Members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) took protected strike action at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), May 5–6, over an unfair pay offer and poor working conditions.
The union decided to take industrial action after delegates reported that management was not taking their demands seriously.
The NTEU said systematic failures had made it impossible for teaching staff. Many work 60-hour weeks, including unpaid hours.
NTEU staff said UTAS is the lowest-paid university in Australia out of 37 institutions.
The university has come under scrutiny by the Fair Work Ombudsman, including for a more than $21 million back-payment to thousands of workers. By contrast the vice-chancellor takes an estimated $1.1 million a year salary.
The Australia Institute reported that, as of 2022, the VC’s pay was, on average, at least seven times more than that of academic staff and more than nine times that of high-school teachers.
Management offered staff a pay rise of 3% a year, over three years, on May 3, alongside a $1000 sign-on bonus.
The NTEU said this offer is inadequate because it does not keep up with cost-of-living rises and grants the university management veto rights over particular elements of the agreement.
