Dear VE Teachers,

We deserve a better deal. Ballot Open. Vote NO.

One of your colleagues says:

Morning all, I have just voted

I just wanted to send you all a message about the importance of defending workers rights and conditions. 

 I was trying to explain to my English family about Labour day on Monday 11th. It struck me the idea of how hard those workers fought for the 8 hour day and how important the statue on the corner of Russell and Victoria is. It is part of RMIT and Melbourne and the way our society understands workers are people not numbers on a spread sheet. Interestingly the stonemasons walked off the job at Melbourne University and walked from Carlton to Richmond. With other stonemasons they collectively forced the employers to agree to a 8 hour day.  ref: https://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/fight-rights/workers-rights/winning-8-hour-day 

 RMIT is current trying to extend our working hours from 7am to 7am - a 12 hours work-span without any explanation or context.  Workers fought hard for reasonable working conditions and if we let this current agreement get up we will be going backwards. It is not all about the money in VE, which Mish has been trying to show how good we have it at RMIT. 

 Some of us are in a lucky place having secure work and tenure so are in a strong positions when managers ask us to work odd hours.  Many sessional and contract staff fear losing their jobs so can not say no. The EA is all the staff have to defend their rights. 

 I can not do much here in the UK other than urge you all through your contacts and colleagues to ensure this current VE offer is voted down.

 Voting no will not cost you anything, Yes will.

 If you do not know vote No. The agreement is complicated and there are a lot of clauses RMIT has changed they have not told you about {except in those confusing information sessions}. Both the AEU and NTEU think the offer is substandard and takes workers rights backwards.

Have you voted?

Want to learn more?

• Visit our website or email the branch at rmit@PROTECTED
• Join us in the meeting today Join a drop in session on Tuesday 12 March.
  • 11am-11.30am
  • 12.00pm-12.30pm
  • 1.00pm-1.30pm
  • 2.00pm-2.30pm
  • 3.00am-3.30pm

We can get a better deal, like we the ones we’ve bargained for and won across the sector. Ballot open from toady. Vote no and ask your colleagues to vote no too.