NTEU decries ‘stunt’ by Victoria University

Victoria Uni’s use of its computer system’s login screen to promote its pay offer to staff is a stunt, says the NTEU.

La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar has announced his university’s new partnership with the UK’s Sheffield Hallam University.

In today’s Higher Ed Daily Brief: computing capers, new international linkage

Union accused uni of ‘stunt’

The National Tertiary Education Union has labelled as a “stunt” Victoria University’s decision to urge its staff to vote in favour of a new enterprise agreement via a vivid screen image which all university staff see as they log in to their computer. The screen urges staff to “Vote Yes: Better Pay, Better Conditions”.

The university is trying to drum up support for its revised offer to staff on pay and conditions and has bypassed the union to put the offer to an all staff vote which opens this Thursday.

The NTEU said the screen message was making its members feel uncomfortable, particularly because the screen also contained a large “I agree” button to click on. The button is actually asking staff to agree to abide by the terms of usage for the university’s computer system, but that is not immediately obvious, says NTEU general secretary Matthew McGowan.

“You needed reading glasses, a magnifying glass or maybe even a microscope to read the small print alongside the “I agree” button,” he said.

La Trobe partners up

La Trobe University has partnered with the UK’s Sheffield Hallam University in a tie up which will see students from both institutions spend time at the other one. La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar said it was more important than ever for students to gain a global perspective and that the exchanges would enrich their learning and enhance their employability.

Sheffield Hallam vice-chancellor Chris Husbands, who is visiting La Trobe this week, said that creating global connections was vitally important. “It helps us better understand global cultures and provides our students and staff the opportunity to study, work and travel abroad,” he said. The partnership will also include collaboration in research.

La Trobe also announced today that Megan Fisher, who was most recently the director of research, innovation and commercial engagement at the University of Melbourne, is its new pro vice-chancellor for industry engagement.