Conflict Erupts as Teachers Stood Down at the UNSW

Students from the University of NSW joined their lecturers on Tuesday in a rally protesting the University’s recent decision to step down 70 of its teachers.

The management of the University has claimed that the teachers forced their hand, after prolonged industrial action saw several hundred students semester results withheld – an action they claim was a breach of their duties.

The industrial action centres around current negotiations between the University’s management, and Teachers Union over salary packages, and working conditions. Teachers claim the University’s current offers are inequitable, and fail to provide secure employment; they are also disappointed their calls to adopt Indigenous Employment Targets appear to be ignored.

Conflict at the University is not new, the Union has already taken part in several teaching strikes over the last year in relation to the dispute, but some are claiming their methods are ineffective, and detrimental to the student body.

Matt Lindsay is a student, studying Science Engineering and Technology: “A few people I know are thinking of not applying for courses because they don’t know if they’ve passed the pre-requisites.”

However, a large portion of the student body has remained on the side of their teachers with the Universities SRC organising student protests and petitions in support of the lecturers.

“We are entirely opposed to the University Management’s decision to stand down a number of our academics,” read a group letter. “We offer our unequivocal support to the lecturers who are participating in legally protected industrial action.”

City News understands that staff members who were stood down will return to pay after they submit their exam results.

By Kieran Adair