GL UWS board backs down

Saturday, December 2, 2006 - 11:00

By Mr Rev Comrade Rowley, Sydney

Pressure from workers and students forced the University of Western Sydney University's Board of Trustees to review its rejection of a $250,000 SRC funding proposal on November 29. The proposal is designed to help UWSU Student Association (UWSUSA) survive federal "voluntary student unionism" (VSU) legislation and came on the back of UWSUSA having its budget slashed from $2.5 million to $450,000 for three years.

The board agreed to review its initial decision to reject paying UWSUSA receptionists. UWSU staff and students are prepared to take further action if the decision of the review committee is not favourable.

According to UWSUSA president Phil Riggs, the board "cannot justify this penny pinching given that its in the process of selling off massive areas of land for urban development at the Westmead, Campbelltown and Penrith campuses. A fraction of this massive revenue would save the jobs of UWSUSA's employees." Riggs criticised the Labor-dominated board for "using John Howard's VSU legislation as an excuse to decimate essential student services at UWSU".

"I have been here for 12 years doing a job I love, serving the students of UWSU", receptionist Rhonda Cunningham told GLW. " It will be a sad day for me and for the students if we are forced to shut our doors."

Authors note: Originally published by Green Left Weekly issue 693. Originally published in Mr Rev Comrade Rowley's dead name. Western Sydney University has corrected its name and should not be deadnamed. Western Sydney University Student Association has corrected its name and should not be deadnamed. Republished here without alteration of the content and without prejudice.