Unionists at the University of Newcastle will strike on August 15 if “key demands for fair staff working conditions are not met.” National Tertiary Education Union members want management to agree to three enterprise bargaining demands; continuing existing consultation processes on change, commit to the existing committee based system for discipline issues and “real pathways” to convert casual and short-term staff to “secure work”.

This signals a new front in the bargaining blue – adding to the union’s pay push, which contrasts staff conditions with management’s big building programme. The union is said to be keen for a deal with outgoing VC Caroline McMillen, before successor Alex Zelinsky arrives in November.