13 March 2023
Last Friday, we learned that the branch's application for a Protected Action Ballot was successful!
The Fair Work Commission ordered the ballot, in spite of some eleventh-hour objections from University of Melbourne management.
We expect the ballot will likely open for our members to vote on Wednesday, 22 March.
HOW DID UNIMELB MANAGEMENT REACT?
At the eleventh hour, management objected to the NTEU’s ballot application, complaining to the Commissioner about these two forms of industrial action:
A ban on use of the University of Melbourne’s online systems?
A ban on applying penalties for late submission of student work?
The Commissioner responsible for issuing the ballot dismissed UniMelb management’s complaints, responding:
‘The issue of questions to be put was considered very recently by the Full Bench in National Tertiary Education Industry Union v Curtin University ([2022] FWCFB 204).’
WHY DID UNIMELB MANAGEMENT OBJECT?
It seems management had not done their homework — or maybe their eleventh-hour objection was desperate.
NTEU members have noticed that management tends to object or react, when they feel an action will be effective in enhancing bargaining leverage for the NTEU at the negotiating table.
STAFF WORKING CONDITIONS ARE STUDENT LEARNING CONDITIONS
Of course what is being voted on is only the right for members to take these actions and be legally protected.
Whether or not our membership decides to proceed with these actions remains a matter for all of our members to determine.
Part of the strategic discussion on what action to take, and when, will be about enhancing the natural solidarity between students and staff.
WHAT’S NEXT?
In the coming weeks, members will be asked to vote on the Protected Action Ballot. Of course, I encourage you to vote Yes!
Members will then decide which actions to take and when, so stay tuned for a members meeting in the coming weeks.
