Assoc Prof Ravinder Sidhu

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

My name is Ravinder Sidhu and I am a member of the UQ Branch Committee of the NTEU.

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

You must be elected to sit on the Branch Committee. It is an unpaid position. I was encouraged to consider applying and I then sought support from union members in my School and other NTEU colleagues to get elected.

What does it involve, day-to-day?

Being on the Branch Committee means engaging in decision making on issues that affect members at UQ, broader social or policy issues that impact on universities (eg academic freedom), participating in campaigns that the NTEU is running, and working with members across the university so that they are informed and organised.

How and why did you get involved in the NTEU?

I have been member of the NTEU for around 20 plus years, extending back to my first job at UQ as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. I care deeply about public universities. The NTEU is a very important entity in ensuring that our universities remain strong, staffed with excellent people, enjoying the trust of the wider public and offering opportunities to successive generations of citizens and professionals.

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

Management taking adverse actions against a union delegate. This could mean your teaching materials scrutinised, your long service leave application being refused and stalled, and a host of other refusals which can affect morale, well being and career progression if you are not a union member.

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

Improve university governance. Start with a more representative Senate. Remove management bonuses. That is more than one change !

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

Paid parenting leave. Domestic violence Leave. Employment targets for indigenous staff.