Please attribute this statement to University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kent Anderson:
The University of Newcastle has today tabled a revised offer to unions and staff representatives as it moves to finalise enterprise bargaining ahead of Christmas.
The offer includes a 9.5% salary increase over three years, as well as six additional days of paid holidays per year.
If our proposed offer is accepted, staff will be entitled to a total of 20 days of paid annual leave and 10 paid University concession days – a total of six weeks of paid leave per year.
If our proposed offer is accepted, staff would also be entitled to access 10 days of paid Life Leave without any certificates and 15 days of paid personal leave.
17% superannuation in the higher education sector is one of the most generous arrangements in the country and we hope our negotiations see this level extended to casuals.
Our offer to the NTEU, CPSU and staff representatives strengthens benefits and conditions while securing the future of our University for the long-term.
We believe enterprise agreement negotiations are close to finality. We are keen to reach a mutually acceptable outcome so we can give staff certainty before they head off to Christmas.
The revised salary offer is 9.5% over 3 years to be paid as follows:
- 3.5% salary increase backdated to October 2022;
- 3% salary increase payable in October 2023; and
- 3% salary increase payable in October 2024.
Together, the package of salary and benefits over the life of the agreement is equivalent to an increase of 13.1% for continuing and fixed term staff and 16% for casual staff.
This is in addition to greater flexibility for staff and maintaining existing entitlements and benefits.
The University will meet with Union and staff representatives on Friday 2 December and hopes to reach agreement at this time.
