Hannah Hammoud
Union members at Victoria University (VU) are considering targeting upcoming open days with industrial action, including strikes.
In a fresh push for fairer pay and conditions, VU joins six other Victorian universities who have not yet reached an agreement on their enterprise bargaining, sitting alongside the University of Melbourne, Monash, Deakin, La Trobe, Swinburne, and RMIT.
At an online statewide National Teritary Education Union (NTEU] meeting held on July 26, members voted on taking open day action, which could range from strikes and work bans to speaking out, leafleting and other campaign activity.
NTEU Victorian division secretary Sarah Roberts said members had the chance to send an emphatic message on university open days.
“Three months on from a massive day of strike action, university managements are still blocking staff claims for a fair pay rise and better working conditions,” she said.
“It seems like these seven university managements care more about their brands than the welfare of the hard-working staff who are directly responsible for the reputations that institutions trade on at open days.“
Ms Roberts said union members have demonstrated time and time again that they are not afraid to take industrial action.
“Unfortunately, the stubborn approach of university managements across most Victorian universities has put us in a position where union members are saying enough is enough,” she said.
“University staff deserve fair pay rises, secure jobs and safe workloads.“
Victoria University has scheduled to host its open days in August.
In July, VU announced a “voluntary separation program” which involves staff choosing to be made redundant and would shed 300 full-time equivalent roles by September, 2023.
In an email to staff after the announcement, Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the cost savings target was required as the university’s spending currently exceeds its revenue.
Victoria University declined to comment.
