Independent Peter Chen edged out Rank-and-File Action (RAFA) candidate David Brophy by six votes (296 to 290) for president of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) University of Sydney Branch, it was revealed on September 10.
Chen, a senior lecturer in the School of Government and International Relations, teaches media politics, public policy and Australian politics.
The election was contested by three major tickets: RAFA, Renewal, and Fightback, with the incoming 14-member branch committee consisting of six RAFA and Renewal members, one Fightback member and one independent.
Fiona Gill (Renewal) was elected branch secretary over Riki Scanlan (RAFA).
Gill gained a total of 318 votes to Scanlan’s 264. Gill had resigned from the secretary position last October after the Branch Committee voted to stand for Palestine.
Former President Nick Riemer (RAFA) defeated Maryanne Large (Renewal) and Catherine Sutton-Brady (Fightback) to win vice-president (Academic).
Riemer received 163 first person votes to Large’s 150 and Sutton-Brady’s 50, and was elected with 173 final votes.
Jennifer Dowling (Renewal) was elected as branch vice-president (General Staff) over Jason Todd (RAFA) and Jennifer Huch-Hoogvliet (Fightback).
In the final vote, Dowling won 112 votes to Todd’s 82, while Huch-Hoogvliet received 53 votes in first preferences.
Alma Torlakovic (Fightback) was elected National Council Representative (General Staff) over Jennifer Huch-Hoogvliet (Fightback) and Matte Rochford (RAFA).
Markela Panegyres (RAFA) was elected USyd Branch Committee Ordinary Member (Casual Employees) over Lucy Nicolls (Fightback).
In descending order of votes, Jennifer Dowling (Renewal), Matte Rochford (RAFA), Marcus Strom (Renewal), Sophie Cotton (RAFA), Alma Torlakovic (Fightback) and Dylan Griffiths (RAFA) were elected to the National Council as USyd representatives.
Dowling received the highest number of first preference votes (180 out of a possible 590). The National Council has two-year terms.
The following members were elected to the role of Branch Committee Ordinary Member (in descending order of votes): John Buchanan (Renewal); Nikki Wedgwood (RAFA); Alan Fekete (Renewal); Alex Luke (RAFA); Beccy Connell (Renewal); Alma Torlakovic (Fightback); Rae Cooper (Renewal); Sophie Cotton (RAFA); and Matte Rochford (RAFA).
The position of Indigenous Branch Committee Member is expected to be filled later this year.
Chen expressed to Honi Soit his thanks “to all the outgoing members of the Branch Committee who have worked extremely hard during the last few years, particularly during Enterprise Bargaining”.
He also “specially recognise[d] the work of [outgoing President] Nick Riemer, who took on the role of Branch President during a particularly difficult time”.
Chen said that, under his presidency, the NTEU will continue to “advocate vigorously to protect employment and the quality of research and education at the national level”, while also actively “engaging with management to ensure that the considerable ‘war chest’ of the University is employed to ensure that jobs are not lost, and continuity of education provision is maintained”.
Chen also said he aimed to “work productively” with the new Branch Committee, student organisations and external university stakeholders on worker issues, as well as “instigating regular meetings with the Vice-Chancellor”.
He reaffirmed that “building union power on campus” is important, as is ensuring all staff are union members.
RAFA expressed it’s disappointment with the election results, noting that “after a period of left dominance, the recent University of Sydney NTEU elections have seen a swing back to the right”.
It acknowledged its loss of a “majority of executive positions”, but said that it will “retain a strong presence on the incoming branch committee”, as well as it three delegates to the NTEU National Council.
It also reiterated its support for members who were striking and picketing during the 2022–23 strike campaign and are involved in Palestine solidarity work.
Despite an uptick in members’ participation in the elections, for casuals it was the opposite. RAFA said “many casuals feel let down by the NTEU Division and National Office”.
RAFA said it “will seek every opportunity to collaborate with the rest of the newly elected B[ranch] C[ommittee] in fostering collective action across political differences”.
Just 28% of NTEU’s 2124 members cast votes.
[This article was first published by Honi Soit and is reprinted with permission.]