Southern Cross Uni dispute continues

By Nick Fredman

LISMORE -- On August 4, staff at Southern Cross University stopped work for the second time since enterprise bargaining negotiations broke down in May. Staff unions and the Student Representative Council held a rally during the morning stoppage.

Staff and students are protesting against a management “offer” that would result in a 6% real pay cut, the loss of many conditions, all staff being placed on individual contracts and management being able to change the agreement unilaterally.

Union members are also incensed that the university has stopped the payroll deduction of dues from members of the National Tertiary Education Industry Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union.

Edda Lampis from the SRC told the rally that militant action had won in disputes at the Universities of Sydney and NSW, and pledged continuing student support. Chris Game, chief negotiator for the NTEU, condemned the intransigence of management and threatened further stoppages and an escalation of the dispute into a one- or two-day strike if the unions' demand for a just agreement is not met.

Staff are continuing work bans.

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