Week 2 of industrial action at VU: what to expect, updated resources and more
Our branch continues to escalate pressure on the key decision-makers at VU this week, with several core university systems now banned as part of our industrial action.
At the members’ meeting earlier today, we heard reports from both professional and academic staff of work teams holding the line on industrial action for the second week in a row. We were encouraged to hear stories of real solidarity; members (and some not-yet members) refusing to cover canceled classes or undermine the sacrifices of their colleagues who have been stood down.
Further industrial bans began today, drawing more VU staff and students into the disruptive effect of industrial action. The intent is the same: industrial action reminds management that without staff, VU would not operate. Shoemaker is not a University.
NTEU VU branch has been heartened to see many messages of solidarity from VU students – not to mention being CC’d on various emails to Adam Shoemaker expressing frustration at his poor leadership. It was this flood of student emails that led to VU management accusing NTEU of illegal industrial action for contacting students. Talk about touchy.
Shoemaker and VU leadership are making a choice to spend their time accusing NTEU members of illegal industrial action rather than making meaningful offers to address the unhealthy and unsustainable overwork, lack of flexible work arrangements or recognition of cultural load.
Either way, it’s clear that union members taking serious action to achieve their vision of a better VU is a concept VU management is struggling to compute.
Industrial action:
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For members who were stood down from last Monday, the university is continuing to refuse to accept partial work from you and you are stood down until Friday 13 September. In other words, if you are able to use or access StudentOne or Right Now in your role, regardless of how often or whether you do, you are effectively stood down until Friday, unless otherwise notified.
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For members in the Learning Hub, you have been stood down without pay from today, until Friday.
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For all other members, you can continue to work and be paid as normal unless otherwise notified, except for the use of the following systems:
Please note that these bans may be lifted earlier than Friday, should management come to the table with reasonable offers on our three key demands.
Direct action:
The branch is planning a direct action targeting graduation ceremonies this week. Further information will be communicated once exact details have been confirmed. Please keep an eye out for emails and texts, or check www.nteu.au/bargaining/vu for updates.
Members’ meeting: 3pm Wednesday 11 September
A members’ meeting has been called for 3pm this Wednesday 11 September on Zoom to provide members with an update on progress at enterprise bargaining this week, including any responses from management to our ultimatum. Register here.
Resources:
NTEU Industrial Defence Fund:
Access to the National Industrial Defence Fund is available for affected NTEU members. Defence Fund support is provided on the following basis:
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Members who are stood down are eligible for payments from the Industrial Defence from the third consecutive day of industrial action at a rate of $200 per day.
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For the first two days of the action, casual and low-paid members who take industrial action are able to apply for hardship payments subject to their circumstances.
Apply for access here.
Got more questions re: industrial defense fund access, email: [email protected].
Information for non-members
VU staff who are not yet members of the NTEU can join the union at any time during the period of industrial action, and can participate as soon as they are a member.
The branch urges NTEU members to share this information with staff in their work area to encourage them to join the struggle for a better VU.
In strength and solidarity,
NTEU VU branch