Industrial Commission Criticises UWS Over Osteopathy and Podiatry Decision
21 December 2004
The National Tertiary Education Union has called for the University of Western Sydney to reverse its decision to cease the intake into its Osteopathy and Podiatry programmes after the Australian Industrial Relations Commission today criticised UWS for failing to abide by its legal obligations.
After a conciliation hearing held before him yesterday afternoon Senior Deputy President Duncan’s preliminary view in a statement handed down today was that “the action of the University in releasing its decision prior to following the procedures [in the enterprise agreement] was to ignore the requirement to which the University had bound itself”.
The NTEU had notified a dispute with UWS on 18 November alleged that the failure to adhere to procedures and requirements to consult with affected staff before announcing the decision amounted to a breach of the University’s Enterprise Agreement with staff.
Senior Deputy President Duncan went on to criticise the University stating that “the existence of the review ‘Forging the Future: Outcomes of the Review of the Undergraduate Academic Program’ and the procedures for change it espouses puts the behaviour of the university in the current matter in an unfavourable light”.
“The University of Western Sydney management makes great play of its commitment to its staff” said NTEU Senior Industrial Officer, Chris Holley. “It’s time for the University to live up to its rhetoric and do what it is required to do by its agreements”.
“This decision has caused a great deal of distress to both staff and students”.
“We call on the Vice Chancellor to reverse this decision and to undertake a review of the programme in 2005” said Mr Holley.
Senior Deputy President Duncan went on to direct the University to provide further detail on the implications for staff to the NTEU prior to 31 December before any further action was taken.
For further information or comment, contact:
Chris Holley, Senior
Industrial Officer, NTEU
Tel: (02) 9212 5433