Higher Education

Mat Leave for Uni Casuals

Parental Leave for Casual General Staff at Universities a Step Closer

By Sue Williamson
Federal Industrial/Research Officer

The Community and Public Sector Union has started cases to give parental leave to long-term casual general staff in Universities.

The Union is applying to vary several awards covering general staff in the University of Adelaide, Queensland universities, the University of New England and the University of Western Sydney. The awards will be varied in line with the decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to vary the Metals Industry award to provide parental leave for long-term casuals.

This means that casuals who have worked for a University on a regular and systematic basis for at least 12 months and who have a reasonable expectation of ongoing employment can now take parental leave like other employees.

?The Union has been instrumental in improving parental leave for general staff at universities?, says David Carey, Joint National Secretary of the CPSU. ?University awards have lead the public sector in their parental leave provisions and this trend will continue.?

Only last month the Union negotiated a year?s paid maternity leave for general staff at the Australian Catholic University. The Union is now improving parental leave provisions for other workers?, says David Carey.

?This includes ensuring that long-term casuals are not discriminated against and are able to access the same parental leave provisions as their permanent counterparts. This is another significant step forward to secure benefits to assist workers to combine paid work and family responsibilities?, says Mr Carey.

The CPSU is working towards varying all of the awards covering casual general staff in universities. Additionally, the Union will include demands for other parental leave provisions as awards are renegotiated, including:
· increased paid parental leave for fathers,
· increased paid maternity leave and
· better right of return to part time work after taking parental leave.

The Community and Public Sector Union is the General Staff Union for Universities

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

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/higher_ed/20010912_Casuals.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005