SA STAFF TO TAKE PART IN NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST GOVERNMENT WORKPLACE INTERFERENCE IN UNIVER
May 31, 2005
South Australian University staff will be taking part in the National Day of Protest being organised tomorrow by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) against the Federal Government’s proposal to cut Universities’ funding by $280 million unless their managements sign up to harsh workplace relations changes.
“The Federal Government’s proposed changes represent an unprecedented interference in the decision making processes of Australian Universities,” said Associate Professor Ian Hunt, South Australian NTEU President: “The Federal Government only provides 40% of University funding but wants 100% control of staffing conditions and course offerings.”
“The Federal Government has adopted a bullying approach by threatening to withdraw funding from Universities that do not comply with its directions.”
“In South Australia, $20 million promised as part of the 2003 Federal Budget’s Backing Australia’s Future package, is now subject to these demands.”
“These include no limitations on casual or fixed term employment and removal of safeguards against arbitrary dismissal.”
“The Federal Government’s interference in Universities is a matter of concern for the whole community, since it will jeopardize the quality of higher education that staff are able to provide in Australia and threaten academic freedom,” said Associate Professor Hunt.
“While the Higher Education sector is one of the first to experience the use of Federal Government power to undermine employees’ rights, this will become commonplace after 1 July, when the Coalition Government has control of both Houses of Parliament.”
“It is disappointing that the State Government has chosen to spend $20 million to assist a foreign University rather than use State taxes to protect South Australian Universities from Federal Government interference.”
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ACTION ON JUNE 1
Staff from all three Universities will meet at 12.45 pm on the Barr Smith lawns, University of Adelaide, and march for a rally at 1.00pm on the steps of Parliament House. Students and the general public are invited to join the rally to show their support for South Australian Universities and their staff.
Main Speakers:
The Hon. Stephanie Key, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education
The Hon. Kate Reynolds, Legislative Council
Ms. Janet Giles, Secretary, SA Unions
For more information contact:
Ian Hunt, NTEU SA Division President and Flinders Branch President, ph: (08) 8201 2054
Greg McCarthy, NTEU SA Division Secretary, ph: (08) 8303 5155
Rod Crewther, NTEU University of Adelaide Branch President, ph: (08) 8303 4576
Robert Iseman, NTEU UniSA Branch President, ph: (08) 8302 6407