Union members at seven of Victoria’s eight universities could target open days with industrial action, including strikes, in a fresh push for fairer pay and conditions.
Progress on enterprise bargaining at the University of Melbourne, Monash, Deakin, La Trobe, Swinburne, RMIT and VU has been slow, with no agreement yet on reasonable NTEU claims around fair pay, secure jobs and safe workloads.
At an online statewide NTEU meeting on Wednesday, members will vote on taking open day action, which could range from strikes and work bans to speaking out, leafleting and other campaign activity.
A draft copy of the motion calls for the “full weight” of the Victorian union’s resources to support open day action.
NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Sarah Roberts said members had the chance to send an emphatic message on university open days.
“Three months on from a massive day of strike action, university managements are still blocking staff claims for a fair pay rise and better working conditions,” she said.
“It seems like these seven university managements care more about their brands than the welfare of the hard-working staff who are directly responsible for the reputations that institutions trade on at open days.
“NTEU members have demonstrated time and time again they are not afraid to take industrial action when it’s necessary.
“Unfortunately, the stubborn approach of university managements across most Victorian universities has put us in a position where union members are saying enough is enough.
“University staff deserve fair pay rises, secure jobs and safe workloads.
Union branches at each university will decide on the type of action taken.
Regionally based Federation University is the only Victorian university on the verge of reaching an agreement with the union through enterprise bargaining.
