[Muanet] Academics to Lash Out at AWAs

[Chris Latham]

Academics to Lash Out at AWAs


Date: 22 August 2006

University of Sydney staff are tomorrow (August 23) expected to call for
an end to Government interference in the University sector and for
University management to cease its attempts to push staff onto
Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs).

A mass meeting will be held all University staff held tomorrow in the
institution's historic Main Quadrangle.

	NTEU Meeting for all University of Sydney Staff
	1pm - 2pm, Wednesday 23 August
	General Lecture Theatre N205, Main Quad
	University of Sydney Main campus

Since media coverage last week it has been revealed that not only are
University management offering AWAs to staff in order to satisfy Federal
Government funding requirements, but that the University's efforts are
to include: 

* A fully staffed "AWA Service Centre" with a 1300 number and website;
* Development of 14 versions of non-negotiable AWAs for different
categories of staff;
* Engagement of consultants from other industries to manage and promote
the AWA rollout.

"The University fails to make a case on how these AWAs will enhance the
academic standing of the University. Most staff see it as another attack
on collegiality" said Michael Thomson, President of the NTEU (University
of Sydney Branch).

"The proposed AWAs appear to slash many enterprise agreement conditions
and will greatly impact on the job security of anyone who signs' he
said. 

"The NTEU has undertaken considerable measures to try and make sure that
staff are aware of what they stand to lose if they sign an AWA".

"The Union accepts the offer has to be made for the University to gain
access to Government funding, however the resources being thrown at this
by the University reveal the exercise to be an effort at union busting"
said Mr Thomson. 

"It is sad to see the oldest University in Australia be reduced to this
by Government interference and managerial rhetoric spouted by some in
the HR department" he said.

The meeting will be addressed by prominent members of staff with
expertise in the areas of industrial relations, AWAs and individual
contracting. 

NTEU officials will be available for interview at the conclusion of the
meeting.


For further information

Contact:

Chris Game 

Union:

National Tertiary Education Union 

Phone:

(02) 9212 5433 

__._,_.___
<http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97490431&grpId=10149979&grpspId=1600060375&
msgId=1432&stime=1156229905> 



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.murdoch.edu.au/pipermail/muanet/attachments/20060823/4098a12b/attachment.html