Two Macquarie Academics Claim Redundancies Were Unlawful Union Retaliation
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) is funding legal action against Macquarie University, alleging that two academics were forcibly made redundant due to their union activities.
The Case in Brief
- Jo Faulkner, NTEU vice-president at Macquarie, was one of nine academics selected for forced redundancy. A Redundancy Review Committee (RRC) ruled 2-to-1 in her favor, finding the initial panel may not have been objective, partly due to her union advocacy. A senior manager later upheld the redundancy.
- Jumana Bayeh, an expert in Middle East Studies, was also made redundant. A unanimous RRC decision found the university did not act "fairly and properly" in her selection, yet the university upheld the redundancy.
- The RRC advises under the enterprise agreement; the university says it is not bound by its findings.
"The Redundancy Review Committee found two-to-one in her favor, concluding the redundancy panel may not have made an objective decision partly due to her union advocacy."
University Denial
Macquarie University denied the accusations "in the strongest possible terms," stating that targeting union members would be unlawful. It said the 2025 staffing changes in the Faculty of Arts and Engineering followed a "rigorous process," resulting in 61 redundancies, most voluntary. Selection decisions were based on objective criteria.
The university also pointed to an incident where Executive Dean Chris Dixon removed NTEU posters during an open day, claiming they were placed without authorization—not removed due to their union content.
Legal Action
The NTEU argues both women were targeted due to union membership. The Fair Work Commission has not yet tested the women's claims.
"The university states it is not bound by the findings of the Redundancy Review Committee."