Mark Starkey

What’s your name and your official role in the NTEU?

Mark Starkey, School Manager in the Faculty of Science.  Member of the Branch Committee and Enterprise Bargaining Committee.

How did you get that role – is it a paid role? Is it elected, or did you apply for it as a job?

I was elected to Branch Committee and volunteered for the EB Committee, given I’ve been a member of the unions’ negotiating team for 7 of the past 8 bargains at UQ and know the drill. These are all elected, voluntary roles.

What does it involve, day-to-day?

Being an activist in the union is great thing.  Besides helping to protect and enhance wages and conditions through bargaining, you get to represent members on important decision-making bodies.  You also learn and develop skills that have applicability to your career, and you get to enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being with like-minded people who are in it for the greater good.

How and why did you get involved in the NTEU?

I was a member of another union for more than 40 years at UQ, but in time only the NTEU demonstrated to me that it could properly represent its members.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever had to deal with through the NTEU?

The worst thing I’ve had to deal with as a unionist is probably witnessing staff members not realising that if they joined the union we’d all be better off, because there is strength in numbers and what we gain or retain in terms of wages and conditions is directly related to our strength.

If you could change one thing at UQ/Higher Ed sector, what would it be?

A greater realisation by the general public of the value of our universities in terms of the education and life skills they give to people and the inspiring research they facilitate.

What are you most proud of that our Union has achieved?

Wow, the list is long, but imagine how much longer it would be if more people joined!