UNIVERSITY OF BALLARAT VICE-CHANCELLOR HAS “EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES” MOMENT
Media Release, 19 April 2005
University of Ballarat Vice-Chancellor Professor Kerry Cox appears to have revealed his real views about reaching a new Enterprise Agreement, and some disturbing attitudes towards university staff, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Matthew McGowan said today.
Speaking on local Ballarat FM radio station 3BA this morning about the combined unions’ 24 hour strike at the University of Ballarat today, Professor Cox commented that the whole process of enterprise bargaining was becoming outmoded, and provided protection for unproductive staff.
He further commented that after the Howard government takes control of the Senate on 1 July, the industrial action occurring at the University of Ballarat today would not be allowed.
“Professor Cox has exposed his true position today,” Mr McGowan said. “He has been using the false argument of being in dispute with the State Government over funding for the University’s TAFE component as a smokescreen for the fact that he doesn’t support the whole enterprise bargaining process. We seriously question whether the Vice-Chancellor has any real commitment to finalising a new agreement in any circumstances.”
“Professor Cox needs to realise that a university is a community of scholars, not a collection of individuals all competing with each other in a ‘survival of the fittest’.”
“If these are truly the views of the University’s senior management, then the University of Ballarat and the local community have a major long-term problem in satisfactorily resolving these sorts of disputes.”
“Enterprise agreements not only provide the essential protection for staff’s salaries and employment conditions, they ensure that the fundamental principles of academic freedom and the independence of universities are maintained.”
“It is disturbing that the leadership of one of Australia’s major regional universities appears to not support the crucial mechanisms that underpin those principles.”
For further information and comment:
Matthew McGowan, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary 0417 054 110
Jeremy Smith, NTEU Uni of Ballarat Branch President 0417 054 110