The vocational education staff at RMIT have commenced a two-week strike, aiming to receive a fair pay rise and better working conditions. This strike marks the longest industrial action conducted in RMIT’s history.
This strike takes place in the context of lengthy bargaining discussions, with the previous enterprise agreement expiring over 900 days ago. NTEU branch members have voted against management’s newest offer, maintaining that it has failed to deliver meaningful changes to working conditions, and an improved deal.
NTEU Victorian Division Secretary Sarah Roberts noted that “RMIT’s vocational education teachers have been forced into an unprecedented two-week strike by management’s refusal to get serious on a fair pay rise.”
“A lot of vocational education teachers at RMIT are juggling multiple jobs just to put food on the table, while the vice-chancellor pockets upwards of $1 million a year.” she said.
Roberts told Honi “teachers in vocational education at RMIT haven’t had an agreement for more than 900 days, and are some of the lowest paid members of our union.
Roberts emphasised the importance of the vocational education sector for the community saying that it is “absolutely essential because it’s a common entry point to tertiary study for lower socioeconomic groups and marginalised learners.”
In a statement, Roberts also situated the strike within the context of a cost of living crisis, compounding the need for efficient bargaining and fair pay: “A two-week strike speaks volumes about the determination of NTEU members to stand up for a fair pay rise that helps them meet the soaring cost of living.”
A RMIT Spokesperson told Honi “Our priority is ensuring continuity of teaching and support to our students, and we have contingency plans in place to help minimise any disruption.”
“RMIT acknowledges NTEU members’ right to take protected industrial action and we are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith to get the right outcomes for our community,” they said.
Roberts told Honi that “on Monday when we’re in the Fair Work Commission, we’re looking for significant progress in bargaining or the strike will just have to continue. Not cool RMIT. Members just want what other dual sectors are offering; decent pay, fair workloads and some job security.”
