Members passed two motions on June 8 calling on Deakin NTEU members to commence a range of industrial actions.
The first action, to commence immediately, calls on NTEU academic staff to provide a version statement to students when marking assessments, commencing immediately in support of our claims for fair workloads and decasualisation:
You may have heard that Deakin staff are presently negotiating for a new enterprise agreement that will provide job security for casual staff and relief for workload pressures. These measures are aimed at ensuring that we can deliver high-quality teaching and provide you with the support you deserve.
If you’re not aware, an enterprise agreement is a negotiated set of conditions between a union and management that establishes the working conditions for staff.
Staff working conditions directly impact student learning conditions. Currently, the university does not allocate adequate time for marking your assessments. To mark your assignments, the university has only allocated 1 hour over the entire trimester.
Rest assured, I value your education and strive to provide you with full and comprehensive feedback. However, if workload pressures were relieved, we would be even better equipped to give you the time and service you deserve.
I understand that this statement may disrupt your learning, and I want to assure you that I do not take this action lightly. I strongly believe that taking this action will help us enhance your student experience at Deakin. You may have noticed students joining staff at other university protests across the country this year, and we would appreciate your support as these issues also impact your education. One way you can offer your support is by emailing DUSA (dusa-contact@deakin.edu.au), who can advocate for student rights and improved learning conditions.
Professional staff are encouraged to provide an appropriately edited version of this statement when interacting with students.