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Dear members,
What a difference a strike can make.
Last week's action outside University Council showed that NTEU Monash members are serious about winning better conditions, and management have clearly taken notice.
Today's meeting saw a marked shift in Monash HR's attitude. We saw constructive – even positive – discussions of some of our key claims. We were able to ink a key win for staff at Monash University – a right to work from home, enshrined in the new enterprise agreement.
The University has agreed to write in a specific clause giving staff the right to apply to work from hime. This is not an unfettered right. Working from home will be in line with the current policy of 3 days/2days, with the University still able to refuse staff applications on operational grounds.
But make no mistake – the University had been refusing this claim as recently as even last week. This is a huge win for workplace flexibility, with professional staff in particular able to enjoy much greater flexibility as a result.
We also had a win on union rights. The University has enshrined a right for the NTEU to enjoy a facilitative arrangement with University management. This means we get to keep our office on campus, our rights to visit staff and to represent members. This is a critical win that will go far in building our capacity as a union to campaign around and improve workplace conditions, even after enterprise negotiations have concluded.
Another key success from today was the university's withdrawal of their claim to extend the ordinary span of hours for all professional staff to 7am-8pm. This means that professional staff will retain their current rights in the new agreement. While this may not seem like a major win, safeguarding against diminutions in conditions is core union work and cause for celebration.
We also came much closer together on both Periodic Academic Employment and Fixed-Term employment, with discussion focusing on pathways to ongoing jobs for current insecurely employed Monash staff.
Of course, we have to mention that today's progress comes after VC Pickering's email earlier this week, which locked-in a 3% pay-rise. While our team of negotiators will continue to push for more increases, it's a further signal that management are finally listening to our demands.
Importantly, Pickering's email also confirmed a series of intensive negotiations which are scheduled for after the Easter and mid-semester break. An unnamed Senior Leader will be attending these bargaining meetings, along with our Victorian Secretary.
Today's progress would not have been possible without the demonstration of collective power last week and the targeting of University Council. Let's continue to push management for better working conditions, for secure, safe and dignified work and better pay.
We would also like to extend our solidarity to NTEU RMIT University and VE members who have been out on strike this week. The industrial action marked 1000 days since the expiry of their Agreement (yikes). Strength and solidarity to you, comrades.
On a final note – applications to access the Strike Fund are still open for casual or low-income members who participated in last week's action. Those who have submitted applications should have received confirmation from the Branch. If you haven't, please email [email protected].
In union,
NTEU Monash Branch
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