VC Alex Zelinsky tells staff management has asked the Fair Work Commission for help to reach a bargaining deal

There’s an agreement ready to be put to professional staff, with the support of the Community and Public Sector Union, but members of the National Tertiary Education Union knocked back an offer for all academics.

Hunter-side observers suggest this because management withdrew a long-standing offer (CMM August 22 2022) to increase super contributions for casual academics to 17.5 per cent (the national norm is 11 per cent as of July) – which their continuing colleagues receive. Some suggest management may have done this to reduce the cost of an increased pay offer. The 9 per cent staff knocked back in a December vote is now 13 per cent (CMM May 1).

Overall, Professor Zeklinsky advises the present offer is “fair and reasonable given our current financial position,” and “our BEST offer.”

But with the NTEU membership opposed the university won’t put the professional staff offer to an all-workforce vote – which is wise, non-union members often listen to the comrades on wages and conditions.

So, management, unions and other bargaining representatives are off to the FWC  on Tuesday.