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The University of Western Australia and the National Tertiary Education Union have reached an in-principle agreement on the proposed 2017 enterprise agreements, with both parties committed to delivering new agreements for staff at UWA that are fair and reasonable.

An integral benefit is the new innovative salary package which includes two increases to base rates of pay - $1100 in January 2018 and $1100 in January 2020.  In addition to these increases, UWA employees will also receive a 4.6 per cent salary increase across the life of the agreements (1.25 per cent in 2019, 0.75 per cent in 2020, and 2.6 per cent in 2021).  This will allow the University to provide a more equitable distribution of its salary package to all employees covered by the agreements. For employees in lower level classifications it will mean an increase of up to 9.5 per cent while those employed in the highest classifications will receive a 5.9 per cent increase.

This package is in addition to a commitment that by 2021 all fixed term (as distinct from casual) employees will receive 17 per cent superannuation.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said the agreements take into consideration the need for change at the University, while at the same time recognising the contribution of University employees.

“Our University has to modernise its processes and procedures, and staff members are driving that change,” Professor Freshwater said.

“These agreements provide fair and equitable outcomes that reward employees for their valuable contribution to our future.”

NTEU WA Division Secretary Gabe Gooding said the agreements were an indication of what can be achieved when all parties approach bargaining constructively.

“The result is the achievement of agreements that meet the University’s needs, while at the same time delivering improvements for employees and retaining key rights and entitlements,” Ms Gooding said.

Both parties are now completing the process of final drafting and working through internal approval processes.

As soon as those processes are complete, University employees will be invited to a series of information sessions to help them to make an informed decision when voting on the agreements.

Voting is intended to commence on Wednesday 2 August.

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Media Manager) (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716
Andrew MacDonald (NTEU Media and Communications) (+61 3) 9254 1910 (+61 4) 21 825 896