NTEU members in Federation University's Business disciplines have taken the unprecedented step of initiating an indefinite strike.
Union members launched the industrial action on Monday morning, to persuade FedUni management to agree to increase job security and protect staff from constant restructures, course cuts, and rounds of redundancies.
Members are also calling on management to accept clauses on consultation which would require the University to clearly outline the intended purpose of restructures, then publish evaluations assessing whether they have been successful.
"Assessing the outcomes of changes is a very basic managerial practice, and it is very concerning to learn that the University is opposed to this form of accountability," said Philip Taylor, Professor of Human Resource Management at FedUni. Professor Taylor is one of the striking staff members.
"Frankly I'm bewildered. We have historically tight labor markets in Australia. Why on earth wouldn't a business school be successful in this economic context? This is especially important for the Gippsland region," Professor Taylor said. "There is no logic that I can discern in the actions of FedUni management."
Union members voted last week by an overwhelming majority to stop all work activities from Monday November 11. They will be meeting daily as the strike continues to consider management's response to their action and how long to continue exercising their legal right to take it as part of Enterprise Bargaining negotiations. They will be requesting FedUni's Vice Chancellor Duncan Bentley attend a meeting with them so they can discuss their concerns with him directly.
"I would like to congratulate each and every one of these union members, who can all hold their heads a little bit higher this week," said Dr. Mathew Abbott, President of FedUni's NTEU Branch. "Their courage and determination in winning better Agreement provisions on job security and consultation are an inspiration to their fellow staff members at FedUni, all of whom have been suffering for years from management's addiction to restructures."
Nearly one third of staff in Business programs are now facing redundancy, while the number of courses on offer is set to be reduced by two thirds if management continues enacting its most recent restructure proposal aimed at the area.
"I and my colleagues in the Business area at FedUni all have bitter first hand experience of what mismanagement looks like at FedUni," said Professor Taylor. "This latest round of cuts is devastating for the affected staff but also for regional students who deserve access to high quality course offerings in these areas. Particularly at a time when businesses in regional Australia are adjusting to rapid economic and social change there is a need for a strong business school."
"The NTEU's Bargaining team has put forward excellent proposals for improving security at FedUni," Professor Taylor said. "For example, they are proposing that individual staff members should not be subject to more than one change process every three years. That's a perfectly reasonable proposal, which would improve the sustainability of our institution, protect staff mental health, and help ensure we continue to serve our educational mission in the regions."
"We are calling on management to agree to this and other NTEU clauses designed to make FedUni a more safe and secure place to work," Dr. Name said. "It's time to stop the endless restructures and start governing sustainably and strategically instead."
