The University of New England Enterprise Agreement: An Overview

The University of New England (UNE) is one of Australia`s leading higher education institutions, serving students from across the country and around the world. As an employer, UNE is also highly regarded, offering its staff a range of benefits and protections through its enterprise agreement.

So, what is an enterprise agreement? Simply put, it is a legally binding agreement between an employer and its employees that sets out the terms and conditions of their employment. It covers issues like wages, working hours, leave entitlements, and workplace rights and responsibilities.

The most recent UNE Enterprise Agreement was approved in 2020 and covers the period from 2019 to 2023. It is the result of extensive negotiations between UNE management and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), which represents the University`s academic and professional staff.

Here are some key features of the UNE Enterprise Agreement:

Wages and Salaries: The Agreement provides for annual salary increases of 2% per year for the life of the agreement. This is in line with the current rate of inflation and ensures that UNE staff are not falling behind in terms of their purchasing power.

Working Hours: The Agreement sets out the standard working week for UNE staff as 35 hours, with flexibility for individual arrangements. It also provides for reasonable overtime, penalty rates, and allowances.

Leave Entitlements: UNE staff are entitled to a range of leave types, including annual leave, personal leave, parental leave, and long service leave. The Agreement also provides for flexible working arrangements to help staff balance their work and personal responsibilities.

Workplace Rights and Protections: The Agreement includes a range of workplace rights and protections, including provisions for consultation, dispute resolution, and redundancy entitlements. It also sets out UNE`s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for its staff.

Overall, the UNE Enterprise Agreement is a comprehensive document that provides a fair and equitable framework for the employment of UNE staff. It reflects the University`s commitment to supporting its employees and ensuring that they are able to deliver the highest quality education and research outcomes.