‘Multiple jobs just to put food on the table’: RMIT staff strike for two weeks

Staff at a major university have walked off the job for two weeks, an act that could affect lower socio-economic groups and the most marginalised learners.

Teachers are working multiple jobs to keep food on the table as union members from one university strike for two weeks.

Vocational teachers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) downed tools on Thursday over pay and conditions.

A two-week strike was “unprecedented”, the National Tertiary Education Union said.

The relevant enterprise agreement expired 900 days ago, the union said. RMIT said the majority of classes would not be affected, and the university was “committed to continuing to bargain in good faith”.

RMIT city campus in the Melbourne CBD. All campuses will stay open during the strikes. Picture: Google

National Tertiary Education Union Victoria secretary Sarah Roberts said “a lot” of RMIT vocational education teachers were “juggling multiple jobs just to put food on the table”.

Ms Robert claimed university management had “to get serious on a fair pay rise”.

“Vocational education is absolutely essential because it’s a common entry point to tertiary study for lower socio-economic groups and marginalised learners,” Ms Roberts said.

National Tertiary Education Union Victoria secretary Sarah Roberts said typically the most disadvantaged students learnt vocational skills. Picture: Supplied

“RMIT management’s refusal to offer vocational education teachers a fair pay rise shows utter disrespect for the incredibly important work they do.

“Instead of being rewarded for their tireless efforts, vocational education teachers have been confronted with aggressive industrial tactics.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews checks out the Technical Director Advanced Manufacturing Precinct at RMIT in June 2022. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“A two-week strike speaks volumes about the determination of NTEU members to stand up for a fair pay rise that helps them meet the soaring cost of living,” Ms Roberts said.

An RMIT spokesperson said the university “acknowledges NTEU members’ right to take protected industrial action and we are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith to get the right outcomes for our community”.

Some vocational education classes may be affected by the industrial action, but higher education classes will be unaffected.

“Our priority is ensuring continuity of teaching and support to our students, and we have contingency plans in place to help minimise any disruption,” the university spokesperson said.

RMIT’s three Melbourne campuses will remain open.