NTEU Members' Meeting 6 November 2008

NTEU Members' Meeting 6 November 2008
Members attending the meeting at Footscray Park on 6 November 2008 passed the following motions unanimously;

Motion 1
That this meeting notes with anger and dismay:
1) the University management’s determination to see through the largest redundancy program in Australian university history.
2) that the redundancies, combined with course cutbacks, campus closures, car-parking changes, and management’s failure to enter seriously into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with its staff, have done great harm to the University’s reputation. They will do even greater harm to its reputation in the months to come.
3) for the University management’s failure to manage the University’s resources in a way that could avoid this scale of trauma. Senior management should be held accountable. We note that no senior managers will take a pay-cut, much less a job-cut, for their ineptitude. What is more, we remain profoundly skeptical about management’s motives in launching this program of redundancies.

Motion 2
That this meeting reaffirms the five motions passed unanimously by 350 VU staff at a meeting on 21 October 2008. In particular, we reaffirm our commitment to taking industrial action in pursuit of a Collective Agreement that would protect VU staff against such mistreatment by management in the future, should that be necessary.

Motion 3
That this meeting endorses the Union’s recommendation to pursue disputes over section 65 ‘Organisational Change’ of the current Enterprise Agreement. We shall take up these disputes ourselves, and we call on our colleagues also to take up these disputes.

Motion 4
That this meeting endorses the Union’s community campaign of engaging local politicians, media, and others with the scale of management failure of this crucial community asset for Melbourne’s greater western region.

NTEU Public Meeting 6 Nov - Update

Motions from community meeting on 6 November in support of VU staff

A well attended community meeting in Footscray heard from members of staff and students at Victoria University, and from Labor and Greens members of Parliament, on the concocted crisis at Victoria University and passed the following motions:

1. That this meeting calls on Victoria University to:Immediately stop its plans to cut 20% of education courses and sack 270 staff which will have a negative effect on higher education, the western region community and students who attend Victoria University.Halt campus closures until affected communities have had adequate time to review these decisions and have real input into the decisions which will have an impact on tertiary education in their area.Consider a wider range of sustainable alternatives to the present course of action that trades buildings for core education services and jobs.

2. That this meeting further calls on the Federal Government to provide improved funding to strengthen education services at Victoria University and repeal John Howard’s workchoices legislation.

3. That this meeting authorises the formation a Friends of Victoria University to lobby, support and take action to defend Victoria University as a valuable community asset for the west and the region.

4. That this meeting calls on Elizabeth Harman Vice Chancellor of Victoria University to resign immediately.

Things we can do 10

Attend the Public Meeting organised by NTEU this evening

Time: 7.30 pm
Date: 6 Nov
Place: The Church Hall 10a Hyde street. Footscray (next to Town Hall)

What is the future of Victoria University?

Confirmed Speakers:
Dr James Doughney, President, NTEU Victorian Division
Hon Colleen Hartland, Greens MLC for Western Region
Leon Burger, President, VU Student Association
Joanne Duncan MP, (ALP) member for Macedon
Scott Jordan, VU Politics, History and Social Sciences Association

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY BRANCH - NTEU

Check this website for more information about VU Staff cuts situation.

http://www.nteu.org.au//bd/vu

Western Suburbs Day of Community Action 6 Nov 2008

For those who are interested:

Western Suburbs Day of Community Action – Stop the Cuts: staff, students and western region community.

Thursday 6 of November :

Time: 9am, leave by 9.15 am.
Event: Melton Community Protest. All Welcome. Join the Melton Community in a protest against the closure of Melton campus and cuts to Victoria University and retrenchments. Melton Freedom Ride Bus leaves from outside Footscray Bowling Club, Hoadley Crescent , Footscray (Next to D Block, Footscray Park). Or meet us at Victoria University, Melton campus, Rees Road, Melton at 10 am. Return around 11 am.2.

Time: 1pm – 2 pm, NTEU members meeting (students and non-members welcome).
Report back on IRC application for an industrial ballot and strategies for action. Room G370, Footscray Park Campus.

