QUALITY STAFF VITAL TO CQU’S FUTURE
May 13, 2005
Union campaign to get management to resume enterprise bargaining negotiations
The Central Queensland University Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) will today kick off a campaign aimed at urging the University’s management to resume stalled enterprise bargaining negotiations.
“For several months the NTEU has attempted to engage CQU’s management in good faith negotiations on a new enterprise agreement for all staff that would contain competitive salary and other conditions,” said Howard Guille, Secretary, Queensland NTEU Division Secretary.
“The Union is now concerned that this situation will be further complicated by the Federal Government’s recent announcement that it will cut universities’ budgets by $280 million unless their management, including CQU’s, sign up to harsh workplace relations conditions.”
“These include getting staff on highly unpopular individual Australian Workplace Agreements, and removing limits on casual and contract employment.
“In addition to making it more difficult for CQU staff and management to come to an agreement, the NTEU believes that these workplace conditions and other Commonwealth Government policies have the potential to undermine CQU’s quality and put at risk its mission as a teaching and research university.”
“Any move in this direction would be a huge step backwards for the University, for local industry, and for the people of our region who benefit from the teaching and research carried out at the university.”
“Ensuring that the staff have competitive salaries and conditions is vital to maintaining CQU’s reputation and to the region’s capacity to attract quality staff.”
“A good outcome for staff will also have broader impacts, as employment conditions at CQU provide a base to the labour market in Central Queensland.”
“The Union’s campaign will include electronic media and newspaper advertising, as well as events and actions at the University’s Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay and Bundaberg campuses.”
“The campaign will also aim to bring to the community’s attention the need for CQU to remain focussed on Central Queensland and ensure the region’s needs remain the University’s core priority.”
For information and comment:
Howard Guille, (07) 3846 2355
Richard Whitwell, (07) 4930 9650