UQ strike to challenge enterprise agreement

University of Queensland (UQ) staffers are set to go on strike again this week, marking 600 days since they first began bargaining with management to reach a new enterprise agreement.

In a statement released to the media, National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at UQ said their strike would fight for better pay and conditions. It’s the third full-day strike carried out by members, who first called for management to reach a new enterprise agreement over 600 days ago.

“It’s been more than 600 days since our last enterprise agreement expired in mid-2021, and the NTEU has been trying to negotiate a new deal with UQ management since then,” said NTEU UQ branch president, Associate Professor Andrew Bonnell.

“UQ workers are sick and tired of management dragging their feet.”

The strike will be held on Wednesday, 22 February, which coincides with the university’s first week of classes.

“The decision to strike during the first week of classes wasn’t an easy one,” explained Dr Annie Pohlman, vice-president of the UQ branch.

“But our students understand that our working conditions are their learning conditions, and we’ve had tremendous support from the UQ Student Union.”

Federal Greens politicians Elizabeth Watson-Brown, the member for Ryan, said she would attend the rally, noting her “extreme disappointment” in UQ management thus far.

“UQ is one of the largest employers in my electorate of Ryan, and I’m a proud alumnus. I have been extremely disappointed to see the repeated delays from UQ management, which has forced the NTEU to take this action,” she said.

“The Greens and I stand in solidarity with the NTEU and their members. UQ needs to do better for their staff and their students.”

NSW Senator Mehreen Faruqi, who is Greens’ deputy leader and also an NTEU member, will also be in attendance.

“Across the country, university staff are speaking out and bargaining for a fair deal on their campuses,” Senator Faruqi said.

“They shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail for the basic right of fairer working conditions, decent pay and secure work. The corporate model of higher education that is failing them needs to change.”