Staff at Charles Darwin U have backed management’s enterprise agreement offer, despite the vehement opposition of the National Tertiary Education Union
What happened The vote was 62 per cent in favour, with 59 pe cent of eligible staff turning out.
The pay offer was not especially generous, compared to the 15 per cent over the agreement the NTEU wants at all universities – four per cent now with two per cent in October 2023 and again in October 2024 plus a signing bonus of up to $500. But it appears to have been enough for a majority of staff voting to discount union warnings. Union national president Alison Barnes went to Darwin to campaign against the offer and branch leader Darius Pfitzner warned, “it’s pretty obvious why management only wants to talk about money with so many rights and conditions under attack,” (CMM November 16).
This is a big win indeed for VC Scott Bowman and a considerable achievement, for the university’s lead negotiator Hilary Winchester – management offers that are solidly opposed by union(s) on a campus rarely get up.
It is also the second loss for the NTEU in a month– with a management offer the union opposed being accepted by staff at Southern Cross U (CMM November 7). Although, this was in part due to the Community and Public Sector Union at SCU recommending the offer.
Which the union explains NTEU General Secretary Damien Cahill, attributes both management wins to their taking, “the low road on wages and conditions.”
Having gone without a pay rise for so long, and with rising inflation, it is understandable that many staff felt they had no choice but to accept the management offer. As a result however, they will now inevitably face increased cost of living pressures with fewer employment protections.”
But a win is a win The Australian Higher Education Industrial Association, which represents most uni managements meets this week and it a fair bet there will be seemly celebrations of two rare victories against the NTEU
They should enjoy it while it lasts Which will not be long if the government’s industrial relations bill passes the Senate as is. It makes union approval a requirement before proposed enterprise agreements can be put to an all-staff vote. AHEIA wants the bill amended to allow university managements to put offers unions don’t back to staff once, and if staff vote no for the Fair Work Commission to arbitrate.
So what happens next? The Senate sits this week but while the Fair Work amendment bill is not listed for debate the legislation committee considering it is scheduled to report Wednesday.