Marcus Strom for National Council

Experienced | Democratic |
Socialist for National Council

Media Relations Adviser (Science) | External Engagement

I am a current NTEU National Councillor and former Federal President of MEAA, the journalists’ union.

I am standing for re-election to the NTEU National Council because higher education remains in crisis.

Across the sector we are seeing:

• continued corporatisation and growing militarisation of higher education

• ongoing casualisation, stagnating wages and insecure work

• governance failures that shut staff out of democratic decision-making

• attacks on academic freedom and free speech.

Our working lives are increasingly stressful. I support coordinated action to improve our wages and conditions – including strike action where necessary – to win above-inflation wage rises, secure jobs and improved conditions.

But enterprise bargaining alone is not enough. The Fair Work Act continues to restrict workers’ ability to organise and take effective action. Our union should work with others across the labour movement to campaign for its repeal and for genuine industrial rights.

As an anti-Zionist Jew, I fear that antisemitism – which is a real threat – is being used in higher education to silence genuine voices seeking peace and freedom in Palestine.

As a socialist member of the Australian Labor Party, I believe universities should serve the public good, not corporate interests, AUKUS or militarism.

As a general staff member, I am passionate the NTEU remains a strong voice for all tertiary education workers – professional and academic, ongoing and casual alike.

I have the experience and collaborative networks to contribute to the work of the NTEU over the next two years, both at branch level and at National Council.

I would be honoured to have your vote to represent University of Sydney members on the NTEU National Council.