Macquarie University CPSU Bargaining Report
Macquarie University CPSU Bargaining Report
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| CPSU BARGAINING REPORT 23 June 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CPSU GAINS SUPPORT FOR ‘PURCHASED LEAVE’ Macquarie University has given in-principle support to the CPSU’s claim for a new ‘purchased leave’ scheme for all Macquarie University staff. Under the CPSU’s proposal all staff at Macquarie University will be entitled to purchase up to two additional weeks leave per year by sacrificing an equivalent amount of pay over twelve months to cover the cost of the additional leave. Taken in tandem with annual leave an employee could, under the proposal, take up to six weeks of paid leave annually – two weeks at the purchased leave rate, and four weeks annual leave at an employee’s substantive salary rate. CPSU Branch President, Greg Stark, said “our focus groups identified leave as an area where staff wanted to see real improvements - improvements both in terms of quantum and access. “With the incorporation of our purchased leave scheme, the new enterprise agreement will deliver on those priorities.” “The purchased leave scheme we’ve successfully negotiated with Macquarie University represents a realistic, low cost, tangible work/life balance initiative.” “To our knowledge, Macquarie University is the first University in the country prepared to offer employees an absolute right to purchase additional leave. “Whereas other similar schemes have relied on managerial discretion, our model raises the bar, it makes additional leave an entitlement, and to that extent it’s ground breaking.” Greg added. FIXED TERM EMPLOYMENT LOOMS AS A CRUNCH ISSUE Macquarie University and the unions remain some distance from reaching agreement over new provisions for fixed term employees in what looms as a crunch issue in bargaining. The unions are seeking Award related restrictions on the use of fixed term employment and limited conversion rights to allow fixed term staff to transition to continuing (permanent) employment. The University would prefer more flexible arrangements around fixed term employment, but have indicated they may be prepared to consider broader conversion rights for fixed term staff. Watch this space.
CPSU The General Staff Union – United we bargain, divide we beg!
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