Deakin University, NTEU pleased with overwhelming ‘yes’ vote to new enterprise agreement proposal from staff

After months of negotiations, and industrial action including a 24-hour strike, Deakin staff have voted on a new enterprise agreement.

After close to a year of negotiations between Deakin University and the education union, staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new enterprise agreement. Picture: Alan Barber

The almost year-long enterprise agreement dispute behind Deakin University and the education union is nearing a close, after staff overwhelmingly voted in favour of a new proposal.

The university and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) Deakin branch reached an in-principle agreement last month, 10 months after discussions first started.

The draft of the final agreement was put out to staff for a vote, with Deakin vice-chancellor Iain Martin reporting 67 per cent of eligible staff voted.

In an email sent to all staff, Prof Martin said 98 per cent voted in support of the 2023 EA and two per cent submitted a “no” vote.

“We will now proceed to submit the 2023 EA to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for approval,” Prof Martin wrote.

“One of the commitments in the new 2023 EA is the provision for a four per cent pay increase annually for the three years of the agreement.

“Recognising the dedication and contributions of Deakin staff, we will bring the first pay increase forward to the first full pay period in October.”

Prof Martin said in line with the majority “yes” vote, the university would move that the upcoming Melbourne Cup public holiday would be a university holiday, even if the 2023 EA has not at that time received approval from the FWC – a process which can take months.

“We are committed to ensuring that this change will not disrupt teaching and learning activities and we will communicate this adjustment to our students,” Prof Martin said.

“I extend my thanks to each and every one of you for your participation in this process.

“Your engagement and support are instrumental in shaping the future of our university.”

NTEU Deakin branch president Piper Rodd, who also teaches at the university, said the group was “delighted” to have forced management back to the table through members collectively taking action, and that a “much improved” deal for all Deakin workers was negotiated.

“The new EA includes strengthened provision to ensure academic workloads are sustainable, more opportunities for secure employment to decasualise the workforce and, most importantly, provisions to ensure our voices are heard on all matters that impact the conditions we work under,” Dr Rodd said.

The acceptance of the new proposal follows Deakin union members taking protected industrial action, including a 24-hour strike – the first in the university’s history – in order to bring management back to the bargaining table.

University management failed to pass a non-union agreement with staff in April, with 62 per cent of participating staff voting “no” at the time.

Originally published as Deakin University, NTEU pleased with overwhelming ‘yes’ vote to new enterprise agreement proposal from staff