Time: 7.30 pm, Public Meeting.
The Church Hall 10a Hyde street. Footscray (next to Town Hall) What is the future of Victoria University? Victoria University has announced it will sack 270 staff. What does this mean for the future of VU? What are the implications of quality of education provided to VU students? Defend Victoria University as a valuable public asset.

Confirmed Speakers:
Joanne Duncan, MLA for Macedon (covering Sunbury campus of VU);
Colleen Hartland, MLC for Western Metropolitan;
Dr Jamie Doughney, President NTEU Victorian Division;
Leon Burger, President VU student union;
Scott Jordan, VU student action group.

Invited but not confirmed: Elizabeth Harman, Vice-Chancellor Victoria University,
Hon. Julia Gillard, Minister for Education and Workplace Relations;
Hon. Jacinta Allen, Minster for Skills and Workforce Participation.

Attack the Issues

I have maintained from the beginning of this blog that I support VU Staff. I will get involve in students activities that highlight discussions and debates pertaining to how we can try and save as many jobs as possible.

However, I will not make this personal. Therefore I do not support any personal attacks on the Vice Chancellor, Liz Harman or any of the council members. I disagree with the manner in which the decisions were made (i.e lack of consultations, mediation or mitigating factors). I do not know the VC personally so I cannot make a value judgement or give you an opinion of her. As I reflect some people's career and achievements, most do not get to be at the top management without intelligence, management and people skills, hardwork, specialisation, peer recognition of their abilities... etc. Regardless of these abilities they can make mistakes and error in judgment pertaining to the decisions. And on these errors and mistakes we shall judge them.

So let's stick to the issues.

Justice Frank Vincent calls for apology from Don Nardella, MLA

31 October 2008

The following statement has been issued by the Hon. Justice Frank Vincent, AO, Chancellor Victoria University.

The Hon. Justice Frank Vincent, AO, Chancellor of Victoria University is surprised and distressed that the MLA for Melton, Don Nardella, has made a unreasonable and personal attacks on Victoria University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Elizabeth Harman, under Parliamentary Privilege.

He says: "It is important to note that the Vice Chancellor is an employee of the University who is charged with implementing the decisions of Council and entrusted with the management of the affairs of the University in accordance with the strategic directions and mission as determined by Council."

"It needs to be made clear with respect to the matters raised by Mr Nardella that the Vice Chancellor is acting under the directions of Council and in line with its decisions."

"The matters Don Nardella has raised about the future of Melton and Sunbury campuses and the University's need to staff it's courses and deliver its programs as efficiently as possible to which Mr Nardella referred, have been the subjects of the most serious consideration by Council over a substantial period of time through its committees, formal Council meetings and retreats.

The Vice Chancellor is responsible to Council for the implementation of its policy decisions."
"I call upon Mr Nardella to retract his inaccurate and highly emotive comments and apologise to the Vice Chancellor for the deeply regrettable personal nature of them."
The Hon. Justice Frank Vincent is not available for interview on this issue

Media Contacts:

Ms Christine White, Media Manager,Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria UniversityPh: (03) 9919 4322; mobile: 0434 602 884

Andy Gash, Snr. Media OfficerMarketing and Communications Department, Victoria UniversityPh: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255 900

VU Council Composition

VU Council
Composition

The Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor

Two persons elected by the board or boards established under the Statutes to be responsible for academic programs and courses of study in higher education and technical and further education in the University

Three persons elected by and from the staff of the University prescribed by the Statutes;
(Note 1 H/Ed, 1 TAFE and 1 General Staff)

Two persons elected by and from the students enrolled at the University prescribed by the Statutes; (Note 1 H/Ed and 1 TAFE)

Six persons appointed by the Governor-in-Council

One person appointed by the Minister

Six persons appointed by the Council;
Of the members appointed under sub-section (2)(g) & (i) -
(a) two must be persons with financial expertise with relevant qualifications and experience in financial management at a senior level;
(b) one must be a person with commercial expertise at a senior level;
(c) one must be a person who has substantial knowledge or experience of vocational education and training.
(d) three must be persons who live in or about the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

