• Why do we need to negotiate an Enterprise Agreement?
• When will negotiations begin?
• Are there any matters outstanding on the current agreement?
• Who are the parties involved in the next round of enterprise bargaining for Academic staff?
• What matters will be negotiated during the 1999 round?
• How long will the next agreement last?
• How will a vote be conducted of Academic Staff to endorse negotiated outcomes?

Submit your questions for consideration to the Industrial Relations and Workplace Change Unit

Why do we need to negotiate an Enterprise Agreement?

Unlike industrial awards which identify core conditions of employment, enterprise bargaining provides both staff and management the opportunity to change conditions of employment for a fixed period.

Variations to salaries and conditions of employment that support the University's strategic direction and financial situation may be jointly agreed for a fixed period.

When will negotiations begin?

Around September 1999.

The current Academic Staff enterprise Agreement is in force until 1 October 1999 or until replaced by another agreement (as provided for in S.170LX of the Australian Workplace Relations Act 1996).

Additionally, Clause 9 of the current agreement states "The parties undertake to re-open negotiations three months prior to the expiration of the period of this Agreement with a view to negotiating and settling any replacement Agreement ...".

The commencement of negotiations in September is consistent with these clauses.

Are there any matters outstanding on the current agreement?

Yes. There are still a number of issues that have yet to be concluded through the Academic Enterprise Bargaining Implementation Committee. Such matters include a sign-off on workload, performance enhancement, research only promotions and sick leave provisions.

Once these matters have been concluded we will have fulfilled our obligations under the current agreement. Any new agreement will replace existing arrangements.

Who are the parties involved in the next round of enterprise bargaining for Academic staff?

The 1999 enterprise bargaining round will involve NTEU representatives, staff representatives and management.

Negotiations have not yet begun. Until they do, it is not possible to determine what will be subject to negotiation.

It is proposed that the next Academic staff enterprise agreement will be for a period of 36 months from the date of certification in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

How will a vote be conducted of Academic Staff to endorse negotiated outcomes?

Procedures for voting shall be as follows:

• All full time, part time or casual staff (including student employees) covered by the agreement and employed by the University at the day of the ballot are eligible to vote in the ballot.
• If a member of staff is not able to vote on the day of the ballot they will be entitled to send their ballot by internal mail to reach the Returning Officer no later than the day of the ballot.

The voting process will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission or another independent Returning Officer. Staff that do not vote will be counted as accepting the agreement.

When the agreement is accepted, the agreement will be signed off by the Vice Chancellor of the University and the nominated representative of the NTEU. The agreement will then be lodged and certified at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.