TEU members at CPIT have been on strike this week after the polytechnic refused to change its position from the one it presented last week. Yesterday afternoon TEU members held a noisy picket on Madras Street and they are still on strike and picketing today. However, CPIT  has agreed to TEU’s request go to mediation on Friday. As a gesture of goodwill to demonstrate that members are committed to finding a settlement, and to reduce the disruption for students, TEU members have agreed they will suspend industrial action on Friday whilst mediation takes place.

“Academics and tutors at CPIT just want to retain their existing terms and conditions,” said TEU organiser Phil Dodds. “They are not asking for anything new or special that tutors around the rest of the country don’t get. They just want to keep their leave and working hours entitlements that are common in polytechnics around the country.”

TEU members have also offered a number of alternatives to CPIT so as to meet the employer’s requirements for productivity gains.

“Many staff here left their respective industries and took pay cuts to come to this job because they wanted to teach, but also because they were willing to trade income for a better work-life balance so that employees can have a choice about their ‘total remuneration’ package,’ said Mr Dodds. Not sure if this makes sense

“TEU members are frustrated and feel that CPIT is not listening to their concerns or acknowledging the compromises the union is willing to make,” said Mr Dodds.