Uni Newcastle VC Alex Zelinsky hopes the Fair Work Commission can settle a deal between university and the campus branch of the National Tertiary Education

He told staff last week that a meeting with the FWC is scheduled for tomorrow (CMM May 25, 26).

But as of Friday his hope was forlorn, with NTEU members voting for the VC to withdraw his application to the commission.

“The NTEU is deeply disappointed that senior management at Uni Newcastle Uni has walked away from direct negotiations … when the parties were close to agreement, national secretary Damien Cahill says.

To demonstrate the depths of disappointment, his members are going out for 24 hours on Thursday.