Management at the University of Wollongong is trying to circumvent the biggest staff union by putting a proposed enterprise agreement to a vote without its approval. The move has the potential to undermine the capacity of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) to bargain on behalf of its members.

Negotiations about a new agreement covering professional staff had been going  for almost a year when the university emailed workers on 13 January to advise that the agreement was ready to be voted on. The email was sent despite management knowing that the NTEU opposes the agreement, which short-sells pay and conditions.

The union has a fight on its hands to counter vice chancellor Paul Wellings’ union busting. Wellings has a history. He cut his teeth as Lancaster University vice chancellor. There, he was a regular target for protest because of his vocal support for fee increases and cuts to student services. He is also well known for calling in police to arrest students protesting arms dealers on campus.

Since taking the position at Wollongong in 2012, Wellings has cut jobs and services. He openly supports the federal government’s proposed deregulation of the tertiary education sector.

The NTEU is seeking an urgent order from the Fair Work Commission to halt the vote. This is not enough. An active campaign across the union’s membership will give workers the best chance to put Wellings back in his place.