University of Melbourne staff to strike for one week

Staff who are members of the National Tertiary Education Union go on strike from midday on Monday until midnight on Sunday next week.

The university's union members last went on strike in August, when some staff stopped work for half a day and others took a week or more off, the union said.

"Victoria is seeing unprecedented strike action in universities because staff have had enough of being denied fair pay, secure jobs and safe workloads," the union's national president Alison Barnes said.

"The University of Melbourne has engaged in $45 million worth of wage theft and hands $1.5 million a year to its vice-chancellor.

"The idea that any of the union's claims are anything but affordable and practical ways to improve the university simply doesn't stack up."

University of Melbourne acting union branch secretary Chloe MacKenzie said there were still too many areas management had failed to engage constructively on, despite some progress since staff last went on strike.

She said management ignored members' pleas to slash excessive workloads, failed to make adequate progress on limiting restructures, and refused to give staff reasonable working-from-home arrangements.

The university had also failed to budge on members' demands for cultural awareness and safety training, with the unions' concerns culminating in staff taking the drastic step of going on a week-long strike, Ms Mackenzie said.

A University of Melbourne spokesman said the institution continued to negotiate with the union in good faith and it was disappointed by the industrial action given the progress and "significant concessions" made on both sides.

"The university will continue to work collaboratively and constructively with the union to reach a new agreement which is fair, recognises the value and contribution all staff members make to our institution, and positions the university for long-term sustainability and success," he said.

"The university is focused on minimising the impact of this union activity on our students, and we apologise for any inconvenience that it may cause to them or any members of the university community."

Union members working at RMIT would also strike for a half-day on Thursday and hold a rally, before linking up with their University of Melbourne peers who were planning to march, the union said.

RMIT acknowledged workers' rights to take protected industrial action, adding its priority was to ensure continuity of teaching and student support.

"We have contingency plans in place to ensure minimal disruption," an RMIT spokeswoman said.

"We are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith to get the right outcomes for our community."

She said RMIT would keep the community updated about the bargaining process.

Australian Associated Press