Melbourne University Workers Are Gearing Up for a Second Weeklong Strike
The University of Melbourne is a flashpoint in the wave of industrial action against job insecurity, wage theft, overwork, and profit-seeking in the academy. Now staff are preparing an all-university strike — and the outcome may be decisive for the sector.
Members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) at the University of Melbourne are preparing for yet another weeklong strike. Pictured: Queen’s College at the university. (Wikimedia Commons)
In August, when staff at the University of Melbourne struck for a week, it was one of the longest industrial actions on that campus since 1856, when stonemasons working on the Old Arts building downed tools to demand an eight-hour day.
Now, after a little over a month, members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) at the university are preparing for another weeklong strike. Set to begin on Monday, October 2, this new round of industrial action marks an escalation in the union’s campaign. While the first strike saw union members from only seven areas stop work, the second one will cover the entire university.
At the same time, the university has faced intense public scrutiny from the Fair Work Ombudsman over wage theft. Although the university has already paid back over $45 million in stolen wages, the investigation is ongoing.
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