VU Council

Last week I was lucky to get an Observer's Pass to observe the Council Meeting. I had no idea who are the VU council. A big mistake. I should have familiarise myself. Anyway, this week, I decided to satisfy my curiosity and do some research. Ok. Ok I admit it. Any excuse to get out of working on my assignments. But... I can justify this as part of Human Service Organisation research?? Right?? Oh well, I tried :)

The information is available at VU websites & therefore public information. Im sure most of you have more interesting things in life than go surf websites for such interesting (NOT) information. Yes, I do need to get a life but that's another story for another day. So, here goes

Victoria University of Technology was established on 1 July 1990 by an Act of the State Parliament entitled the Victoria University of Technology Act 1990. The University, thorugh its Council and other Committees and Boards, pursues the objects and exercises the powers conferred upon it by the Act.

The Council is the governing authority and has the direction and superintendence of the University. The Council monitors aspects of university-wide activity, and oversees the formulation and implementation of the University Strategic Plan. It works closely with the Vice-Chancellor and President as the University's Chief Executive Officer to maxmise the efficiency and effectiveness of the University.

The Council has established a number of standing committees to assist it in its work, namely:

the Chancellor's Committee;
the Resources Committee;
the Strategy Committee; and
the Audit and Risk Committee.

These committees address specific and specialised matters and refer their advice and consideration of these matters to Council for final decision making. Membership of these standing committees consists primarily of members of Council. During the academic year, the Council usually meets six times a year. The standing committees generally meet on a monthly or bimonthly basis.

In addition, there is one statutory Board that is required by the Act or subordinate legislation to provide advice to Council or the Education and Research Board.

http://gpps.vu.edu.au/committee/id/1/cid/9/parent/0/t/committee/title/Council

NTEU Public Meeting

NTEU Public Metting

Date: Thursday, 06 NOV 2008
Time: At 7:30 p.m.
Place: Church Hall [Uniting Church]
10a Hyde Street, Footscray, VIC
Topic: “What is the Future of VU?”

Those Invited, include:
Julia Gillard, AU Deputy Prime Minister
Jacinta Allen, VIC Minister For Employment and Youth Affairs
Hon Justice Frank Vincent, VU Chancellor
Elizabeth Harman, VU Vice-Chancellor
NTEU Representatives to answer questions
All students interested in preserving VU
Any interested person or one who offers support of VU

Student Support Meeting

Next Student Support Meeting

Date: Wednesday, 05 NOV 2008
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: Footscray Campus, Bldg A, Room 315

For more information contact vu_sag@yahoo.com

Parliamentary comments by Don Nardella, Labor MLA for Melton

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
DAILY HANSARD
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Adjournment motion, Don Nardella, Labor MLA for Melton
Victoria University: campus closures

Mr NARDELLA (Melton) — My adjournment matter matter is for the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation. The action I seek is for her to have discussions with Victoria University, following its decision yesterday to close the Melton and Sunbury campuses, to force the university to institute transitional arrangements to retain higher education, TAFE courses and community activities at the Melton campus and to do what she can to stop as many redundancies of the 270 forced redundancies as possible.

Victoria University vice-chancellor, Professor Liz Harman, is destroying this great institution. She has presented a fait accompli to the university council regarding the campus closures and the 270 redundancies. Professor Harman and her sycophant management team announced the forced redundancies last week and then presented this fait accompli of the closures to the council yesterday. The council had toaccept the proposal or take a no-confidence position with regard to her. The vice-chancellor would have been forced to resign if her decisions had not been adopted. Professor Harman and her management toecutters took the easy decision in the Thatcher mould to implement economic rationalist policies that weaken local communities and to take away a critical piece of infrastructure that adds to the social capital and lifelong learning opportunities available in the disadvantaged and growing areas of the outer west where greater access and equity are needed.
She has form in the 2006 sackings and now these sackings two years later. Professor Harman is selling and closing the heritage, the assets and the legacy of generations of western suburbs residents, students and communities who have built up this great institution. She is just selling it off. In two years time she will move on. She will leave once her contract ends, but her legacy, her disaster and her scorched-earth policy and practice will remain from heringlorious wasted term of office.

