Juggling work/study and family at UNSW more than staff & students can bear
Staff and students to rally for child care and a family friendly campus
The World’s Biggest Teddy Bear will this Wednesday join staff and students at a rally demanding that the University of NSW urgently act on the enormous child care waiting lists at its Kensington Campus, and challenging the University to rectify its status as the least family friendly higher education institution in the country.
Members of the National Tertiary Education Union, the Union representing academic and general staff at the University, along with students represented by the UNSW Student Guild, Postgraduate Board and UNSW Union, will hold a rally and afternoon tea on the Library Lawns at UNSW.
“There are currently estimated to be 700 people on the waiting list for the existing UNSW childcare centres. By all accounts this is a conservative indication of the level of unmet demand” said Susan Price, Vice President of the NTEU UNSW Branch.
“Our members feel particularly put out by UNSW because the parental leave provisions in the UNSW agreement look set to be the worst in the country. UNSW have said that child care is the priority, and to address this made a commitment to spending $500,000 in 2004 and $500,000 in 2005 on new childcare facilities. It is now November 2004, and nothing’s happened” said Ms Price.
“In a University where women are so underrepresented amongst senior staff, one has to question the commitment of management to being a family friendly institution”, she said.
“Recognising a need for more childcare places, the UNSW Union supports moves to increase the capacity of childcare facilities for students and staff”, said Simon Thomson, spokesperson for the UNSW Union, which provides a range of services for students and staff of the University.
“Currently, the UNSW Union manages a childcare centre providing flexible childcare places for the community in premises provided by the University” he said.
Staff and Students Rally for Child Care –
Wednesday 10 November, 1:00pm, Library Lawns (near Gate 8, High
St), UNSW.
Speakers, balloons, face
painting, entertainment, BBQ and the World’s Biggest Teddy
Bear.
Contacts: NTEU: Susan Price, Vice President, NTEU UNSW Branch (w) 9385 8066 (mobile) 0400 320 602
UNSW Academic staff member: George Argyrous, Senior Lecturer Social Science and Policy. Sharing childcare with working partner. (w) 9385 3483
UNSW General Staff member: Laura Wilson, currently on Maternity Leave looking for Childcare. Has to be back at work by Feb 2005: (mobile) 0419 443 279.
UNSW Union: Simon Thomson, Membership Services Manager, Tel: (02) 9385 7651, Mob: 0410 421 574