6 October 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
FURTHER PROTEST ACTION LIKELY AT NMIT
The protest action taken by allied staff at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) last month, is likely to
escalate as a result of the failure of the parties to reach a settlement in mediation.
The staff who are members of the Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association (TIASA) have voted overwhelming to reject
an offer by NMIT, that would have union members receiving 0.2% less than non-union staff.
“Our members view NMIT’s approach to these negotiations as provocative, and an attack on their union membership” said
TIASA Chief Executive, Peter Joseph.
“Their apparent determination to have non-union members in receipt of higher salaries, than TIASA members, for the same
work, along with more than 80 claims at the commencement of negotiations, can only result in strife” he said.
“It is extremely disappointing that NMIT do not appear to want to reach a reasonable and fair settlement for their
staff,” said Joseph. “We have been genuine in our attempts to bring about a settlement and had arranged urgent mediated
discussions in an attempt to resolve matters before the Chief Executive, Tony Grey, departed on a month’s leave,” he
said.
It is unclear at this time as to whether any further discussions can be held during the NMIT Chief Executive’s absence
overseas.
‘We have indicated our preparedness to meet, but have not received any response from NMIT Management,” said Joseph.
ENDS