Since being appointed to Victoria University (VU), Professor Harman’s modus operandi has been to sell,sell, sell — like an auctioneer — the campuses under her control. She is shutting down the Newport VU campus, not caring about the students in automotive studies who have nowhere to go next year. Who will train the western suburbs motor mechanics in the future? Certainly not VU! Professor Harman does not care, does not undertake real consultation or listen to reason, and is callous about sacking 270 people, with real families, just before Christmas. This is heartless. This is the Christmas present awaiting 270 families this year, following in the footsteps of Kennett, who sacked 1600 school cleaners just before Christmas in 1993. It is cruel and heartless.

For an intellectual, Professor Harman has not done any hard thinking in conjunction with local communities, students, staff and other stakeholders to build this institution, not to disassemble it and weaken it, to sack great committed hardworking staff at all levels, and to bring this great institution to its knees and into disrepute, where all staff are scared for their future and where VU will have real difficulty attracting staff in the future. It is a real tragedy that VU is disappearing into its own orifice and becoming unviable, where in the near future it will be taken over to survive long after Professor Harman and her sycophantic managers are gone.

Keep writing to your MP

Please continue to write (letters/emails) to your Member of Parliaments (MPs). As evident from the email Christine sent to her local state member and the respond she received our MP will listen and advocate on our behalf.

Christine had also written to her local Federal MP last week and received a supportive reply.

I wrote to my local Federal Member for Deakin, Mike Symon, last week and he too replied and said that he had forwarded my letter to the Minister of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations, and Social Inclusion, Julia Gillard for her consideration.

I know many have written to their local members. Email the reply to me if you are happy for me to blog it.

Letter to Joanne Duncan MP and her reply

A fellow student, Christine, wrote this email to Joanne Duncan, MP Member for Macedon and received the following response. [Christine has kindly given me permission to post the emails on this blog. Thanks.]


To: joanne.duncan@parliament.vic.gov.a
Date: 23/10/2008 11:39PM
Subject: Victoria University

Dear Joanne

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed staff cuts atVictoria University. Once again those of us who live in the Northern andWestern suburbs are being deprived of resources. I am a second yearstudent in the Bachelor of Social Work at the St Albans campus. I am asingle mother returning to study after many years at home caring forchildren (including 2 with disabilities). It would not be possible for meto study elsewhere largely because of other State Government educationpolicies which result in me needing to drive my children to St Albans eachday in order to access an education to meet their special needs. As aresident of Sunbury I am also concerned about the potential closure of theSunbury and Melton campuses. As our local member I would urge you toadvocate on our behalf for some degree of equity in the provision ofeducational resources.

Yours sincerely
Christine Quilty


From: joanne.duncan@parliament.vic.gov.au
[mailto:joanne.duncan@parliament.vic.gov.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 29 October 2008 11:14 AM
To: christine quilty
Subject: Re: Victoria University

Dear Christine,

Sorry I should have combined these two emails..
I raised this issue in Parliament last night with the Minsiter for Skills and Workforce Participation and wrote to the VU Council last week. Basically we want a meeting to ensure there is some transition plan and that post compulsory education continues at that site. I was very disappointed in their press release because I am of the view that if they offer courses that are relevant, students will come and this decision is premature given the Federal Governments current review which is very likely to increase funding to univerisites etc.The Minister and I will do all we can to keep this campus open keeping in mind the financial management decisions rest with the university and the university council..

Kind regards
Joanne

Joanne Duncan MP
Member for Macedon
telephone: 54 282138
fax: 54 282919

Draft Template

A fellow student, Anna L, wrote this letter to her MP and she is happy to share with other students who might like to use the template. Thanks Anna.

