Hi everyone. My name is Emily, I am a third year arts student and a library assistant in the Baillieu library.

I’m writing to you today as a student and a staff member of the University of Melbourne. When I first started as a student here over three years ago, I remember an NTEU member coming up to me at my commencement ceremony to tell me about the wage theft that was happening at the University. On my very first day as a student, I was shocked to find out that tutors were not getting paid to attend lectures.

Years later, that experience still sticks with me as I prepare to go on strike myself as a casual staff member. I am striking because I have seen my tutors look tired, overworked, and stressed during class. I am striking because, as a casual worker, I am forced to choose between staying home when sick, or losing a day’s wages. I am striking because the people who keep this university running are also the most exploited.

I know that industrial action will cause inconveniences for some students. But what could possibly be more disruptive to our student welfare than overworked staff, budget cuts to libraries, and tutors who need to worry about their capacity to pay rent every couple of months? For a long time, our tuition has been going to university executives that take home exorbitant pay packets, and new buildings, and not the people who teach us, shelve our books, and make our timetables. Going on strike tells the management at the University that enough is enough.

When students and staff stand together, we can change how things are run at the University. We can win secure employment, workload protection and a fair pay rise, and paid sick leave for casual workers. It means that students are getting a higher quality education, where tutors can teach their students without having to stress about future employment or wage theft. It is one step towards a higher education sector that works for the public good. 

If you want to know more about the industrial campaign to win a better University, visit the NTEU’s Unimelb Bargaining Website.  

In solidarity, 

Emily Kaji

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