTEU and affected staff over the proposed changes,” Mr McGowan said.
“Under the requirements of the Agreement and the dispute as notified, the University must now take no action that will further exacerbate the dispute. It must not proceed with any changes to the current arrangements. The NTEU has also separately written to the University Council, which meets on 8 November, seeking its commitment to a proper consultation process with a realistic timeframe.”
“It’s clear from the attention that this issue has attracted in the rural media that the current process is seriously damaging the University’s relationships with its staff, other affected stakeholders and regional communities.”
“We expect that the NTEU’s actions today will provide a ‘circuit breaker’ that will enable all parties to step back and engage in a more transparent, timely and productive consultative process that will adequately address the full range of concerns that have been raised by the University’s initiative and community responses.”
For further information and comment:
Matthew McGowan, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary 0417 054 110