Staff have backed the enterprise agreement offer jointly proposed by management and the National Tertiary Education Union

And by a thumping majority of those who turned out – 96 per cent of academics voting approved as did 93 per cent of professional staff.

It was delivered on a low turn-out, around 30 per cent of academics and professional staff – which demonstrates a cordial process, the happier people are with management and union negotiators the less they feel the need to vote.

This is a big win for QUT management and the union – an agreement reached, in around six months must be close to the land-speed record for enterprise bargaining. It contrasts with QUT’s cross-river rival, the University of Queensland, where bargaining has been underway for 18 months or so (CMM February 16).

At QUT  the 1.8 per cent tranche of the pay rise due on the agreement coming into force will be paid now, rather than waiting for the Fair Work Commission to certify it. Nice touch the FWC does not always move at lightening pace.