CPSU NSW bargaining update: Indigenous issues and Managing Change clauses
11 November 2021
Since our most recent bulletin there have been two bargaining meetings
The meeting scheduled for 26 October was rescheduled to 2 November, focusing on Indigenous matters. The University Bargaining Team was supplemented with presentations from Ms Natasha Mitchell and Dr Berice Anning.
The draft Indigenous clauses are important in promoting equity and social justice at the university. They address the issues of cultural load, Indigenous language allowance and cultural leave. UTS stated that they are to be read in conjunction with the Wingara Strategy.  There will be a further negotiations around these clauses later in the year.
The ninth bargaining meeting occurred on 9 November, focusing on Managing Change. UTS is proposing a number of changes to the way Managing Change operates at our university. These changes include:
- Reduction in Voluntary Separation (VS) and Redundancy payments. UTS is proposing to cap VS to 52 weeks, down from a cap of 78 weeks. As well as capping redundancy payments to 16 weeks, which is down from 38 weeks.
- Proposed changes to Consultation and Dispute resolution clauses.
- Focus on redeployment in relation to major workplace change processes.
- A priority to save costs rather than engage staff in a proper professional manner.
- Same benefits, process and opportunities for Academic and Professional staff.
CPSU NSW members at UTS told us job security was their no. 1 concern in the lead up to the commencement of bargaining. CPSU NSW has grave concerns about the university’s proposal; we have stated we want greater consultation then that is been proposed, whereas the university has a keen interest to be able to make rapid change due to external factors. In addition, the CPSU NSW does not support the proposal to reduce VS and redundancy payment.
The CPSU NSW also sought a commitment from the university the one per cent administrative pay increase would not prejudice future negotiations around pay quantums.
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UTS CPSU NSW Branch Committee
Vice President
Mark Christopher
Assistant Secretary
Andreas Dalman
Membership Registrar
Thomas Dobson