Casual Academic, Art History

I am voting for Rank and File Action at the upcoming NTEU election because I want our union to keep fighting the forces of corporatisation, casualisation, and neoliberalism at University of Sydney. It is important that our union continues to fight back against the university’s ties to apartheid Israel and RAFA has been a driving force in this space. As a casual academic, I am thrilled to endorse Markela Panegyres as Casuals Representative. I have had the privilege to organise with Markela and believe she is the best candidate for the position. Markela will undoubtedly represent the real issues casuals face at the University as she has been a huge part of casual organising in the union.

Japanese and Asian Studies

David Brophy, Nick Riemer, Matte Rochford, and Sophie Cotton are four people I trust very much. For years they have been stalwart advocates for good working conditions and progressive tertiary policies. When enterprise bargaining rolls around every three years, they are consistently on the front lines, representing staff both at the picket lines and the negotiating table. I’m thrilled to find them all on the same ticket this election, which is why I’ll be voting RAFA down the line.

Professor Emeritus in Gender and Cultural Studies

I’m very happy indeed to endorse the RAFA ticket in the upcoming elections–happy, because this combination of a humane, practical vision for the University with active commitment to job security, fair pay, social justice and real democracy within the NTEU has come along just as the deterioration of our work conditions seems endless and morale is at the lowest ebb I can remember. This team has shown it can be effective and offers us goals worth fighting for.

University Library

As a University Library NTEU delegate, it’s great to see RAFA pulling together a strong network of capable, articulate and energetic USyd union members. The RAFA team have a proven track record standing up for – and with – their colleagues in their work units and faculties, and campaigning for job security, Indigenous and Trans justice at work, and career pathways for all staff in the EBA campaign. They’re also doing the hard yards to win increased democracy and transparency in our union – at the Branch, Division and National level. 

I urge all members to vote for RAFA at the upcoming NTEU elections. In particular, professional staff should vote for Dylan Griffiths (HDR Student Admin Services staff and candidate for General Vice President, Branch Committee and National Council) and Matte Rochford (Student Centre staff and Professional Staff candidate for Branch Committee). 

Studies in Religion

When the FASS departments of Studies in Religion and Performance Studies were threatened with closure my colleagues, Nick Riemer, Sophie Cotton, Matte Rochford, leading a hell of a lot of other NTEU members, stood up with me in defiance of these insane closures. They did all they could to fight the false economic arguments that were trying to put me and my colleagues out of our departments and our jobs. This is why I am thrilled and delighted to support them and my other dedicated colleagues running for the Rank and File Action Ticket (RAFA) in the coming Sydney Branch elections.

Unlike a majority of NTEU members at Sydney, I have had the privilege of serving on Branch Committee on and off. Through that experience I have seen close-at-hand who has been dedicated to our membership’s genuine needs, who was a little too eager to give into management bastardry, and who has a serious attitude to grassroots organising. Those years of service confirm in my mind that the hard work, considered strategies, and dedication of those on the RAFA ticket are worth supporting. Colleagues, take seriously the opportunity you have to vote in the coming Branch elections and please consider joining me in supporting the RAFA ticket. Our jobs and our workplace conditions will depend on it.

Senior lecturer in Gender and Cultural Studies

RAFA colleagues and supporters have helped this Singaporean, a cultural stranger to union organising, envision and understand what it means to be at odds with authority in ways that expand ethical possibilities. I admire RAFA colleagues for their well-informed and staunch politics and principles, as well as their commitment to building sustainable and enabling conditions of living and working beyond the university.

Law School

I am honoured to endorse RAFA in the upcoming elections. Our university needs a militant and nonsectarian Left committed to upholding and improving our conditions. In the recent strike action, RAFA unionists led from the front to demand job security, fair pay and social justice. RAFA is also committed to further democratise and expand our local branch by working with everyone to reach our common goals as university workers. So vote RAFA in the upcoming elections to return proven champions of real change.

Political Economy Department

In branch work over the last few years it has become clear to me that USyd management is absolutely cynical in dealing with the union and staff. Managers speak in glib spin, while presenting a brick wall in negotiations over anything that matters. They take advantage of naive goodwill while wearing down opposition. In my view RAFA has the right strategy for this hostile industrial environment. It is not enough to preach to the converted hardcore – winning requires us to broaden our reach. RAFA has the sharp analysis, organising skills and incredible amount of energy it takes to do this work. They reflect and speak to the diversity of our colleagues, among whom secure academics with 40-40-20 loads are a diminishing proportion. I have found RAFA the most reliable allies in these difficult times.