ational Tertiary Education Union members at Macquarie University have taken the extraordinary step of passing a motion of no confidence in a senior university leader.
Macquarie is planning to scrap hundreds of casual academic roles, forcing huge workload increases on permanent staff.
Under the plan, Staff would be restricted in taking long service leave during teaching periods.
The Department of Critical Indigenous Studies would no longer be a stand alone department, losing independence and financial autonomy.
NTEU members on Wednesday unanimously voted for a no-confidence motion in Executive Dean of Arts Chris Dixon
NTEU Macquarie University Branch President Dr Nick Harrigan said:
“Casual staff have been the backbone of Macquarie Uni for decades. Now they are being cast aside and it is outrageous.
“The expectation of management that ongoing staff will make up for the work that hundreds of casuals perform is outrageous and a serious risk to the health and wellbeing of MQ Arts staff.
“Without casual staff, it will either mean increased workloads for permanent staff or worse teaching quality for students.
“NTEU members have taken the serious step of a no-confidence motion because the Executive Dean of Arts’ actions have the potential to cause incredible damage to Macquarie Uni.
“The Federal Government’s changes to workplace laws were supposed to help casuals, not be used as an excuse to sack them.
“Casual staff deserve job security and a pathway to conversion.
“It is an outrage that Critical Indigenous Studies is being downgraded from a department to discipline.”
