What’s on the bargaining table?

The University of Melbourne is now offering a nominal 16 per cent salary increase, 2 per cent of which was paid as an ‘administrative increase’ in April 2009 and another 2 per cent of which will be back-dated to 2009 if we come to an agreement relatively quickly. ‘Nominal’ means adding the point-by-point percentage salary increases over the life of an agreement without taking account of percentage compounding.

In November 2009 the National Tertiary Education Union reduced its claim to 18 per cent (including the 2 per cent already paid). The NTEU also endorses an additional 2 per cent being back-paid.

This paper updates an earlier version that preceded the University’s most recent offer. It repeats some of that paper but recalculates the data tables to show the relative effects of the 16 per cent offer and the 2 per cent back-dating.

It concludes that the University’s offer is inadequate.

Download the updated document here (pdf).

This brief paper looks at University of Melbourne salary trends in the context of salary trends in the higher education sector and more broadly.

It will rely mainly on charts and tables, clarifying in text only when necessary.

The evidence the paper presents is blunt: The University of Melbourne is slipping down the national higher education pay scales for both academic and professional staff (general staff), a trend the University seems intent on exacerbating.

Download the full report here (pdf)

Best wishes for the festive season

From the NTEU Victorian Division

The officers and members of the Victorian Division of the National Tertiary Education Union hope that you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and happy festive season, and share a fruitful 2010.

Like many in our community, we at the NTEU will take some time to contemplate what we can do to help the disadvantaged in the community and around the world.