28 April 2023

Financial Hardship: Access to Strike Fund for May 3rd 

The branch has received confirmation that members who will suffer financial hardship as a result of the stoppage on May 3rd can apply for income relief from the National Industrial Defence Fund. 

If you are a low paid or a casual employee and expect a loss of 20% or more of your weekly pay as a result of taking strike action on May 3rd, please fill out this form.

Please note, access to the industrial defence fund remains at the discretion of the General Secretary and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Filling out the form does not mean automatic payment. 

The branch will be in touch with further information. 

Please fill the form out no later than 5pm 1st of May 2023. 

Informing the Employer You Struck 

You are not required to let your manager know you are taking strike action before you take it. You can simply walk out at the appointed time. 

Yesterday, the NTEU branch office gave notice of the May 3rd industrial action to the Vice Chancellor for all NTEU members. 

However, when you return to work, given that the University of Melbourne can't pay you under law for the period you were on strike (and you can't accept payment), you need to ensure that the period of your absence is known by the relevant manager so that they can deduct your pay. A simple email saying the following should suffice: 

I am just letting you know I took protected industrial action today, from 11am-3pm, in the form of a stoppage of work. What do I need to do in order not to be paid for that period? 

Yours, 

_______

How the University manages this process of deducting pay for the stoppage period in its internal systems is really a matter for the University. It is likely HR will write a proforma with the effect of confirming "Did you not work from 11am-3pm?" You need to answer truthfully. 

As a final check-off, be sure to check your relevant pay slip to make sure that your salary or wage etc., was deducted by the relevant amount (i.e. four hours or however long you struck).

Intention to Strike 

The branch office has heard reports that managers are asking NTEU members of their intention to strike. You are not required to inform them.   

Industrial action is meant to be disruptive. It should cause the employer to feel your absence -- and recall your value. 

Strike action is intended to remind management who does the work and who holds ultimate power in the workplace: you, who do the work. This is the power required to move management at the bargaining table to agree to widely- and deeply-felt claims. 

Of course, where there are safety reasons why you need to let management know of your intention to strike, that is appropriate.