Learning continues as barely 1% support strike

The vast majority of students will be untouched by minority industrial action at UQ, and should plan to continue classes, research, library and other work as normal.

UQ’s Executive Director (Operations), Mr Maurie McNarn, said experience showed the overwhelming majority of UQ staff did not wish to hamper students’ progress and would ignore a sole union’s call to strike.

A strike beginning next Tuesday afternoon will target only two of UQ’s 36 schools, and has the mandate of a meeting of 1.2 percent of staff.

“Only about 140 people from a staff of well over 8000 voted on this National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) action,” Mr McNarn said.

“Last time the NTEU tried to target students through industrial action only 114 staff heeded the call. On an average day almost 1700 classes are scheduled at UQ, but during that campaign (October 2009) only a handful of classes were cancelled."

The NTEU is the instigator of this campaign, but is just one of five unions that have been engaged in enterprise bargaining with the University for 15 months.

UQ has offered staff a cumulative 17 per cent four-year salary increase (16 per cent flat) and a range of improved conditions.

Despite the NTEU’s delaying tactics, UQ has already awarded pay rises of eight per cent over two years, and has continued to negotiate in good faith.

“UQ respects the right to take protected industrial action, but the NTEU hierarchy is doing its members and other staff no favours,” Mr McNarn said.

“The NTEU is now stalling the delivery of a package of positive conditions to staff.

“It is peddling misinformation about the University’s financial position. That is sorry conduct, particularly for a union representing academics.”

Media contact: Fiona Kennedy 3365 1384 / 0413 380 012