Uni wage deal is top of the class
Uni wage deal is top of the class
First UNE Agreement sets standard
PSnews
Issue Number 146, 30 September 2009
http://nsw.psnews.com.au/Page_NSWpsn1465.html
The Public Service Association has welcomed the first NSW University Agreement to be officially voted on by staff, saying it has set the standard for the sector.
Reporting that University of New England staff had approved a new agreement to cover General Staff and English Language Centre Teachers, the PSA said they voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of the new conditions.
“The Agreement gives a 17 per cent compounded pay increase over three years and returns to staff conditions that were stripped out under the WorkChoices laws,” the PSA says on its website.
It says the Agreement includes limits on the use of fixed term contracts and ensures comprehensive union rights.
President of the UNE Branch of the Community and Public Sector Union, Jennifer Mitchell, said the staff would now have excellent working conditions.
“Members told us to deal with the real issue of work-life balance to ensure the University is able to retain and attract the very best workers,” Ms Mitchell said.
We listened and now we will have what are arguably the best conditions in the sector."
She said as well as the pay increases, the main provisions of the Agreement included:
- Uncapped Sick Leave;
- Five weeks annual leave;
- 26 weeks paid Parental Leave and 2 weeks paid Partner Leave;
- Comprehensive classification procedures;
- Reasonable hours provisions;
- Limits on workloads and working hours and the right to refuse overtime;
- Increased superannuation and severance pay for fixed term employees;
- Paid Shutdown provisions;
- The ability to buy up to four weeks extra Annual Leave; and
- Access to part-time work on return to work following maternity leave.
Ms Mitchell said an application had been made to Fair Work Australia to approve the new Agreement.
Senior Industrial Officer with the CPSU, Andrew Holland said the agreement would deliver significant benefits to general staff at the University.