Key facts
- Thousands of University of Sydney staff participated in a 24-hour strike.
- Key issues include job security, workload fairness, and protections against artificial intelligence.
- Staff expressed a lack of trust in the university's management.
- The university stated it is engaging with the union and believes the strike is premature.
- Student classes were largely moved online, rescheduled, or cancelled due to the strike.
Thousands of staff members at the University of Sydney walked off the job on Wednesday, participating in a 24-hour strike over concerns related to artificial intelligence, workload fairness, and job security. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has been in protracted bargaining with the university, citing a lack of trust and insufficient protections for staff regarding the implementation of AI.
An internal survey revealed that in the faculty of arts and social sciences, 0% of staff agreed with the statement that they trust the University of Sydney to act in their best interests. This sentiment, coupled with longstanding issues, fueled the decision to strike. Picket lines were established across the university's inner Sydney campus, leading to the disruption of most scheduled classes, with many moved online, rescheduled, or cancelled.
NTEU representatives, including branch president Peter Chen and NSW division secretary Vince Caughley, emphasized the need for appropriate AI protections and best practices, warning that higher education is a bellwether for AI's impact across the economy. They expressed concerns about the university's focus on commercialization and venture capital interests over staff and student welfare. The union is seeking due diligence and meaningful protections, not outright bans on AI, to ensure technology serves educational purposes.
A spokesperson for the University of Sydney stated that the institution is continuing to engage with the union and views the industrial action as premature. They affirmed a commitment to a human-centered approach to AI ethics, with established principles and guardrails developed in consultation with the community. While supporting many union objectives, the university believes these are better addressed through policy rather than the Enterprise Agreement.
The strike also highlights broader sector-wide issues such as growing class sizes and reduced student satisfaction. Concerns were raised about proposals for teaching-only roles that lack research components or scope for career growth. Bargaining team member Professor Laura Shepherd stressed the significant sacrifices students make for quality education and access to research leaders, urging that the enterprise agreement should not threaten these standards.
The University of Sydney's NTEU branch is the largest in Australia, and the institution has a history of activism. The current bargaining process, now in its fifth month, is occurring alongside continued opposition to the university's response to the Gaza conflict and restrictions on protest. New restrictions were implemented after a pro-Palestine encampment in 2024. The Student Representative Council joined the strike in solidarity, citing "draconian" protest restrictions and low student satisfaction as key motivators.
Despite the presence of security and police, the picket lines were described as having a jovial atmosphere, with participants engaging in activities like quizzes and fundraising for lost income. Professor Kurt Iveson, a geography professor, expressed a desire for meaningful protections that ensure AI serves the university's purpose rather than the other way around.