<
https://theconversation.com/australian-unis-could-not-function-without-casual-staff-it-is-time-to-treat-them-as-real-employees-203053>
"University working life may conjure up images of professors with book-lined
offices, built up over a decades-long career in the one institution. But the
reality is precarity has become the norm in Australian higher education
teaching and research.
According to the Universities Accord discussion paper stakeholders have already
raised concerns about insecure work and underpayment in the higher education
sector, particularly for casual or sessional staff.
The discussion paper also notes 50 to 80% of undergraduate teaching in
Australia is now done by casual or sessional staff (who are hired for a
semester). However, the true figure is likely to be higher as universities
report on “full-time equivalent” staff rather than the actual number of people
employed on contracts.
The Universities Accord represents the best opportunity in a generation to fix
the dire employment practices in higher education.
If it is going to do this, it needs to recognise the significant contribution
of those in precarious employment to both teaching and research in Australian
universities. We must stop treating casuals as though they are an afterthought,
rather than a vital part of higher education."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
