Bargaining kicks off at Murdoch with first meeting on 13 June

The first bargaining meeting for the next Murdoch Staff Agreement was held on Tuesday 13 June 2023 between the NTEU Murdoch Branch bargaining team and members of Murdoch University senior management.

---

Download the PDF of the email sent to member on 15 June 2023

You can read the accompanying email to members by clicking the purple button

---

Already a small win!

We've already seen progress from the first meeting following a review of the NTEU Murdoch Branch Log of Claims with senior management agreeing to amend the professional staff reclassification clause, bringing it into line with the corresponding clause that applies to academic staff promotion.

Murdoch professional staff, like their academic colleagues, can now re-apply for reclassification after 12 months. Prior to this, professional staff could only apply for reclassification once (See Clause 17.3 of the current Murdoch Staff Agreement).

Bargaining started officially with a smoking ceremony led by Whadjuk, Wilman, Kaneang Noongar man, Alton Walley.

Alton explained the purpose of the smoke, and the cultural importance of permissions bestowed on him to perform the ceremony on behalf of his family and elders. Participants were welcome but not obligated to pass through the smoke created from wetted peppermint leaves to take on the cultural safety the leaves provide.

NTEU WA Division Secretary Dr Cathy Moore spoke of the welcomed opportunity to engage in authentic bargaining at Murdoch University and re-stated the Union’s intention to seek the best possible conditions for all Murdoch staff.

Murdoch VC Professor Andrew Deeks outlined how the bargaining process would be underpinned by the three pillars of Murdoch University's strategic plan: an emphasis on First Nations; equity, diversity and inclusion; and sustainability.

The role of the NTEU Murdoch Branch bargaining will be to advocate for all Murdoch staff and make sure that senior management upholds the rhetoric of Vice Chancellor Deeks.

From L-R: Prof Jennifer Verduin (PVC, College of Environmental & Life Sciences), Dr Lydia Wells (Acting President, NTEU Murdoch Branch), Prof Guillermo Campitelli (PVC, Health and Education), Stuart Venables (NTEU Murdoch Branch Organiser), Jon Prince (NTEU Murdoch Branch Committee Member), Denise Mercer (NTEU WA Division Industrial Officer), Dr Cathy Moore (NTEU WA Division Secretary), Sharon Russell (Chief People Officer, Murdoch University), Prof Andrew Deeks (Vice Chancellor, Murdoch University), Ian McKernan (NTEU Murdoch Branch Committee Member), John Hill (Senior Employee Relations Manager, Murdoch University)

We will ensure that a flagship agreement is reached that benefits all staff at Murdoch and restores the trust that has been lost through the actions of previous senior management regimes.