Daniel Kruk, secretary of the Swinburne NTEU branch has written to the Childcare Co-Op expressing our dismay at the actions of management in increasing their rent 12 fold taking it to an unsustainable $100,000 per annum.
Despite staff being asked (and for some, mandated) to attend campus at least three days per week, the shock closure of the Co-Op largely as a result of this rent gouging is a blow to parents working on campus and ends a relationship spanning nearly fifty years between the Co-Op and the University. The decision by Swinburne management is emblematic of the lack of consultation with and consideration of staff.
As Daniel noted there has been an 'outpouring of support' for the Co-Op to continue. To date management have been unmoved by the disquiet. The union has taken up the case with management and will continue to express our concerns over this decision and the disregard it shows to staff in the Co-Op and in the wider Swinburne community.