Delay in enterprise bargaining pushes UON staff to strike

Staff at the University of Newcastle will be on the picket lines today over job security, fair pay and safe working conditions after the union said management had been “dragging” negotiations. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) said members of the UON Callaghan, City and Central Coast campuses will be striking for 24 hours to show their disappointment over the “lack of movement” in enterprise bargaining. “Negotiations with UON management have dragged on for more than a year,” said NTEU Newcastle branch vice president, Associate Professor Terry Summers. “Staff are now taking action to defend the excellent higher education that we are committed to provide. “Members want management to work with us to deliver new Enterprise Agreements for all staff that acknowledge our excellent work with fair working conditions.” The aim of the strike is to ensure better job security, working conditions and a pay increase. The NTEU pointed out that while the university recorded a surplus of $185 million last year, UON cut staff and many of those that are still employed are either casuals or on short term contracts, which impacts the quality of education they can provide to students. “We need protections against job cuts and improved pathways to more secure jobs,” Summers said. Like many universities across the country, staff at the University of Newcastle have been struggling to pick up the pace after the Covid-19 pandemic as those remaining have been asked to do “more with less”. “These staff are already overworked and it impacts the quality of education and research. “We need improved leave rights and enforceable protections against overwork and unreasonable working hours to improve work-life balance. “Staff must be paid for all hours worked and have protections to stop rampant wage theft,” Summers said. Today’s action will last 24 hours and while staff members will be on the picket line, the University of Newcastle has decided to remain open to minimise the disruption to ensure students will have access to their classes. University of Newcastle deputy vice chancellor Professor Kent Anderson recognised UON academics and staff being outstanding and leaders in their field, saying an agreement will be found through genuine and good faith negotiations at the bargaining table. “We are committed to reaching agreements that will maintain and enhance working conditions for staff, support excellence in our education programs, research efforts and student experience,” Anderson said. Currently, management at the university is offering a six per cent pay rise set to be rolled out over two years, three additional paid leave days over Easter, 10 days of paid ‘Life Leave’ accessible every year, an increase of superannuation up to 17 per cent, more job security and an extra one-off cash payment for all staff. “We believe enterprise agreement negotiations are close to finality. We are keen to reach a mutually acceptable outcome as soon as possible,” Anderson said.