MIT lecturers at work until 9.30pm

Media Release
29 April 2009

MIT lecturers at work until 9.30pm

Manukau Institute of Technology’s claim that it needs more flexibility to manage the teaching hours of lecturers is being rejected by TEU branch president, Lesley Francey.

Ms Francey points out that under their collective employment agreement MIT staff can already be required to work between 8am and 9.30pm (up to 2 nights per week) and that staff may also consent to work outside of these hours.

“There has always been a tremendous amount of good will from staff about flexibility.

But there is a big difference between being asked to work different hours and being told when you must work. Many staff are already involved with summer school or night classes. Flexibility is there if they want it and are willing to consult.”

Overworked TEU members at MIT began two weeks of industrial action with a strike on Tuesday and a ‘wear red’ day on Wednesday which many staff and students participated in. Further strikes are likely to follow.

“Staff are already flexible – we have to be if we’re going to reach students in South Auckland who have never previously engaged with tertiary education. We’ll go the extra mile for them, but excessive workloads are not good for our teaching or their chances to learn,” said Ms Francey.

ENDS

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