Staff who were successful in the recent promotions round were shocked to find out that guarantees given by former HR head Jim Gibson were being ignored. A letter from Jim to those applying for promotion clearly stated that the implementation date for the new contracts would be August 1st 2011. However, this was not the message to successful staff from Principal Pamela Gillies, whose congratulatory letter stated that promotion would be implemented from January 1st 2012. Protests from the joint unions at GCU, pointing out this inconsistency led to a reversal of this approach, and to the re-instatement of the terms stated within the agreed policy, leading to five months back pay for those concerned.

Yet another example of what the unions can do for you, and why you should be in a union if you’re not in one already!