Work-bans, stop-work planned for Melbourne university

MELBOURNE — A union meeting at the University of Melbourne on June 3 voted for work-bans and a four-hour stop-work on June 15, should there be no substantial progress in collective agreement negotiations.

The decision follows the 24-hour strike at many Victorian universities on May 21.

A University of Melbourne staff ballot conducted in May by the Victorian Electoral Commission showed strong support for industrial action.

Of the 59% (or 974 members) of staff who returned ballots, 84% supported a four-hour stoppage and 77% supported a 24-hour stoppage.

Ninety one percent supported bans on carrying out extra duties resulting from staff cuts or vacant positions.

The measures voted on included bans on working outside of agreed hours of work and a four-hour ban on telephone and email use on June 12.

Bans on performing extra duties due to staffing cutbacks or vacancies will also begin on that day. All work on student assessment results will come under an indefinite ban.

Staff hold a four-hour stop work from 1pm on June 15. They will protest at the opening of the university's Festival of Ideas.

From GLW issue 798