7 June 2023 | Open PDF

TO:  CQU QTU MEMBERS

CQU – ENTERPRISE BARGAINING UPDATE

It has been a long time since the CQU EB process started. Negotiations began in Term 2 2021, and a lot has been packed into that time, including two administrative pay rises, amounting to 4 per cent for vocational educators, that were negotiated by the unions and awarded by the university. This has gone some way to help compensate for increasing cost of living and to keep salaries in touch with those of the rest of the public provider network.

As you know, the unions agreed to a hiatus in bargaining at the beginning of 2023. This was because the university stated that it did not have the capacity to meet the unions’ pay claims. The university has been open about the operational and financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its possible path to fiscal recovery. The budgetary situation continues to be significantly impacted, with a softened domestic higher education student intake and reduced international enrolments. Anecdotally, we understand that vocational education enrolments are improved. The parties agreed to suspend negotiations until the budgetary situation was clearer.

With the end of Semester 1 approaching, the parties have agreed to return to the bargaining table on 13 July. A revised financial report is anticipated.

In the meantime, work continues on the implementation of memoranda of agreement to implement some of the components of a replacement agreement in advance of certification. Trials of the foundation educator and head of course VET classifications are being discussed.  It is anticipated that working conditions that have already been settled will also be trialled in advance of certification, if negotiations continue to be drawn out.

Work has also now commenced on the negotiation of a replacement certified agreement for TAFE Queensland (TQ). Staff in TQ have been offered 4 per cent, 4 per cent and 3 per cent over a three-year agreement, in accordance with state wages policy (SWP). The AEU(Q)/QTU log of claims for CQU called for pay parity with TQ. The application of SWP in TQ will increase the gap between CQU and TQ employees, and this must be addressed by CQU in any pay offer.

The TAFE Organiser will be visiting CQU branches from 20 to 22 June. Keep an eye out for meeting invitations.

Authorised by:

Kate Ruttiman
General Secretary

 Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064