*********************************************************************
Date

[Name of Elected Federal MP for your area],
Federal Member of Parliament,[your electorate name]
Electorate,[address of MPs office in electorate][postcode]
(you can google this info once getting name from AEC)

Dear [MP’s name],

I am a resident of the [your electorate name, (look up in AEC website)] Electorate, and the (friend, sibling, parent, employer) of a social work student of Victoria University. I understand that effectively 1 in every 5 staff members, or 270 staff in total, will be cut from VU courses, and that smaller courses will be lost to the students of VU.

Victoria University was established to be accessible and to accommodate the learning needs of students who come from very diverse backgrounds and experiences. This had the flow on effect of encouraging professional employment and opportunities for individuals and families to not only improve their life prospects and escape the poverty trap, but also to reduce their dependency on social security payments, and to instead contribute to the economy through gainful employment.

VU gave hope to the community, hope to families that through appropriate education their children may have greater opportunities in life and a very realistic chance that they would be offered a place at a local campus in a wide variety of courses offered. The variety of courses and pathways catered to the needs of students who live or work in the western suburbs and therefore encouraged engagement in higher education and meaningful activity. Many of these students cannot afford a lot of travel on a daily basis, nor to live away from home in order to access a university education. Furthermore, many students both work and study within the western region and contribute to and strengthen local community.

Welfare and social work are key services to the western suburbs and many students complete the field education component of their studies within this region, and some then gain employment at these workplaces on completion of their placements; unpaid placements which amount up to a year’s worth of free service to the community. The Social Work course at VU sends students into the community field education placements each year, therefore creating strong and viable community links. If the social work course, or indeed staff from within it, were lost from VU, its service and contribution to the community would also be largely lost. Furthermore the welfare sector in the West may struggle to find employees and to provide the services required by residents. I believe the loss of jobs especially across social work and welfare related courses will prove to be detrimental not only to students but also to the western suburbs, and the economy over the longer term.

If major cuts occur Victoria University will no longer be a “New School of Thought” within the western suburbs of Melbourne. Such action will exclude many disadvantaged students from obtaining tertiary qualifications.

I appeal to you to lobby in support of retaining staff and courses at all campuses of Victoria University, particularly in the areas of Social Work and Welfare, and on behalf of many VU students who live or work within your electorate.

Yours sincerely,

(your name)

Media Release - Vice Chancellor

http://www.vu.edu.au/About_VU/Media_Releases/VU_will_provide_whats_best_for_west/indexdl_94087.aspx
VU will provide what's best for west
28 October 2008

Victoria University's (VU) Vice Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Harman today reaffirmed Victoria University's commitment to provide high quality post secondary education for all people living in the western region of Melbourne.

Professor Harman said: "The decision made by Victoria University's Council last night will see the University staying on track by offering the courses that students want, at the campuses they prefer in the western region of Melbourne, with the right staff and support services."

"Our aim is to make VU the first choice for vocational and higher education students in western Melbourne."

"We are currently teaching courses at eleven sites across the west and in the city. The arrangements are not optimal for students or for the University. Council has been planning for a better campus future for more than a year and deliberations will continue into 2009."
During 2008, VU commissioned major external reports about the educational needs of the western region and separate reports on each campus.

Council has now resolved to advance plans to meet the growth in student numbers in the western growth areas through development of VU at Footscray, St Albans, Sunshine and Werribee ensuring those campuses are viable and vibrant.

Council agreed that VU should stop enrolment of new students at two of its small outer suburban campuses at Melton and Sunbury from 2010, although it recognised that in courses deemed to be too small across the whole university enrolments may cease from 2009.
These decisions are subject to approvals from relevant Governments.

Professor Harman said: "Students who are currently enrolled at Melton and Sunbury campuses - 850 at Melton and 1550 at Sunbury - will be supported through their studies so that they can successfully complete their courses."

"Our analysis shows that even if we were to change our course mix and attempt to relocate other courses to Melton and Sunbury there is little possibility that either campus would reach a viable size by 2031."

