The NTEU UTS members are also opposed to the regressive changes to higher education proposed by the federal government.  They are in full support the National Union of Students national day of action against the Federal Budget today.  However, they are also striking today to further their bargaining claims.

“I’m appalled that UTS management is adopting a more corporatised approach to university affairs. Now is the time for us to collectively resist this push, to send a message to UTS management that we will not accept their proposals which amount to less than the status quo,” said Caughley.

The NTEU has also disclosed the location in where the pickets will be and rallying will occur.  These are the areas to look out for if you are interested in participating, or to avoid if you want to enter UTS buildings.

The pickets are now up and running and will last until 11:30am. The Union will then break at the front of the Tower from 11:30am to 12:30pm and then resume from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. “The pickets will be lively and colourful, and we will be gathering together to hand out leaflets to passers-by explaining why we’re on strike, and encouraging staff and students to respect our picket line. We will not be attempting to physically prevent people from entering buildings,” Caughley explained.

The Union will then join the student rally against the Federal Budget, also outside the front of the Tower at 2:30pm. For more information of the National Union of Students organised rally you can check out their Facebook event

The university entrances that the picket will cover include:

•  Tower Building 1
• Buildings 2 and 10 on the Jones Street entrances
• The main entrance of the DAB building
• Buildings 3 and 4 on Harris Street
• The main entrance of Building 5 and the Library

What is the NTEU striking for?

1) RESPECT FOR UNION RIGHTS

Simon Wade, the NTEU Branch President was dismissed from UTS on May 8.  This matter has been taken to federal court.  This attack has a serious impact on the Union’s work at UTS and come at a crucial time in the bargaining process, and removes our Lead Professional Staff Bargainer who has been negotiating for almost a year for new Enterprise Agreements.

We are appalled at this attack on union rights at UTS, and we have the full support of the NTEU National Executive, the UTS Students Association and other NSW unions in demanding Simon Wade’s immediate reinstatement.

2) INCREASED JOB SECURITY

The current change management process is seriously, so we want UTS management to commit to:
– No spill and fill in change management.
– Forced redundancy to be used only as a genuine last resort.
– New ongoing positions to substantially reduce casualisation.

3) EQUITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The NTEU has made important proposals to improve social justice in our workplace that deserve serious consideration.

We want to see included in the Agreements:
– Binding numerical targets for Indigenous employment at UTS.
– Adequate leave provisions for people who experience domestic violence.

4) FAIR PAY

Management’s 2.9% p/a pay rise offer is not good enough.  We want a fair pay increase that takes into account cost of living increases in Sydney, as well as the increased workload of staff.

5) RESPECT FOR STAFF IN BARGAINING

 We want UTS management to:
– Ensure the decision-makers from the University participate directly in the bargaining meetings.
– Seriously consider our proposals by carrying out a costed assessment of our draft Agreements.

To find out more information about the NTEU UTS member’s causes of action click here, www.nteu.org.au/uts

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