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MEMBERS MEETING REPORT

Posted 21 April 2011 by Sarah Hafez (University of Wollongong)

Dear Member
 
A general meeting of members was held on Wednesday 20 April, with almost 100 members in attendance. The meeting was addressed by Penney McFarlane (NTEU UoW Branch President), Genevieve Kelly (NTEU NSW State Secretary) and Grahame McCulloch (NTEU National Secretary). An update on Academic Enterprise Bargaining was given, and members at the meeting passed the following motion:
 
This meeting of NTEU members:
1.         Condemns University of Wollongong management for their lack of progress in finalising an academic agreement with the union;
2.         Calls on Vice-Chancellor Sutton to intervene immediately to ensure an equitable agreement for academic staff at UoW that delivers a fair salaries outcome; job security and workload, which show respect for academic staff;
3.         Directs the negotiating team to report back to a general meeting of members on negotiations by 11th May to undertake further action including a continued media and or industrial campaign.
 
Your bargaining team has requested that management meet with NTEU on May 9th to continue bargaining.
 
This university is a key driver of investment jobs and innovation in the Illawarra region. We believe management still has the option of taking the high road and ensuring UOW attracts and retains the best and brightest, otherwise the whole region will feel the effect.
 
Our members meeting received great support from the local media with interviews on i98FM, ABC Illawarra the Illawarra Mercury and the Lake Times.
 
The NTEU will, as directed by members, report back to a general meeting of members on Wednesday the 11th May, at 12.30pm in 20.2. 
 
We would welcome any further comments/suggestions on Academic Enterprise Bargaining, especially from members who were unable to attend.
 
Genevieve Kelly                      Penney McFarlane     
NSW State Secretary               UOW Branch President