Higher Education

ILO to examine Government's University reform agenda

Seven trade unions covering university staff throughout Australia are taking part in national strike action on Thursday to pursue bargaining
claims and to protest the Federal Government's proposal to tie $404 million in education funding to hard-line industrial reform.

"The Federal Government is forcing universities to take away the rights of university staff to collectively bargain and have freedom of association," said ACTU President Sharan Burrow.

The unions have referred the matter to the ILO's Committee of Experts as a breach of Article 4 of ILO Convention 98 on freedom of association
and the right to bargain collectively. This requires the Australian Government to promote collective bargaining with unions as the
legitimate representatives of employees.

Community and Public Sector Union Federal Secretary David Carey said the requirements,
on top of declining amounts of funding, would make it increasingly difficult for universities to operate.

"Our members don't take industrial action lightly.

"University general staff work very hard to provide the best support and services they can to students and teaching staff in increasingly difficult circumstances.

"Asking them to give up such things as job permanency and maternity leave was the last straw," said Mr Carey.

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/campaigns/higher_ed/20031016_167.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005