VC Margaret Gardner told staff yesterday she hoped to have people in place for second semester, “with these more secure forms of employment offering better conditions”

The statement follows Nine Newspapers weekend report of a dispute between the university and the campus branch of the National Tertiary Education Union, over payment of casual staff.

The union and university are also engaged in bargaining for a new agreement, with the NTEU rejecting management’s latest offer, with protected industrial to come (CMM April 5,6).

There were no public details yesterday on the new jobs, with the VC stating “HR will work with deans and faculties to ensure resourcing needs are met,” however the university has previously acknowledged the need for better conditions for casual academic staff. In March the VC reminded staff that last year over 500 540 casual/sessional staff were appointed to fixed-term and on-going jobs.

This may not be enough to placate the union, one of its enterprise bargaining demands is 80 per cent “secure on-going employment,” but it might incline other staff to look more favourably on management in the context of bargaining.