The December increase will be the first under the enterprise agreement yet to be negotiated

It follows a 1 per cent rise, the last under the old agreement, in July, (CMM July 11 2022).

VC Margaret Gardner tells staff, the context for yesterday’s announcement is “the full effects of the previous two years of declining enrolments and revenues, as well as rising inflation.” The university, she warns is “projecting a deficit.”

“It is my hope” the 3 per cent “acknowledges the current financial strain being experienced by staff due to present economic conditions,” the VC adds.

It probably won’t. The university had a $259 surplus in 2020 and $259m in 2021 (CMM February 8, May 3).

The National Tertiary Education Union wants three annual 5 per cent pay rises under new agreements at all universities (CMM May 31).