Strike Action ‘Unnecessary’

August 25, 2011

Strike Action ‘Unnecessary’

CPIT is disappointed that some Tertiary Education Union affiliated staff have chosen to take strike action again today when negotiations are continuing.

The institute will continue to work toward a fair agreement and is still waiting for TEU’s response to a ‘without prejudice offer’ that CPIT made on Monday this week. CPIT is also waiting for TEU to confirm two meetings the institute has proposed for next week.

CPIT received notice of strike action at 10.35am, five minutes after the strike commenced. However, disruption at the Madras St campus appears to be minimal. The number of staff involved at the Sullivan Ave campus is still being confirmed.

Director of Human Resources Patsy Gibson said both sides have made compromises. A major issue remains the number of hours staff are required to work. CPIT is seeking a 40 hour-work week and the option of buying back, with compensation, two weeks of leave. The current TEU collective agreement, which has not changed significantly since 1993, is 34 – 36 duty hours per week with 41 weeks of work per year including 10 days of professional development.

CPIT is also proposing a 6% pay rise over two years.

“We’re at the hard end of bargaining now. We have listened to TEU and tried to accommodate as far as possible their views, however CPIT is committed to achieving a collective employment agreement that reflects our needs to be responsive to our stakeholders and students, and is also fair to all staff,” Ms Gibson said.

In response to TEU claims that CPIT is not engaging in a timely matter, Ms Gibson said, “We have met six times with TEU since 30 June and have met all of TEU’s requests for meetings, apart from having to delay one meeting following the disruption caused by the recent snow. So we are surprised that seemingly unnecessary strike action has been taken today.”

TEU, with a membership of 225, is one of four unions currently active at CPIT and all other employment agreements have been settled without industrial action.

ENDS