University response to strike

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has expressed disappointment that the TEU and PSA have chosen to strike at an important time for student learning, and as students prepare for their final assessments.

The University is also disappointed that strike action is being taken before the full offer was tabled or had been the subject of any meaningful discussion.

The national strike at all eight universities in Aotearoa New Zealand includes a four-hour work stoppage on Thursday 6 October from 1pm to 5pm at the University of Auckland. Staff are not entitled to be paid for the time they spend on strike.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater, said that the University had recently tabled a generous offer of 9 percent over two years, on top of other performance bonuses and service-related increases, as part of its good faith negotiations, which are still at an early stage.

“This offer has been carefully costed and while it is a stretch, it is sustainable,” she said.

“Without a significant increase in funding from central Government, the University isn’t in a position to meet union demands for more. The University must remain prudent with its budget and aims to balance requests for pay increases with the cost of providing excellence in teaching and research, as befitting a world-class University.

Supporting student success remains the University’s priority during the strike action and the University will continue with business-as-usual to minimise the impact on students.

“The vast majority of the University’s staff are not union members, so we are expecting minimal disruption,” said Professor Freshwater.

If any lectures or tutorials are disrupted by the strike, the University will do its best to inform affected students in advance.