My Union Wrote an EBA

In this episode, Kate & Tony talk about a range of ways management is not your friend. The first is the appalling lack of leadership shown by management around the Gaza Solidarity encampment at Monash and their targeting of student protesters with bogus misconduct charges for daring to protest a genocide. Second, we talk about how our own NTEU staff are being shafted by management in their own...

In this episode, Kate & Tony welcome back Branch President Ben Eltham to update everyone on what has been happening. We discuss Margaret Gardner's lavish $127k farewell at the NGV, the cash grab that is the surge pricing on parking, as well as getting a bargaining update. We then finish the episode talking about the plan for the upcoming strike next Wednesday (the 20th), and why it is importan...

In this episode, we bring you the second of two episodes recorded at the teach-in held during the October strike. This time around you will hear the talks from members Chris Meallin and Marjorie Jerrard, who are both speaking about HR; the way that it has changed as a field over time,  why those changes are so damaging and detrimental to a harmonious workplace, and why strong unions are so im...

In this episode, we bring you the first of two episodes recorded at the teach-in held during the October strike. Here you'll hear talks from members Jathan Sadowski on the Luddites, Kate Murphy on the history of staff-student solidarity and the teach-in, and Kathleen Neal on the labour movement in the 13th Century. If you have questions you'd like answered, or any topics you would like to hear cov...

In this episode, Kate & Tony bring together one last episode for the year. They talk to Branch President Ben Eltham about where we are at with bargaining now that it has finished up for the year, as well as looking back over the year and what the Branch has accomplished, and looking forward towards what might be in store next year with our new Vice Chancellor. We then pass the mic over to Adam...

In this episode, Kate & Tony round out the semester by updating everyone on a bunch of different things. Most important is the result of the all-members meeting where we voted unanimously to initiate increased industrial action at the beginning of semester one next year if the university fails to make meaningful concessions in bargaining. This officially puts the university on notice and start...

In this episode, Kate & Tony recap the historic 48hr strike that began the week and look forward to how to continue building the momentum that we have. We've also a brief discussion on the roll out of the PhD fixed term contracts that were rolled out before Margaret Gardner jumped ship.  If you have questions you'd like answered, or any topics you would like to hear covered on the podcast...

In this episode, - the second of two strike-related episodes  - Kate & Tony bring everyone up to speed with the logistics of the strike; what is happening, when and where, as well as covering some FAQs and other important information for the strike itself. Tony & Adam then talk to Madi & Kelly, two student activists, about the student perspective on industrial action and why it is...

In this episode, - the first of two strike-related episodes that will drop this week - Kate & Tony bring everyone up to speed with what has been happening since the last episode,  and then have a chat with Abigail & Thomas from Melbourne Uni about their first weeklong strike at the end of August and lessons they learned from it, as well as the branch-wide strike that is currently unde...

In this episode, Kate & Tony give a wrap-up from Open Day, an update on the appeal at the Fair Work Commission, and talk about next week's half-day strike and action outside the University Council meeting in the CBD. Adam also has a quick interview with Tui McKeown about what the hell the University Council is and who is on it! If you have questions you'd like answered, or any topics you would...

In this episode, Kate & Tony navigate through the status of our log of claims and the universities response to what we have put forward. Spoiler alert: it's not great. We then welcome Adam to the pod proper to talk about open day. The link to RSVP to the Open Day and to sign the petition are both in the podcast linktree below! If you have questions about the process you'd like answered, or any...

In this episode, Kate & Tony give an update on the Fair Work Commission case, on Monash's rejection of our attempts to eliminate wage theft by fixing teaching classifications, and on the state of negotiations around leave provisions.  If you have questions about the process you'd like answered, or any topics you would like to hear covered on the podcast, drop us an email at myunionwrotean...

In this episode, Kate & Tony give an update on bargaining and the most recent industrial action and then talk to labour lawyer and NTEU Industrial Officer Jacob Debets who explains the verdict we recently received in the Fair Work Commission case (spoiler: we won!) and where we go from here.  If you have questions about the process you'd like answered, or any topics you would like to hear...

