3 minute read
COVID-19 & higher education: a timeline
from Sentry, May 2020
by NTEU
Although New Year's Eve 2019 seems like a lifetime away, it’s only been a few months and look what’s happened! NYE was when China first reported a cluster of 41 cases of pneumonia in Wuhan. Here is a potted timeline of what's happened since then.
JANUARY 2020
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11 First death from COVID-19 recorded in China.
13 First case of COVID-19 outside of China recorded in Thailand.
FEBRUARY 2020
1 Australia bans entry to all peoplecoming from China, except citizens and permanent residents, preventing many international students from reaching Australia.
2 First death from COVID-19 outside of China, in the Philippines.
10 NTEU writes to all vice-chancellors raising concerns about workplace health and safety, workloads, maintaining work for casual staff, and racism on campuses.
14 NTEU writes to Education Minister calling for a support package.
27 Australian Government declares that COVID-19 will become a global pandemic.
During this time, universities were scrambling to get as many courses as possible ready for online delivery.
MARCH 2020
1 First recorded death from COVID-19 in Australia.
10 NTEU launches COVID-19 website.
11 WHO declares a pandemic.
12 Government announces first stimulus package, with no relief for casual workers or the higher education sector.
16 NTEU waives three months dues for all casual members.
16 NTEU launches scorecards displaying how Vic universities are looking after staff and slowing the spread of COVID-19. All states and territories covered in following days. By the end of March, 28 universities had committed to at least a minimum 10 days special leave to cover isolation periods, including for casual staff.
18 Australian Government introduces an indefinite international travel ban.
19 NTEU launches sector-wide petition calling on vice-chancellors to guarantee paid leave for all staff if affected by COVID-19.
NTEU writes to all VCs raising members’ concerns about the failure to ensure social distancing rules.
22 Federal Government announces second stimulus package (increased JobSeeker payments through Newstart), excluding our sector again.
23 State governments progressively ‘locking down’ and restricting movement.
25 NTEU National Executive agrees to open discussions with employers on a sector-wide response to COVID-19, calls on universities to guarantee pay and conditions for all staff and protect staff health and safety, and calls on the Federal Government for a support package.
30 Federal Government announces third stimulus package (JobKeeper subsidy). Universities effectively ineligible for JobKeeper subsidy.
31 Over 1,500 new NTEU members join during March.
APRIL 2020
1 Briefings commence for NTEU Branches on the possibility of a jobs protection framework.
2 One million COVID-19 infections reached worldwide.
5 NTEU email to members launching 'Morrison Monday', encouraging members to post on social media and ring PM Morrison’s office calling for a rescue package.
7 Universities Australia warns the sector is facing a deep crisis, with up to a $4.5 billion shortfall in revenue this year, threatening up to 21,000 jobs in the next six months.
8 NTEU email to higher ed staff outlines proposal to consider options for saving jobs as the highest priority.
10 Global death toll for COVID-19 passes 100,000.
12 Federal Government announces so-called 'relief' package for the sector. NTEU response is that the package is 'smoke and mirrors'.
14 NTEU email to higher education staff details extent of crisis, outlines a possible Jobs Protection Framework, and asks staff to send an email to the Education Minister calling for a real rescue package.
15 Two million infections worldwide.
23 Over 1,800 people send an email to the Education Minister, and over 12,000 sign the petition.
24 Online briefing for NTEU National Councillors. The briefing endorsed the NTEU’s negotiation with VCs for a National Job Protection Framework, with an 85% majority voting in favour of the motion.
26 Global death toll passes 200,000.
29 NTEU launches Sentry online magazine to keep members informed and in touch during the COVID-19 crisis.
NTEU's 'Morrison Monday' graphic
'Solidarity is the Best Medicine' illustration commissioned by NTEU at the start of the pandemic (Sam Wallman)
