Higher Education

NSW: Sydney University Pay Negotiations

General Staff Union says - Time for a Real Deal!

By Maria Cirillo
University Staff Organiser

Negotiations between the University and unions for a new agreement are progressing slowly and the CPSU is concerned that the University is yet to make a pay offer.

The university is insisting that the issue of pay is tied to the outcomes of the Higher Education Review. The details of which won't be revealed until the Federal Government's Budget Announcement on May 13th, 2003.

The University of Sydney Vice Chancellor Gavin Brown has indicated that the University Senate Committee will need to be involved in any pay offer made to staff and is unwilling to make an offer until the Senate's post Budget meeting which will take place on 2 June, 2003.

Despite their refusal to show us the colour of their money, the University has been clear about what conditions they propose to take from General Staff.

Some (but not all) of the University's proposed changes are:

Reduction of sick leave

The University wants to reduce sick leave entitlements. Currently general staff can accumulate up to 100 days per year sick leave. The University want to stop employees accruing sick leave and are proposing that general staff have access to 10 days sick leave in their first year of employment, and 15 days sick leave in any subsequent year, with a maximum of 30 days that can be taken over a 2 year period. In other words if you take 30 days sick leave in 2004 then you are not entitled to any paid sick leave in 2005.

Termination on Grounds of Ill Health

The University is seeking a clause which would provide them with a process to terminate a staff member on the grounds of Ill Health. The CPSU is arguing that rehabilitation and negotiation - which is the current practice - should be codified, rather than introducing a process for termination.

Hours of work

The University wants to increase standard hours to 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday. Under this proposal no overtime will be payable for work performed on a Saturday or before 8pm at night.

Long Service Leave

The University wants the right to direct staff to take long service leave

Meal Allowances

The University proposes to pay meal allowances only where a staff member has been given less than 24 hours notice to work the overtime.

RDO and Flexible Working Hours

The University proposes to phase out the current RDO system and replace it with a flex system which would see the staff lose accrued hours.

All these issues will be up for discussion at the:

CPSU Special General Meeting
30th April
1pm to 2pm
General Lecture Theatre N205
Main Quad.

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

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/higher_ed/20030422_Bargaining.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005