A meeting at Western Sydney University (WSU) revealed union officials’ efforts to ensnare university workers in superficial “consultation” processes, hindering any unified resistance against the widespread job losses predicted across Australia’s public universities. The meeting, ostensibly held to discuss the university’s proposed restructure, was instead used by union representatives to promote a fragmented approach, prioritizing individual cases and local negotiations over coordinated action. Speakers from the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) focused on the importance of participating in the university’s consultation process, framing it as the primary avenue for addressing concerns.
Critics argued that these consultation processes are a deliberate tactic by university management to diffuse opposition and legitimize pre-determined decisions. They emphasized that the NTEU’s strategy isolates workers, preventing the development of a broader movement against the systemic issues driving the job cuts. The article highlights the disparity between the union’s focus on internal processes and the pressing need for collective action to defend jobs and working conditions across the Australian university sector. Instead of mobilizing members, the union promotes a passive approach, effectively collaborating with management in implementing damaging restructuring plans.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/09/25/ewjn-s25.html