Letter to UWS Trustees re Parking Fee Imposition

Here is the text of the letter presented to the UWS Board of Trustees today over the issue of making staff and students pay parking fees.

Dear Board Member

RE: PARKING

This is a poor decision for the following fundamental reasons:

Failure To Observe Policy

The previous policy required that the Vice-Chancellor approve any fees increase and that the fee schedule be circulated in the October of the year prior to introduction. The University now defends its action by saying that the Vice-Chancellor's approval is no longer necessary and the schedule need only be published after the introduction of a new policy. In effect it is claiming that it cannot be said to be breaching the policy because it has changed the policy. Moreover it changed this policy without any consultation whatsoever.

Breach Of Contract

The university community entered into agreements in individual contracts to provide free parking until 2007 to yellow permit holders. These contracts were based on the then policy, which has been unilaterally changed. The University has breached this contract individually and with the University community.

Deficiencies in the Decision Making Process

There is no evidence in this decision that the University has addressed the following matters:

The Availability of Parking

The CPSU's members have asked what employees are being given in return for increased parking fees. Nothing has been said or done to date to indicate that staff will be guaranteed a car parking space, the standard of the parking, or what will happen if a spot for which the designated fee has been paid is not available. The devil is in the detail.

Anomalies in the policy

To concerned staff this new policy shows little evidence of having been thought through before its hasty and underhanded introduction. Perhaps more thought should have been given to working through all aspects of the "new" policy before it was put in place. Matters such as multiple car use, multiple family usage, and part time and casual employment patterns show no evidence of having been considered. .

Inadequacy of Alternative Transport

The lack of consultation prior to this decision having been taken is particularly concerning given the lack of available alternatives to private transport. In effect this decision is being enforced on the captive market of staff and students who have little option but to drive a car in order to get to work or fulfil their study commitment. Public transport is simply not a viable option for many and intercampus transport is deficient in meeting user needs.

Particular Characteristics of UWS Campuses

There is no evidence that the policy addresses the diverse situations of the various UWS campuses. Nor is it helpful to compare UWS with other metropolitan universities. The new policy does not meet the needs of the UWS community.

Morale

This decision has had a negative impact on staff morale and there has been an overwhelming level of criticism about the decision making process. Staff are increasingly demoralised by the constant and continuing major restructuring, and the erosion of standards in basic infrastructure, facilities and services. Staff are proud of their contribution to the University community. This decision fails to acknowledge or recognise an important aspect of that contribution for example where employees use their own cars for university purposes rather than the pool cars. Staff see this policy as an exercise in targeting staff as a revenue source.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) was advised in mid December 2004 that management at UWS planned to implement charges for yellow parking permits and to increase charges for red and blue parking permits. The CPSU responded immediately to the proposal and formally requested that the University not proceed with any aspect of the implementation of the proposed parking policy until formal discussions had taken place with the CPSU and views of the membership were taken into account. Correspondence was sent to management for urgent attention on 13 January 2005 seeking urgent discussions with no acknowledgement and no response to the matters raised until 11 February.

During this time the CPSU has received a growing number of phone calls and e-mails expressing dismay about this decision.

It is, therefore, requested that the Resolution:

"That the introduction of parking/access fees (general parking) and an increase in the fee for daily parking on 5 campuses (not including Blacktown) be approved;"

In further support from the wider University community, numerous petitions have been signed and are being forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor.

Yours faithfully
JOHN CAHILL
STATE BRANCH SECRETARY