A petition organised by the NTEU at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to stop a proposed decrease in staff representation on the university's governing body was delivered today to the University with more than 400 signatures.
Management at QUT are proposing to reduce the proportion of staff-elected positions from 25 per cent to just 13 per cent, while increasing the proportion of positions selected directly by management.
"There has been no evidence that similar changes at James Cook University have resulted in any positive effects for governance," said NTEU Queensland Division Secretary Michael McNally.
A 2018 QUT staff survey found that most staff felt that university management didn't listen to staff.
"Bizarrely, management's response is to reduce the voice of staff in the highest decision-making body," said Mr McNally.
"Without independently-elected staff representatives who care about the long-term future and sustainability of the university, we are concerned that the Council may descend into short-term opportunism that harms both staff and students.
"Corporate governance is a failed model; just look at the banks. The Council is supposed to provide strategic direction for and oversight of University management, not be run by it. Independently-elected staff must keep their voice on the Council," said Mr McNally.
The deadline for feedback to the Chancellor of QUT is today.