The University will continue discussions with authorities at local, State and Commonwealth level with a view to VU assisting in partnerships for educational services that better meet the needs of local residents. This might be because other providers make use of VU land and facilities at Melton and Sunbury. Alternatively, students from Melton and Sunbury will continue to travel to other VU campuses in the western region, as the majority now do.

Professor Harman said: "Planning for our campuses, must be based on the real trends and forecasts of actual student demand for tertiary education over the next few decades in the western region."

"The University aims to develop an investment strategy that recognises that while the first call on funds goes to student needs, learning, teaching and research, the University nonetheless must find the means to provide first class facilities in the west for this education and research by improvements or extensions to our existing infrastructure."

Media Release - Chancellor

http://www.vu.edu.au/About_VU/Media_Releases/Council_backs_VU_VCs_plans/indexdl_94086.aspx
Council backs VU VC's plans
28 October 2008

The following statement was issued by the Hon. Frank Vincent, AO, QC, Chancellor Victoria University, following the VU Council meeting held on 27 October 2008.

Victoria University stayed on track last night to offer the courses that students want, at the campuses they prefer in the western region of Melbourne, with the right staff and support services.

The University Council supported the Vice Chancellor's redundancy plans for up to 270 staff linked to nonviable courses and disproportionately high salary costs compared to other expenditure.

The Vice Chancellor indicated that every possible avenue would be explored to reduce the number of redundancies required and the consultation period with staff will be extended.
In a separate debate, Council agreed to advance overall planning strategy for the University's eleven campuses to ensure that these best suit the region's future growth and educational needs. Progress on a comprehensive plan will be made in March 2009.

Council agreed that VU should stop enrolment of new students at two of its small outer suburban campuses at Melton and Sunbury from 2010, although it recognised that enrolments may cease in 2009 in courses deemed to be too small across the whole university. These decisions are subject to approvals from relevant governments.

The decisions will provide time for the University to continue discussions with authorities at local, State and Commonwealth level with a view to VU assisting in partnerships for educational services that better meet local needs than is currently the case.

It will also give time for the outcomes of the Bradley Report to be considered and for any material assistance that this may recommend to government that could benefit VU to be taken into account.

Council split on planned job cuts

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24566844-12149,00.html
Andrew Trounson
October 29, 2008

IN the face of looming strike action, Victoria University has determined to carry through with its plan to cut up to 270 staff in the next six months despite the prospect of a federal funding boost following the Bradley review in December.

But it was a split 13-7 vote with two independent councillors backing a motion from staff council members to freeze the redundancy pending a review of finances. While chancellor Frank Vincent said the redundancy program remained on track, noting that every effort would be made to minimise job losses, the National Tertiary Education Union claimed it was encouraged by the split vote.

In an email to staff, NTEU branch president Richard Gough said the vote "indicates a level of disquiet in council about management decisions that has rarely been seen".

The NTEU has condemned the job losses as premature given the prospect of a funding boost from Canberra in 2010 once the Bradley review reports in December. And commenting on the job losses earlier this week, Victorian Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan told The Australian "it is unfortunate that Victoria University has made this decision prior to the completion of the federal Government's review of higher education which is expected to report in December 2008".

Victoria University courses and enrolments cut

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24567680-2862,00.html
October 29, 2008 12:00am
VICTORIA University will cull unpopular courses from next year and stop enrolments at Melton and Sunbury from 2010.

The move follows fury over plans to slash up to 270 jobs across all campuses through forced and voluntary redundancies to save $27 million next year.

Victoria University has about 44,000 students at 11 sites in the western suburbs and city.
The university yesterday confirmed plans to scrap courses with small enrolments, and to develop growth areas in Footscray, St Albans, Sunshine and Werribee.

Things we can do 9 - Attend Public Meeting

We can plan to attend the Public Meeting organised by National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the community.

Date: Thursday 6 November
Time: 7.30 pm
Place: The Church Hall, 10a Hyde street Footscray.

Mark this date in your diary.