Florey Neuroscience Institutes partnered with the Institute for Mental Health Research in 2012, and the union is pushing for all employees to be covered by the new agreement. Employees of the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health held their first 24-hour strike in the institute`s history on Tuesday due to the deadlock in negotiations over company deals. Gary Gray, Florey`s chief operating officer, said negotiations with the union on a new company deal had already been taking place for many months. ”At the same time, the Florey has experienced several funding challenges and new costs associated with moving into new facilities,” he said. ”Regardless of this, we have a salary increase of 3% with effect from 1. Approved and disbursed as an interim measure in July of this year. The previous agreement between Florey`s approximately 200 employees expired in March 2012. The union is aiming for a 16% wage increase over four years. The institute offers 3.5% over 3 and a half years. Rhidian Thomas, an official with the National Union of Higher Education, said staff had not taken the move lightly.

The strike follows a series of midday sessions in recent weeks. Up to 35 employees gathered outside the campus during the Royal Parade in Parkville. ”People are very aware of the pay gap that has opened up between them and the University of Melbourne,” Thomas said. He said the wage gap has widened from about 2 percent a decade ago to 10 percent today. .