Issue
University ultimatum to academics
By Alex BainbridgeNEWCASTLE — The University of Newcastle administration delivered an ultimatum to its academics' union on August 23, demanding that work bans be lifted. The bans have been partially successful in winning a 2% pay claim, but the administration has remained intransigent over union claims regarding promotion quotas. Last December, the university reduced its "quota" of academic staff who could be promoted, especially to the position of senior lecturer. The decision was made with no consultation, and rescinded a prior agreement at a time when academics were calling for an increase in the quota through enterprise bargaining.
Work bans have been imposed by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) since May 29.
The administration has threatened to appeal to the Industrial Relations Commission to end the current enterprise bargaining period in order that industrial action can be challenged in the civil courts.
NTEU branch president Bob Berghout told Green Left Weekly that the university has filed to have the bargaining period terminated on the grounds that it is causing significant inconvenience to the community.
The work bans have been well supported and include processing first semester exam results and preparations of timetables and handbooks for next year. Vice Chancellor Raoul Mortley announced at a university council meeting on August 25 that only 2000 exam results had been processed, compared with the normal 40,000. Those that have been processed have been exempted by the NTEU, such as students graduating mid-year.
The 2% pay claim is part of a national claim by the NTEU of which 1.3% will be paid by the federal government.