UNIVERSITY OF BALLARAT SHOULD USE LEARNING AND TEACHING FUNDS TO REWARD STAFF
MEDIA RELEASE
1 December 2005
The University of Ballarat should use the additional $1.56 million funding it has just received from the federal government to reward its staff by paying them the back pay that was offered to staff in last week’s agreement, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Matthew McGowan said today.
The University’s windfall is part of the government’s allocation from the Teaching and Learning Fund.
“This money is over and above the University’s current budget, and coincidentally, is about the same amount the University would have received for having a compliant agreement in place by 30 November,” Mr McGowan said.
“The University is receiving this money as a direct result of the staff’s performance, which placed Ballarat in the top 10 of Australia’s universities. The Vice-Chancellor should start healing the rifts he has caused with staff and give them the recognition they deserve by paying the proposed back pay.”
“It’s about time that the University Council said ‘enough is enough’. There are serious governance issues that the Council needs to address – the University has just missed out on $1.4 million in additional funding as a direct result of Kerry Cox’s quixotic ideological crusade.”
“This is an opportunity for the Council to take control and change its direction. As an act of good faith, the Council should direct that staff be rewarded with the back pay that was on offer, and agree to serious negotiations towards an acceptable collective agreement.”
For further information and comment:
Matthew McGowan, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary: 0417 054 110
Dr Jeremy Smith, NTEU University of Ballarat Branch President: 0429 334 938