Brisbane universities launch major fight for pay and conditions during 'Strike-tember' industrial action

National Tertiary of Education Union members at three Brisbane universities have ramped up the fight for real pay increases, secure jobs and safe workloads. NTEU members at the University of Queensland on Wednesday secured the right to take industrial action. Results of a protected action ballot show UQ union members overwhelmingly support strike action and other work bans. NTEU members at Griffith University will be voting on their industrial action in coming days after the Fair Work Commission granted a Protected Action Ballot Order last Friday. At QUT on Tuesday, NTEU members voted unanimously to seek a Protected Action Ballot Order and an application will go to the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday seeking authorisation for the ballot. Quotes attributable to NTEU Queensland Secretary, Michael McNally: "Members are moving to action to avoid yet another protracted round of enterprise bargaining. "They are sick and tired of stalling and delay, and the refusal of management to engage meaningfully on our claims for secure work, reasonable workloads and a decent pay rise. "University staff have gone above and beyond to keep universities going through COVID and are watching their salaries being eroded by inflation. "It's time for university managements to actually recognise the efforts of their workers rather than just saying they do. Quotes attributable to NTEU UQ Branch President, Andrew Bonnell: "Ninety-three percent of members who voted support strikes for up to a day at a time, which shows you how keen they are to show management it's time to start negotiating seriously. "Every month members go without a pay rise, they are falling further behind inflation. "The ballot is already having an impact. Before the vote had even closed, management sent through invites for half a dozen additional bargaining meetings. "We have a protest and stop work scheduled for September 1 to kick off what members are calling 'Strike-tember'. "We hope the other Brisbane universities will be able to join us in taking action within the next couple of weeks."