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Landmark enterprise agreement reached at Uni of NSW
National Tertiary Education Union, NSW
Press Release
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Landmark enterprise agreement reached at Uni of NSW
More than four thousand academic staff at the University of New South Wales will benefit from a new union workplace agreement that curbs the use of short-term contracts and delivers an annual pay rise of 4.2 per cent.
The landmark two and a half year agreement means long suffering staff will finally win secure employment, allowing them to better plan their finances and make major life decisions.
National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) NSW Secretary Genevieve Kelly said the agreement was a major breakthrough.
“For years, researchers at UNSW have been treated as second class workplace citizens, so this is a major win
“If Australia wants first class research institutes, it must provide decent job security to the people who work in them. The agreement struck with UNSW is a big step forward.”
Under the agreement, contract staff at UNSW will be able to apply to convert to ongoing employment after five years and will get 17 per cent super (up from nine per cent) after two years.
Casual academics will also benefit from improved conditions, with loading increasing from 23 per cent to 25 per cent and separate pay for marking.
There are also new limits on workloads, recognising the many hours of unpaid overtime academics perform.
The two and a half year agreement leaves the University of Wollongong as the only university in the state – and one of only two in the country - still dragging the chain on a new workplace agreement.
“The University of Wollongong is now dangerously isolated within the university sector,” Genevieve Kelly said.
“Unless they come to the table and agree to a reasonable pay deal, along with limits on short term and casual employment, the university will suffer a brain drain – a crisis of attraction and retention of staff.
“Nobody wants the University of Wollongong to be disadvantaged because of poor outcomes in bargaining and a refusal to treat academic staff with respect.
For Comment: Genevieve Kelly, NTEU NSW Secretary 0424 465 839
