BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

Members of the National Tertiary Education Union from The University of Newcastle are taking part in a public forum with the NSW Greens today.

The Greens hope to apply pressure on the state government to introduce measures to reduce workplace casualisation, with less than half of working Australians in full-time positions.

The forum comes as university staff continue to negotiate with management, calling for a reduction in the institution’s 2-out-of-3 casual jobs.

The Hunter Workers group have also attended the forum to discuss the need for greater job security in the local region.

Held in Sydney, the forum is also looking at the broader trend of casualisation taking place across the nation’s industries.

Following the University’s criticism of NTEU members for interrupting classes with strike action, Greens MP David Shoebridge says his party will keep up pressure on the government to find a solution for Hunter workers.

“The conditions on the campus have become particularly difficult for academics and for their support staff,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“I don’t think that’s good enough, and I don’t think the people of Newcastle think that’s good enough for their premier educational institution.”



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