VIC Members Decide on Deadlines for Uni's to Make Realistic Offers on New Enterprise Agreements
5 May 2004
Academic and general staff at the University of Melbourne and Victoria University of Technology (VUT) have given university managements until 21 May and 14 May respectively to make realistic offers on new Enterprise Agreements, or face further escalating industrial action, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Matthew McGowan said today.
“Over 300 members at the University of Melbourne unanimously voted for a further half day stoppage on Thursday 27 May, if an acceptable offer isn’t received by Friday 21 May,” Mr McGowan said.
“200 VUT members also voted unanimously to commence rolling industrial action if a realistic offer isn’t made by Friday 14 May. Action being considered includes further strike action, a work-to-rule campaign, and a range of work bans.”
Mr McGowan said that the strong unanimous support by members indicated the depth of concern about the slow progress around enterprise bargaining in Victoria.
Last Monday, members at RMIT voted unanimously to impose bans on work plans and co-operating with a major restructuring exercise that the university is undertaking, calling on RMIT to make enterprise bargaining its top priority. In response, RMIT Management have cancelled any further negotiations.
Mr McGowan said “The bans are a moderate response to the lack of progress on enterprise bargaining and RMIT’s failure to make realistic offers on salary and conditions, to stay competitive with other universities in Australia.”
“If RMIT continues to delay the process and refuses to make a serious effort to satisfactorily conclude an agreement, the NTEU will be forced to take more aggressive action there also.”
“While these three universities are leading the way, we expect members at most other Victorian universities to decide on similar action if current negotiations aren’t finalised in the near future.”
For further information and comment:
Matthew
McGowan
0418 241 161