Strike at Edith Cowan University

Strike at Edith Cowan University

BY CLAUDIA FRENTE

PERTH — All four campuses of Edith Cowan University were reduced to ghost towns here on August 16 and 17, thanks to militant union picketers, some of whom were forced to join the picket lines at 4am to dodge private security arranged by management.

The demonstrators, members of the National Tertiary Education Industry Union, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Civil Servants Association, were striking in support of union claims for a salary increase in line with those agreed to at other universities, a guarantee of job security and the retention of existing award conditions.

Union members at a lunchtime rally at the university's Churchlands campus decided to "work to rule and to withdraw all good will" until their demands are met. Staff will not engage in any unpaid work, performing only basic duties.

The majority of students turned away in solidarity when they reached the entrances of the campuses.

From GLW issue 417