The University of Queensland resumed enterprise bargaining negotiations this year, after productive negotiations in 2013 in which agreement was reached on a number of issues.
Negotiations are continuing, in a concerted effort to finalise bargaining. Agreement is getting closer on most issues.
UQ paid a 2.5 per cent salary increase from 1 January 2014, outside of any scheduled pay rise, so that staff are not disadvantaged by the negotiating process,.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) is one of the unions party to the current negotiations.
Many of the NTEU’s claims are being pursued by the union nationally across the sector, regardless of institutional context.
UQ has about 7500 full-time equivalent staff. Last September, 435 staff voted in favour of industrial action, representing just over half of the NTEU membership at UQ.
Other unions have not sought to take industrial action.
It is regrettable that the NTEU has decided to take action which may impact on some students early in the semester.
A new Enterprise Agreement must be supportive of the University’s strategic direction and be financially sustainable.
An important part of this is that our working conditions and pay continue to attract and reward staff.
The University is aware that its standing as one of the world’s top 100 universities is due to the excellence of its academic and professional staff.
We believe that the new Enterprise Agreement will reflect this as well as position the University to continue to be one of the world’s top universities.
Media contact: 3365 1120, communications@uq.edu.au.
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