MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
ACADEMIC ENTERPRISE BARGAINING GROUP
9:00 AM, WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER 1999
CONFERENCE ROOM, TC LAMBLE BUILDING

There were no apologies.

It was determined by the Group that the first chair of the meeting shall from the University and thereafter alternate.

Brian Stoddart undertook the role of Chair.

ITEM  1. Minutes of Previous Meeting 

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 Enterprise Bargaining Negotiation Protocols

A draft copy of the Enterprise Bargaining Negotiation Protocols were tabled for members information. The group resolved to discuss and amend (if necessary) the protocols at the next scheduled meeting of the Group.

ITEM 3. Resourcing

J McParlane outlined that the NTEU has received the University's response in relation to matters of resourcing and stated that the NTEU were prepared, relunctantly, to accept the University's proposal subject to the following conditions:

1. That if Enterprise Bargaining goes longer than the end of January, then the issue of resourcing would be revisited.

2. A greater level of flexibility need to be provided to members of the group for use of the additional resourcing. (i.e. a need to provide resourcing to areas such as research and professional activities, not just based around teaching).

Resolved: That Jenny McParlane would provide a report/letter to the University outlining a number of examples which would provide the required level of flexibility in the use of the resources for consideration by the University.

That the issue of resourcing would be finalised by the next meeting.

ITEM 4. Communication

The issue of joint communication and independent communication was discussed. It was noted that each respective team would like to reserve the right to disseminate relevant information to their respective constitutents, however, a mechanism needed to exist whereby a joint communication on what was discussed, in brief form, needed to be developed.

ITEM   5. Schedule of Meetings

A schedule of meetings has been circulated and confirmed by the parties. The dates and times set aside for future meetings are:

• 3 November, (9:00am - 12:00pm)
• 9 November, (2:00pm - 5:00pm)
• 16 November, (2:00pm - 5:00pm)
• 24 November, (9:00am - 12:00pm)
• 26 November, (2:00pm - 5:00pm)
• 8 December (9:00am - 12:00pm)
• 16 December (2:00pm - 5:00pm)

ITEM 6. UNE Log of Claims

B Stoddart advised the NTEU that the University log of claims would be provided within seven days of this meeting (i.e. seven days from 6 October 1999).

The provision of UNE financial and other related statistical information was also discussed. G Dennehy commented that the University would be more than willing to provide all relevant documentation to the NTEU and that he would be happy to meet and discuss any questions or concerns any members may have regarding the finances of the University.

The NTEU requested the following information:

• the UNE 1996, 1997, 1998 Annual Reports;
• the UNE 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 Budget papers;
• copies of any information which required changes in reporting requirements;
• audit management letters for 1996 - 1998; and
• relevant DETYA data

Information on the year 2000 budget, data from faculties on budgeting in relation to retirement schemes would be made available as soon as it was finalised and, if necessary, approved by the relevant body (i.e. Year 2000 budget papers could not be provided until such time as they are approved by the UNE Finance Committee).

ITEM 7. NTEU Log of Claims

It was determined that the further discussions on the NTEU log of claims would be more productive once the University has tabled its log. This will enable the parties to do a compare/contrast exercise.

It was discussed that the next meeting of the group could focus on preliminary issues regarding the NTEU and UNE log of claims and that an initial full day lock-up of the parties to further progress the issues within the respective logs should be organised for the following meeting.

ITEM 8. Summary of Meeting

1. The issue of representation was raised and it was agreed that this issue would be resolved before the next meeting.

2. The resourcing of NTEU representatives, with a few minor issues to be resolved over the coming weeks.

3. That the parties agreed to develop a joint communication process by summarising each EB meeting for dissemination on UNE-business by the Secretary of the Group.

4. That the University's log of claims would be tabled within the next seven days.

5. That the University would provide as much financial information requested by the NTEU as possible.

ITEM 9. Other Business

It was requested by the NTEU that any correspondence from the University to and individual NTEU bargaining representative should be cc to all other members of the NTEU EB Team.

Meeting closed at 10:15 am