Bowman sorry for union sledge as CDU students set for November summer semester

CDU’s vice chancellor has responded to union demands for an apology after he was accused of shifting blame for delays to a major project.

Charles Darwin University has apologised to unions for claiming an industrial dispute was to blame for the latest delay in its CBD campus project.

CDU vice-chancellor Scott Bowman last week issued a media release blaming union industrial action as part of enterprise bargaining negotiations for a five-month blowout in the first student intake.

Originally scheduled for the start of 2024, it was put back until July this year, then last week Professor Bowman announced the first student intake would be delayed until November.

In last week’s statement, Professor Bowman said “union industrial action” was “slowing down contractors, resulting in a delay to the completion of the new Charles Darwin University Education and Community precinct.”

Charles Darwin University’s CBD campus. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Electrical Trade Union NT organiser David Hayes immediately dismissed the claim, saying there had been a one hour stoppage and protected and limited industrial actions over a period of three weeks during the 30-month life of the project.

ETU organiser David ‘Strawbs’ Hayes hit back again this week, saying the claim was “despicable”, and he demanded Professor Bowman apologise on behalf of CDU.

After initially denying he’d blamed the union, Professor Bowman walked his comments back on local radio on Thursday.

“The workers have done a magnificent job,” Professor Bowman said.

“I mean, I would not want to be working inside that building without airconditioning.

“They’ve been magnificent, and they’ve come up with a great building, and the electrical workers in there have done a magnificent job as well.

“I spoke to ‘Strawbs’ this morning and I apologise if my message was clumsy, I didn’t blame anyone.”

For its part, the union was happy to move on.

“We accept the vice chancellor’s apology,” Mr Hayes said.

“It was genuine in nature and we look forward to working with him to get the process completed.

Mr Hayes said reasons for the project’s delay include constant design changes, delays building the structure, lack of access to workers due to only two lifts operating and safety concerns for workers online.

He said NT WorkSafe visited the site over amenities at the campus project and not silica as earlier claimed. He said Halikos Group acted when, on two occasions, it was identified control measures in place to curb silica dust were inadequate.

First students are now expected to attend the campus when summer semester begins in November.