Western Sydney University Merry Christmas from the CPSU – December 2016 (PDF version)
The CPSU wishes a Merry Christmas to all members at Western Sydney University. We understand that 2016 has been a challenging year for members. Yet it is with the spirit of unity, community and hope that we say goodbye to 2016 and look forward to a brighter 2017.
The university has decided that it is closing down from the 22nd of December to the 3rd of December. It will be reopening on the 4th of January. All dates except the 22nd and 23rd of December and 3rd of January are considered public holidays and concessional leave days. Under Clause 33.13 of your Enterprise Agreement, the University has the right to direct staff to take leave on those three days.
However, you are able to choose which type of leave you wish to take, whether it is flex time, annual leave, special leave or another form of appropriate leave.
The CPSU fought hard for your rights in 2016. As a collective, we dealt with a significant number of restructures, stopped the university from putting broadbanding into official policy and received our 3.25 percent pay rise in April 2016. In recent times, we have been dealing with the impact that the EVRS will have on members and continuing to grow the union.
Most importantly, we have been preparing for the first phase of Enterprise Bargaining through conducting listenings on every campus. Your thoughts, concerns and ideas will determine our Log of Claims and become what we fight for as a collective throughout this campaign.
Next year will be a momentous year for the CPSU and for all staff at Western Sydney University. In January, we will receive the 3.75 percent pay rise which was won in 2014. We will also be looking for feedback and then endorsement of the CPSU Log of Claims. In February, Enterprise Bargaining will commence. Throughout this period, the ramifications of the EVRS and Project Essex will be felt.
The challenges we face are great. However, the CPSU will have a greater presence and be a powerful force at Western Sydney University. We are providing members with more training opportunities and bringing in a team structure at the CPSU that will give you the industrial and campaigning support which you deserve. We intend for this new structure to provide the bedrock from which to expand and empower the union in your workplace.
But the core of our power as a union will always be you. Through supporting each other and standing together, you can make a real difference to your university and to the people around you. We look forward to working, fighting and winning with you in 2017.
