TEU deputy-secretary Nanette Cormack has written to the vice-chancellors of the universities of Auckland, Otago, Waikato and Victoria withdrawing the combined unions’ claim for a multi-employer collective employment agreement at their institutions. Union members at the three universities are now organising ratification ballots to vote on individual collective agreements at their respective worksites.

The four universities have each agreed not to make any cuts to existing working conditions, unlike in many institutes of technology and polytechnics currently still in negotiations. The universities have offered pay rises which, though less than what was originally sought by members, reflect a fair settlement according to the respective bargaining teams at each university.

Ms Cormack says it is good to have reached a settlement in half of the universities before the summer holidays.

“We have been in negotiations now since July, and it has been a hard process.”  The Universities of Otago and Victoria made a positive contribution to negotiations and worked hard to reach a settlement that union members could vote for. The University of Waikato currently faces tougher financial circumstances than some of its peers, and that has limited its ability to respond with a more favourable pay offer.”

“By contrast, the University of Auckland is in the unique and unfortunate position of dealing with pay issues outside of the collective negotiations. That circumstance is going to cause it significant employment problems in the future, but thankfully not this year.”

Local bargaining teams at the other universities have also been given authority to withdraw the unions’ multi employer collective agreement claim if they get to the point in negotiations where it is appropriate.