In this (slightly delayed) episode (sorry!), Kate & Tony talk about work. Stop works & members meetings, insecure work via the roll-out of the Ph. D. fixed-term program, and the Fair Work Commission hearing Monash's non-payment of student consultations.  If you have questions about the process you'd like answered, or any topics you would like to hear covered on the podcast, drop us an...

This episode, Kate & Tony pick Branch President Ben Eltham's brain on all the hot topics: the progress in bargaining (or lack thereof), what the strike looked like from up on the podium and where to next for industrial action at Monash. When the talking stalls, that's when we take to the street!   If you have questions about the process you'd like answered, or any topics you would like to...

In this episode Adam takes over the podast to talk to folks at the Statewide strike on May 3. It was a great day with a massive turnout at Trades Hall that showed just how fed up workers in tertiary education are with the way they are being treated.  It was amazing to see so many people out there on the day, and presented a great opportunitiy to hear from directly from members what changes th...

In this episode, Kate & Tony run through a range of ways students can show solidarity with members as we engage in industrial action and fight for a fair agreement. Students understand that our working conditions are their learning conditions, and it has been great seeing the positive responses and offers of assistance from so many of our student comrades. This episode can serve both as a list...

In this episode, Kate & Tony talk about a couple of emails that everyone would have gotten from our Vice Chancellor in the last couple of weeks. The first announcing a "deficit" and the second outlining the University's proposed pay rises for staff. We discuss how the emails were strategically timed to try and undermine the Unions move toward industrial action, and with industrial action now a...

In this episode, Kate & Tony run through the vision that the Union is putting forward in bargaining and the response (or lack thereof) from the university representatives to that. It's a timely reminder that we can't passively wait for change to happen and that we need to fight for it. And as importantly - if we do, change can be won!  With the Protected Action Ballot having closed, and a...

In this episode, Kate & Tony answer a couple of questions we've gotten in the podcast inbox (myunionwroteaneba@gmail.com if you want to reach out!) and then talk about the protected action ballot. It will be hitting your inbox on the morning of the 14th. Please vote as early as you can, and vote yes for all 9 actions. Voting for them doesn't mean you have to do them, but it does give others th...

In this episode, Kate & Tony talk to Amelia Sully and Sofie Onorato (former and current Monash Branch Organisers respectively) about industrial action at Monash. We discuss what the PABO process looks like, the actions that we endorsed at the all-members meeting earlier in the month, and what actions we've taken at Monash in the past to #changeit If you have questions about the process you'd l...

In this episode Kate & Tony talk to Campbell Smith of the NTEU's National Industrial Legal Team about all things industrial action.  Last year members endorsed a motion to move towards industrial action if the University didn't put forward a satisfactory pay offer by the end of January and shamefully they have failed to do that. So with our first all-members meeting for the year scheduled...

In our first episode for 2023, Kate & Tony welcome Casuals Rep Scott and Branch Prez Ben back to the pod. We chat about how we all feel bargaining went in 2022, and what we are hoping to achieve in 2023.  Please take a minute to check your details are correct at www.nteu.au and to register for the All-Members meeting on Tuesday, Feb 7 here - https://nteu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYof-2hq...

In our last episode for the year, Kate & Tony speak to Branch Vice President (General Staff) and bargaining team member Michelle Giovas and National Councillor Adam Fernandes.  Both are professional staff at Monash, and together we discuss the issues that are most important to professional staff, and what the union is arguing for in bargaining to address them.  If you have questions...

In this bonus episode, Kate & Tony talk to Gavin from Western Sydney University about their recent round of bargaining, Western Sydney's conversion, and job security clause, and what lessons we at Monash can take from Western Sydney to help in our own bargaining.  If you haven't already, you can find the link to register for Wednesday's mass meeting here - https://linktr.ee/myunionwrotean...