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We are a dynamic
team of Nteu au members

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Branch Officer Candidates

Virginie Masson

for Branch President

As a Union elected official with more than 16 years’ experience at local, state and national levels, I am a strong and effective advocate for our members, with one clear goal: to protect and advance your rights.

I have represented dozens of academic and professional staff in management meetings, and as a skilled negotiator have resolved most matters before they escalated to formal disputes. As Branch President, I led the last UoA bargaining round, spearheaded the successful campaign against trimesters, and continue to pursue underpayment of casuals and unreasonable workloads. I also co‑lead the Health and Safety Representatives workgroups for Adelaide University.

With your support, I will continue to protect your rights and the Branch’s independence - always in members’ interests, always on your terms, and away from political games.

Liz Claessen

for Branch Vice-President (General)

As a proud unionist, I am nominating for Vice-President (General Staff) because I believe in a strong and active branch that stands up for members and delivers real outcomes. Through my work in the Adelaide branch, including leading the Under 40s group and supporting the design of branch specific campaigns, I have focused on building connection, encouraging participation, and ensuring that newer and younger union members have a strong voice in our union. With a particular focus on advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university, I am committed to representing the interests of professional and academic staff with integrity and fairness. I understand the importance of collective action, respectful advocacy, and member-led decision-making, and I want to help strengthen our branch, so it remains responsive, inclusive, and effective.

If elected, I will work collaboratively with branch committee colleagues to support members, promote engagement, and contribute to campaigns that protect jobs, conditions, and the future of our sector. I am passionate about the role our union plays in defending workplace rights and creating positive change

Jess Pacella

for Branch Vice-President (Academic)

I am nominating in this election as Vice-President (Academic), and National Councillor because I am committed to defending and advancing the rights and conditions of all staff in the tertiary education sector. With over a decade of experience as an academic, from insecurely to securely employed, I understand the challenges we face — from increasing workloads, job insecurity and fair pay rises in a post-merger environment.
 

I believe in a strong and present union that listens to its members, and acts with transparency and integrity. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for fair workloads, secure jobs and fair pay.

 

Together, let’s build a better university.

Nick Warner

for Branch Secretary

I am Co-Branch Secretary of the AU NTEU Branch (previously Branch Secretary at the UofA Branch) and a National Councillor and am seeking re-election.

I am a committed trade unionist and strongly believe that workplace health and safety is core union business along with defending and enhancing our workplace rights which can only be achieved through collective action.

One of the fundamental tasks of a Branch Secretary is to assist and enable the Branch Committee to perform its duties to the Branch membership. It is vitally important that we have a Branch Committee that recognises and acts upon their powers and responsibilities and I am fully committed to supporting the Committee to do that.
 
As a National Councillor, I have represented the Branch (AU and UofA) and the SA Division for nine years. I am vocal in championing the interests of members from the smaller Divisions at National Council in counterbalance to the influence of the larger Divisions.  I would, if re-elected, relish the opportunity to continue to do so for the next two years.

Branch Committee Candidates

Tyson Felix-Smith

As a dedicated and active member of our University community, I seek your support for my nomination as a Branch Committee Member for the Adelaide University branch.

My experience in health and wellbeing initiatives is extensive. I am a current member of several networks and committees, including, but not limited to, various health and wellbeing networks, and an elected member of the Unisuper Consultative Committee. I was also an active member of the NTEU Campaign Committee for the former University of Adelaide branch, as well as an incumbent NTEU Branch Committee member.

I am committed to the welfare of our University Community. Over the years, I have driven several wellbeing initiatives for staff and students and continue to be motivated to increase awareness around mental health measures, environmental justice issues and workers' rights, particularly regarding rights and entitlements for union and non-union members.

Priya Chacko

I am an Associate Professor of International Politics in the School of Society and Culture. I have been a member of the NTEU since I was a PhD student and have served as an Ordinary Member and Vice President of the University of Adelaide Branch Committee.

I am seeking to re-join the Branch Committee as an Ordinary Member because during this period of merger and transition, the Adelaide Branch has a rare opportunity to transform the way universities have been run.

Corporatisation and managerialism have produced a governance crisis at Australian universities, resulting in extensive wage theft, precarious employment, inflated senior management salaries, non-transparent decision making and unaccountable and unrepresentative University Councils.

As a member of the Branch Committee, I will work with my colleagues to address these pathologies while challenging management practices that are corrosive to academic freedom, increase academic workloads without compensation, are harmful to staff well-being and further casualise the workforce.

Victoria Fielding

I am again proud to stand as a candidate in the delegate elections for the Adelaide University branch.

I am an active unionist and have been an activist in the wider labour movement for over 20 years.
I have previously been the casual representative on the UniSA branch of the NTEU, which included a stint as South Australia’s casual representative on the national casuals committee, fighting for more secure work for precarious staff. More recently I have been involved in establishing the NTEU Adelaide University diversity, equity and inclusion sub-committee, with our first agenda focused on working with university management to address structural racism at the university.

Together we are stronger.

Dr. Djordje (George) Stefanovic

I am a Senior Lecturer at the School of Society and Culture. If elected, I will work to ensure that the Union represents interests and concerns of the Union Members.

I glad to endorse, Virginie Masson, Jess Pacella, Liz Claessen, and Nick Warner to lead the AU Branch.

I am particularly interested to work on the following issues: 
- Union members should have a job security in the post-merger period.
- Teaching workloads need to be set at a level that leaves sufficient time for intensive research work, as appropriate for a G8 University.
- Minority union members should be protected from harassment and discrimination
- Promotion process should be transparent and merit-driven.
- Salary increases should reflect the cost-of-living increases.

James Donovan

I am a filmmaker and cinematographer who has worked in the university sector since 2016, and I am seeking election as a Branch Committee Ordinary Member. I am a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and a strong voice for those around me.

During the merger, management has made conditions worse and failed to understand its obligations to us - the people who have created this new university. Professional staff have held up their end of the bargain, and it has never been more important to hold management to account. In my area, I’ve been fighting to make sure that we don’t go backwards.

I’ve helped many professional staff engage with the NTEU - the best thing you can do in uncertain times is join your union. We are stronger when we organise together, and I’m looking to give back by amplifying your voice in the NTEU.