Staff advocate for workload control and increased pay
MELBOURNE — University of Melbourne staff have initiated a push for a four-day working week and increased protections from artificial intelligence impacts, according to the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). On Thursday, the union lodged its claims with the university, seeking a 20 per cent pay rise and enforceable workload protections.
The NTEU’s claims include the implementation of Academic Workload Committees to oversee staff workloads, ensuring that decisions are not unilaterally made by management. The union argues that this change would prevent burnout and enhance teaching quality, as stated by NTEU University of Melbourne Branch President David Gonzalez.
Union’s Proposed Changes
The union is also demanding that professional staff transition to a four-day workweek without a reduction in salary. In addition, there is a call for protective measures against the adverse effects of artificial intelligence, a growing concern in educational institutions. Gonzalez emphasised the need for serious guardrails against AI, reflecting the rapid development of this technology in workplaces.
According to Gonzalez, “The evidence on four-day weeks is remarkably consistent – productivity holds, absenteeism drops and staff retention improves.” He noted that staff input in workload decisions is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain world-class education standards.
This initiative comes in response to ongoing cost-of-living pressures, with the union advocating for pay increases that surpass inflation rates. The University of Melbourne has yet to respond to these claims, but the union urges management to engage constructively in negotiations.
The union believes that embracing a four-day workweek can serve as a model for other universities across the country, potentially leading to widespread positive changes in the academic sector. They argue that such reforms are not only beneficial for staff well-being but also for the overall quality of education provided to students. As discussions continue, the union remains hopeful that their demands will lead to meaningful improvements in the working conditions of academic and professional staff at the University of Melbourne.
Source: newshub.medianet.com.au
Last updated: 1 April 2026, 10:32 am
