Universities Delegates Plan a Stronger Union Future
Universities Delegates Plan a Stronger Union Future
An important meeting has just been held by delegates from Griffith University, Queensland University, James Cook University and Queensland University of Technology to progressively plan to build a stronger union in the University sector for non-academic staff.
Delegates gathered on June 16 at QUT Gardens Point campus and began by analyzing how the CPSU is working to build a better university sector through our union.
Union delegates were briefed about the new Forward with Fairness legislation and discussed the opportunities and challenges it presents for our members.
“I feel that union members have been under siege for over 10 years,” said QUT delegate Graham Dawson. “It has been hard not to get frustrated but I believe that workers in universities are capable of building a strong union that will continue to fight for all of us in the future.”
Delegates also found that all University unions had faced the additional challenge of dealing with the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements legislation.
Key priorities for universities delegates for the future include ramping up union communication as well as visibility across all campuses - our union identity is an essential part of our workplaces and provides a great space to talk about improving Universities in the future for staff and students.
Communication by members and delegates within and between universities will be fundamental to building a strong union capable of dealing with issues like workloads, job security and working conditions.
Additionally, delegates identified the need to forge strong links with other unions to tackle key priorities for all non-academic workers.
Union delegates agreed to hold monthly phone conferences to continue to develop and implement a plan for building a stronger union in universities.
To find out what you can do to help build a stronger union in universities and make a difference for non-academic staff you can contact your nearest delegate right now – to find your delegate click here.