SCU Branch makes last ditch offer to University management
5 May 2004
Chance to avoid strike and protest action at Southern Cross University
After widespread staff condemnation of Vice-Chancellor John Rickard’s role in frustrating progress towards a new enterprise agreement, the NTEU Southern Cross University (SCU) Branch has provided management with a new comprehensive settlement offer, giving the University Council a solid basis on which to ensure University management takes the opportunity to engage in good faith negotiations.
A mass meeting of NTEU members will be held on 11 May to consider their response, which may include industrial action if management does not provide a reasonable response to the offer prior to the meeting.
The settlement offer, which comes after 13 months of talks between Southern Cross University and the NTEU, provides for minimal changes to the current agreement and a pay deal the same as that agreed to at comparable institutions.
Early in March, staff reacted angrily to University management’s pay offer of roughly half that agreed at any other Universities. A fiery union meeting unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor’ negotiate in good faith, which within days was endorsed by at least half of SCU’s staff who signed a petition endorsing the motion. The petition called on the University Council and the Chancellor to intervene and direct the University Executive and VC to negotiate in good faith
“Management’s most recent offer could only be described as mean spirited and inflammatory” said Dr Paul Gannon, Branch President of the NTEU, the largest union at Southern Cross University representing both academic and general staff.
“However in spite of the lack of progress so far, after such an overwhelming response from staff who want to see the agreement finalised we retain some hope that the Chancellor and University Council will take the opportunity we are presenting them to get bargaining back on track, as they have committed to” Dr Gannon said. “The Union is now attempting to take a reasonable and constructive approach, and our offer realistically gives the University a chance to have a finished agreement by the end of May”.
“While his confidence in the VC is not reflected by the staff, we hope that the Chancellor John Dowd can make steps to end the uncertainty for staff and push for a speedy resolution of the agreement” Dr Gannon said.
Contact: Paul Gannon, NTEU Branch President, (02) 6620 3761 or 0408 240 579