Union members at the Australian National University have launched a campaign against proposed changes to their working hours that could see them work into the evening without penalty rates.
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The National Tertiary Education Union and the ANU are negotiating a new enterprise agreement for university employees including librarians, some research staff, maintenance and IT workers.
The conversation has broken down around a proposal to roster librarians on from 8am to 10pm, instead of until 6pm, and IT staff from 7am to 7pm, instead of from 8am to 6pm.
NTEU ACT secretary Rachael Bahl said changing the hours staff may be required to work effectively removed penalty rates and entitlements. The proposal is understood to affect about 300 ANU employees.
"Many of our members have family or carer responsibilities," she said.
"How is that supposed to work if they're rostered on until 10pm?"
An ANU spokesman said negotiations were progressing well with the NTEU and other unions.
"ANU is negotiating a new enterprise agreement with all staff in good faith," he said.
"The university is seeking improved flexibility in libraries, IT service and helpdesks, and other areas of the university to ensure improved and expanded services to both students and staff."
