UQ Chancellor says NTEU no confidence vote a political stunt

UQ Chancellor says NTEU no confidence vote a political stunt
University of Queensland Chancellor Sir Llewellyn Edwards has supported UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay following a no confidence vote today by 149 NTEU academic staff union members of the University's 2200 academic and research staff.

Sir Llewellyn said the NTEU's vote was a political stunt with no place in enterprise bargaining negotiations.

"This matter needs to be considered in context," Sir Llewellyn said.

" I think you will find this is a political tactic - and unfortunately a rather personal one - from the NTEU, which is trying all sorts of things to gain an advantage in enterprise bargaining, a process which is not going the union's way.

"These tactics are not normal in University negotiations. We certainly don't want to respond to personal tactics. We prefer to negotiate in good faith."

Last week general staff at the University of Queensland voted overwhelmingly in favour of the University's general staff enterprise agreement (EB). This was despite a strong campaign against it by the only union opposed, the National Tertiary Education Industrial Union (NTEU).

Further information: Sir Llewellyn Edwards 3231 1370/ah 3868 1998