Matthew Campbell
What’s your name and your official role in the NTEU?
Matthew Campbell, Branch Vice-President (General Staff) and National Councillor
How did you get that role – is it a paid role? Is it elected, or did you apply for it as a job?
Elected roles. Not paid.
What does it involve, day-to-day?
The role of Vice-President is to advocate and present the case for better recognition and support for general staff across the university. To achieve this I am involved in a number of committees, support staff where required, for example in meetings with their managers, and assist in NTEU organising across the university.
How and why did you get involved in the NTEU?
I have been involved with the NTEU across my history in higher education. Whilst I have personally been fortunate to have had good relations with my supervisors and access to opportunities throughout my career, the same is not the case for all staff. Only through working collectively can we ensure that all workers are respected and have access to safe and secure work.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever had to deal with through the NTEU?
I have been somewhat fortunate to not have to have dealt with anything catastrophic. However, a lot of the issues that we respond to relate to incompetence of management or egregious misrepresentation or actions which see valuable staff at risk of losing their jobs.
If you could change one thing at UQ/Higher Ed sector, what would it be?
The accountability of senior leadership for the decisions they make which impact staff. Too often senior leaders enact decisions and policies (e.g restructures, movement to trimesters) without due consideration for the adverse impacts they have on the wellbeing and participation of staff across the university. More so, even when these are demonstrated to be objectively poor decisions senior leaders are often promoted or move to another university therefore avoiding accountability.
What are you most proud of that our Union has achieved?
The current challenge to the ongoing casualisation of our sector has been a huge achievement by our union as it has involved the turning around of deep seated beliefs by management of the value of casualisation, alongside working with other unions to see legislative change which has continued to drive a movement towards more secure forms of work.