Unions and management at Western Sydney University have reached in-principle agreement on employment terms. The National Tertiary Education Union reported the deal between it and the CPSU and management yesterday.  And last night management confirmed the agreement, with a university spokesperson saying, “Western Sydney University is very pleased to have reached an in-principle agreement with both unions on an enterprise agreement that will provide a range of enhanced benefits for all staff including limited term and casual staff.”

The agreed pay rise amounts to 8 per cent over the life of the deal and 17 per cent super extends to fixed term staff from March 2019.

“The pay and superannuation rises are modest, but in the context of this round so far they are significantly ahead of the national average,” NTEU branch president David Burchell told members yesterday.

The union also had major wins on employment conditions, “other than a reduction in the period within which management can dismiss an academic staff member on probation, no significant member right or entitlement has been affected in any meaningful way,” Dr Burchell and his negotiating team colleagues said.

The union also says there are “significant new industrial protections” for professional staff. This is immensely important given the administration restructures now underway at WSU.