The National Tertiary Education Union leadership is briefing branches on enterprise agreement negotiations

Centrally specified enterprise bargaining asks include,

* a 12 per cent pay rise over three years

* subjecting staff to only one restructure proposal in a three-year agreement

* fixed term contract staff to become continuing after three years continuous service

* casual staff to be paid at the specified rate for all hours worked, not just the time management specifies for a task

Officials are emphasising that “insecure work” is to be a key issue.

Bargaining is late starting around the country – perhaps because union and managements are still not sure what next year will look like. Although, CQU management has come out hard with a no-pay proposal. At Western Sydney U observers speculate management might be willing to contemplate improved job security for some long-term casual staff.