They keep things quiet at Australian Catholic University where enterprise bargaining for a new contract is complete.  Management and the National Tertiary Education Union and Community and Public Sector Union will recommend an agreement to staff. The deal is in-line with what the NTEU campaigned for across the country; 17 per cent super extended to fixed-term contract staff, improved opportunities for casuals to convert to more regular work and 2 per cent annual pay rises through to 2021.

The agreement also includes a management commitment to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Stait Islander staff to population parity, meaning 64 more jobs.

While bargaining is more brawling at some universities this deal was done peacefully – especially impressive given some of the negotiating occurred with a restructure of the university underway. “We are actively working with members to respond to change proposals, arguing for increased time to respond, monitoring due process and settling disputes with management,” NTEU branch president Sandra Miles says.