University of Newcastle staff take step towards striking over pay and conditions

Slice: Dan Conway, at front on left, said the NTEU invited staff and students "to come and have their slice of the surplus". Picture: Simone De Peak

UNIVERSITY of Newcastle staff have voted to move towards industrial action, plus been offered a slice of cake depicting the organisation's $185 million surplus.

National Tertiary Education Union Newcastle branch president Dan Conway said members voted on Wednesday with an overwhelming majority - one person didn't vote - to apply to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot Order, the first official step to protected industrial action.