At UNSW VC Attila Brungs tells staff  that despite “good progress” in enterprise bargaining the National Tertiary Education Union has started the process for industrial action

Professor Brungs states this is surprising, given “the good progress we are making with the unions” (the plural  is presumably to include the Community and Public Service U) and “key enhancements” the university has agreed to. These include an increase in gender affirmation leave, more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and a staff right to “disconnect” from work outside hours,

The VC’s message makes no mention of pay, which generally does not come up until other issues are agreed.

The NTEU has Fair Work Commission approval for members at the university to vote on industrial action, ranging from five minute stop works to ones of indefinite duration and measures in between.

“While UNSW respects the NTEU’s and its members’ right to consider industrial action, we are disappointed with the NTEU’s decision to take this step as all parties have demonstrated a genuine willingness to finalise new … agreements,” the VC states.

However the FWC concluded the NTEU met the pre-condition for a member-vote on industrial action that, “it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement.”

Despite Professor Brungs’ concerns it could be worse – it is at neighbouring Uni Sydney, where no deal is done after 18 months of negotiations.