STAFF TO VOTE AGAINST THE VICE CHANCELLOR IF AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED
September 9, 2005
University of Ballarat staff have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a properly negotiated Enterprise Agreement that will ensure the University’s future funding, but committed to a vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor if the University refuses to settle a negotiated agreement, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Matthew McGowan said today.
Speaking after a meeting of union members at the University today, Mr McGowan said that “The University is ignoring the views of staff who overwhelmingly want a negotiated agreement as shown by the survey of staff released last week. We can only assume that the Vice Chancellor is determined to pursue an agenda against the union and the staff of the University - it is seeking to go much further than what it is required to do by the government to secure its funding.”
“The real danger of this approach is that management’s actions could jeopardise this funding.”
“We hope the Vice Chancellor is not a modern day Captain Ahab, pursuing an obscure objective regardless of the cost to his ship, and the people who keep it running.”
Mr McGowan said that the meeting had agreed to remove the ban on the release of student exam results so that staff can fully focus on the likely ballot process.
“Today’s meeting has decided to produce a new draft agreement that in our view will comply with the government’s requirements for future funding and protect staff’s employment conditions. We are showing the University that it can be done painlessly; the University can have no genuine reason for not returning to negotiations. The staff have shown they want a better agreement, they want the union involved, and they are concerned about the future of the University.”
“However, in the event that management refuses to negotiate and proceeds to put its unacceptable version to a vote, staff have foreshadowed considering a vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor.”
For further information and comment:
Matthew McGowan, NTEU Vic Division Secretary, (03) 9254 1930
Jeremy Smith, Uni of Ballarat Branch President, (03) 5327 9163