BY DAKOTA TAIT
Staff at the University of Newcastle are poised to walk off the job later this year, as concern grows around pay and conditions.
Members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) voted on Wednesday to take the first step toward industrial action, by applying to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot Order.
Newcastle Branch President Dan Conway says it's not a surprising outcome.
"I think experience has shown us through eight rounds of enterprise bargaining in the sector now, that things don't really start to move until there is a threat, and sometimes the actual occurrence of industrial action taking place," he said.
"Unfortunately it's a natural progression. I would have loved to have felt like we were making strong progress all the way through bargaining without having to move to this, but it's somewhat inevitable I think."
It comes a week after the revelation the University made a $185 million surplus in 2021, despite citing financial concerns as the driver for major cuts to staff and courses.
Vice-Chancellor Alex Zelinsky says most of that surplus is a one-off from investments and shares which will spent on infrastructure such as student accommodation and upgrades to teaching spaces.
The NTEU argues, however, the money should be invested back into the teaching body.
Mr Conway says the move toward industrial action was in the works before last week's news, but it has added to their list of concerns.
There are number of steps to take internally as well as with the Fair Work Commission, but it's understood the union is bracing to take industrial action early in the second semester.
"Obviously we take part in lower level actions first, but I'm of the strong view, and many of the members are of the strong view, that the only thing that really has an impact is the withdrawal of labour," Mr Conway said.
"Hopefully the mere threat of the withdrawal of labour will be enough to start to get some real traction at the table."
Vice-Chancellor Alex Zelinsky says the University will continue to work with the NTEU when it comes to enterprise bargaining, but did note that the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which is also participating in the bargaining process, hasn't pursued industrial action.
"Should this occur, and NTEU members engage in industrial action, this will likely impact on our students as well as our staff," Mr Zelinsky said.
"Our aims in this round of enterprise bargaining are to help strengthen benefits and conditions that work for individuals as well as the institution, while ensuring our university remains financially sustainable for the long-term."
