MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
ACADEMIC ENTERPRISE BARGAINING GROUP
9:00 AM, WEDNESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 1999
CONFERENCE ROOM, TC LAMBLE BUILDING

There were no apologies.

Meeting opened at 9:10am.

Jenny McParlane took the role of Chair.

ITEM 1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

Amendment to the resolution passed in Item 3 (Resourcing) to include the following "That the issue of resourcing would be finalised before the next meeting."

With amendment, the minutes were accepted by the Group as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of that meeting.

ITEM  2. Business Arising

2.1 Resourcing of NTEU EB Team

B Stoddart indicated that the University would confirm it latest view on the matter concerning resourcing of NTEU representatives by later today.

ITEM 3. Resourcing of NTEU EB Team

This issue was dealt with under Item 2 (Business Arising).

ITEM 4. Open Forums with Academic Staff

Much discussion took place between the parties over the level of communication to members of academic staff. The NTEU expressed concern over the Open Forum held on Friday 29 October.

B Stoddart noted that the University is trying to improve its level of communication with staff as was determined from the Communications and Consultative Survey conducted earlier this year.

The NTEU expressed that their members did not trust the University in holding such meetings and that there was an image problem with management. The NTEU also commented that it was outrageous that the University would attempt to communicate with staff without informing the NTEU.

B Stoddart expressed concern that the University must provide notice to the NTEU of its intention to communicate with staff (i.e. via open forums), but such notice was not required by the NTEU.

After much discussion, the NTEU advised that the issue of providing notice, whether formally or as a courtesy, was an issue which would need to be discussed by the NTEU Executive and their members.

Resolved: That the NTEU would discuss the issue of providing notice with members and their Executive and that the NTEU would attempt to have a resolution on the matter by the next scheduled EB meeting.

ITEM 5. NTEU response to the University Log of Claims

The NTEU provided a verbal response to the NTEU log of claims, following earlier written indications.

The NTEU advised that a meeting of members was held at which the log was discussed, and that a resolution was passed rejecting the proposal out of hand. The NTEU noted that much angst existed amongst members over the University's offer, and suggested that the offer showed a lack of respect to academic staff for the level of work put in in recent years.

T Battin questioned the University on the content of the Agreement, as it seemed to mirror the proposals contained with the Draft-In-Confidence Document of Dr Kemp and asked whether the University had prior knowledge of the contents of the Draft-In-Confidence Document.

B Stoddart informed the NTEU that at no stage did the University have any idea of what was contained or proposed by Kemp in the Draft-In-Confidence Document.

The NTEU raised a number of questions and seeked further clarification on issues regarding the proposed salary offer. The NTEU requested further information on the current levels of income received from different student categories (i.e. International students, full fee paying etc) and other information on costings associated with maintenance, OH&S obligations and Environmental obligations.

In closing, the NTEU stated its view that the proposal was very vague, lacked much detail and meaning, and was asking staff to forego existing conditions for unrealistic alternatives.

B Stoddart noted the issues raised by the NTEU and it was agreed that the University would take on notice the questions and issues raised and would have further comment at the next meeting so that the EB process could progress.

ITEM  6. Management response to NTEU Log of Claims

This matter was held over to the next meeting of the Group.

ITEM 7. Summary of Meeting

Resolved: That the following points would be sent out on UNE-business:

1. The University undertook to confirm it latest view on the matter concerning resourcing of NTEU representatives by later today.

2. That the NTEU would seek the opinion of their Executive and members on the proposal of providing notice to the respective teams when meetings are being called to primarily discuss EB issues as a matter of courtesy.

3. The NTEU provided a verbal response to the University's Log of Claims and outlined their position.

4. The University would provide a similar verbal response to the NTEU log of Claims at the next meeting.

5. The next meeting would also determine areas within both logs of claims for agreement and those for further negotiation.

ITEM 8. Other Business

There was no other business.

Meeting closed at 11:00 am