Charles Darwin University receives pay rise under Enterprise Bargaining Agreement

Charles Darwin University employees are rejoicing after a long battle for better pay.

Charles Darwin University acting vice-chancellor Hilary Winchester welcomed news the university had successfully appealed the Fair Work Commission’s decision to reject its new EBA.

Charles Darwin University staff will get an additional 4 per cent pay rise over the next 18 months.

The Fair Work Commission on Thursday certified the university’s new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

Under the new Agreement, staff will receive a 2 per cent pay increase in both October 2023 and 2024.

Staff have already received the initial 4 per cent pay increase that was promised in the new Agreement, and CDU has already implemented other benefits the EBA included.

The FWC gave the university a seven-day period to fully implement the new EBA.

CDU acting vice-chancellor professor Hilary Winchester AM said the news gave staff certainty ahead of the Easter long weekend.

“This is fantastic news for university staff,” she said.

“Almost two thirds of our staff voted in favour of this agreement so today’s decision by the Fair Work Commission is welcomed.”

The EBA, which includes pay rises, sign-on bonuses and additional leave entitlements, received a 62 per cent majority ‘yes’ vote.

The agreement had previously been rejected due to concerns around voters’ eligibility during the polling process last year.

The university received votes from 59 per cent of its 1700-strong workforce.

Fair Work Australia rejected the EBA because casual employees not entitled to vote participated in the ballot.

Fair Work Commissioner Platt previously said this “raised an issue as to whether the proposed agreement has been genuinely agreed”.

Originally published as Charles Darwin University receives pay rise under Enterprise Bargaining Agreement