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I think I might do a blog about this later or something, but for now, here's a series of posts on NTEU Nationals and their problems with communications, which is causing a larger problem, which I think is a tempest in a teapot. 1/
Before I start, I must say this is all my own opinion and not that of any NTEU member or committee members or NTEU staff or any pets or anything. Just me. 2/
OK, some backstory that I'm sure people involved in this already know: A week or two ago NTEU National met and passed a couple motions that gave them ability to do two things: 1) push the Government for more funding (and no, the weak package put out on Sunday doesn't cover it) 3/
and 2) form a framework that allowed them to negotiate with the universities (and the Government) as a single entity in the interest of protecting their members. They did this themselves, without consultation of division or branches or members. 4/
Part of that framework involves a last-resort option of giving concessions to the universities, in the form of reduced pay, being forced to take leave to clear balances, and not getting scheduled pay increases (among other things). 5/
These concessions, along no discussion, angered many members, including those on branch or division (state) committees. Before you start negotiating on what we'll give up or do, you should consult us first. That didn't happen. 6/
Some of these people took the news back to to their branches and passed motions censuring National and demanding National not give any concessions, that the universities or government handle this as a whole. 7/
In addition, a petition was made ( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqBKfP1P1wrytaRcxdE3wtm9dkaisuxrLwcM12NOK689az0Q/viewform), as well as a Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/NTEUfightback/ ). They have hundreds of signatures/members (I'm actually on that petition as I signed it before I learned more information). 8/
NTEU is having State-wide information sessions over zoom. They are calling them member meetings, but there's no motions or voting or anything. In those, they attempt to explain the "concessions" part of the motions they passed, as well as talk about how we fight. 9/
So that brings us to the current day. There's an amount of unrest in the rank and file, and I think the large majority of it comes down to COMMUNICATION, not concessions, which is a big part of the "vote no" campaign (but not the only thing). 10/
NTEU National took action and passed a motion that affects its members without consulting its members. That's not cool. However, with COVID-19, everything happens so much (to quote @horse_ebooks). And so fast. 11/
Doing member/branch/committee meetings would take a while when the universities and government are moving quickly to secure funding, with or without our involvement. (this is my guess at their motivations) 12/
As (AFAIK), this sort of action isn't a common occurrence with National (about something so important), I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and not see it as a power play or takeover or anything. That may just be me being naive, I admit. 13/
After they took this move, they seem to have communicated this poorly to division and onwards. They still continue to this day. Alison Barnes almost read the motion in the Vic member meeting today, and dispelled rumours, but right now, members STILL can't see the motions. 14/
This is breeding fear and anger, as assumptions are being made about the contents of the motions, and some are true and some are not. I heard some '20% pay cut' rumour in the meeting today (which Alison dispelled), but you have to trust National right now. 15/
That's tough for some, and goes back to how this was put in. I honestly think the best thing NTEU National can do is release the text of the motions to its members. That would let people read the motions and make up their own minds, and prevent a lot of headaches. 16/
As for the concessions in the motion, I've been made to understand they're a LAST RESORT, meaning the universities have expended all cash surpluses/stopped capital works/etc. already, as well as the government not kicking in enough. 17/
This also includes the union having done all legal/industrial means to preserve the staff and their pay. ONLY THEN are concessions considered, and only in a way that protects the lowest paid and more greatly affects the higher paid (including the VC/senior exec). 18/
These concessions are only to be done to protect all members (including casual). Basically, this is the "well is dry" point. Uni has no more money, Government is out or keeping it, the choice is "fire people" or "give concessions". 19/
You can argue "give concessions" never saves people (as the "vote-no" campaign does), and that's fair. However at that point, I don't know what other options there are that protect everyone. Presumably we've already taken industrial action at this point. 20/
It's also worth mentioning, IF it gets to this point, any concessions will require a change to the EBA, which involves a vote of all members at the university (and non-member staff? I don't know). This is where the "vote-no" would want you to vote no, as I understand it. 21/
This would involve workers losing their jobs though, as this is an end of the road situation if we're at the point of voting. 22/
To sum this up, the "vote-no" campaign and NTEU are both fighting for 99% of the same thing. They BOTH demand the Government fully funds all staff (continuing, fixed term, casual). They BOTH demand that the Government stops being racist and supports International students. 23/
They BOTH are prepared to use whatever legal and industrial means necessary to win things for their workers. But if all that happens, and things are still dire, what do you decide? That is where this comes in. That is your choice. 24/
As an addendum, I should note that the newer "vote-no" campaigns talk about Universities using credit to fund staff, and the NTEU National motions do not mention this (as far as I know). I think they only talk about surpluses. 25/
To finalise this, I really really encourage the NTEU National office to release the text of the motions. Hopefully that gives people a fair picture of the plan. To not release them lets "vote-no" campaigns spread misinformation (unintentionally or not), and hurts the cause 26/
At the end of this, we are all on the same side here (again, being naive? 
). We need to unite to fight the Government and universities to protect all workers, something we all want, and while I understand we can have different opinions on how, facts should lead the way. 27/
). We need to unite to fight the Government and universities to protect all workers, something we all want, and while I understand we can have different opinions on how, facts should lead the way. 27/
I should have done this as a blog post.
