STRONGER TOGETHER

Tēnā Koutou

We are the majority union representing staff at Ara Institute of Canterbury. Our primary focus is to negotiate progressive collective agreements for academic staff.

About AASC

The Ara Academic Staff of Canterbury (AASC) is an incorporated society of academic staff solely of Ara Institute of Canterbury. It is, in effect, a site union. Members of AASC have their own Collective Employment Agreement (CEA). It is managed by a voluntary committee of members elected annually.

Key Membership Benefits

The AASC Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) has many unique features e.g. generous professional development provisions and institute leave which means the three day ARA Christmas/New Year close-down is not counted as Annual Leave

STRONGER TOGETHER

We negotiate progressive collective agreements on behalf of academic staff at ARA. Join Us to take advantage of our Collective Employment Agreement and benefits such as higher salaries, flexible study-leave provisions, more part time hours, end-of-year leave and more.

Who can be a member of AASC ?

Anyone employed by ARA in a tutorial or academic role. There are certain categories of employment that aren’t covered by AASC’s Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) and our secretary will be pleased to give you information about them.
Please note that you can’t be a member of two unions at once.
Full-timers:

$364 per year split evenly over 26 pay periods (i.e. paid at $14 per fortnight).

Proportional:

$84 per year plus the same proportion of $280 per year, split evenly over 26 pay periods (e.g. a 0.5 proportional tutor pays $84 + 0.5 x $280 = $224 per year, which becomes $224 / 26 = $8.62 per fortnight).

Part-timers and Casual:

50% of the full-time fee. That is $7 will be deducted from your wages per fortnight.

Our Latest News

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone employed by ARA in a tutorial or academic role is eligible to be a member of AASC.

Yes, certain categories of employment are not covered by AASC’s Collective Employment Agreement (CEA). Additionally, you cannot be a member of two unions at the same time. For more information, you can contact our secretary, Linda Toohey, at [email protected]

  • Full-timers: $364 per year, split evenly over 26 pay periods, which amounts to $14 per fortnight.
  • Proportional: $84 per year plus a proportion of $280 per year, split evenly over 26 pay periods (e.g., a 0.5 proportional tutor pays $84 + 0.5 x $280 = $224 per year, which equals $8.62 per fortnight).
  • Part-timers and Casuals: 50% of the full-time fee, resulting in a deduction of $7 per fortnight from your wages.

AASC members enjoy various benefits, including:

  • Higher salaries and the opportunity for Academic Study Leave (ASL), which can be up to 20 weeks (Type One) or up to 45 weeks (Type Two).
  • Paid Institute Leave during the working days between Christmas and New Year, which effectively adds 3 extra days of leave per year.
  • Part-time tutors can work up to 80% of a full-time tutor’s annual teaching hours, allowing them to earn more.
  • The convenience of collective bargaining and the support of professional legal representation if needed.
  • Coffee get-togethers and after-work socials (dates to be announced).
Yes, AASC’s contract provides for part-time tutors to work up to 80% of a full-time tutor’s annual teaching hours, which allows part-timers to earn more.
The key role of AASC is to support employees, ensure that the employment agreement is upheld between employees and employers, and promote health and well-being in the workplace.
Members will receive emails regarding the progress of the Collective Employment Agreement bargaining round.

To join AASC or for more information, you can fill in the membership form on this page or contact our secretary, Linda Toohey, at [email protected]

Our Committee

Warwick Shillito

President

Warwick is a senior lecturer in anatomy, physiology, pathology and image interpretation in the Bachelor of Medical Imaging. He also teaches clinical anatomy and pathophysiology to osteopathy students in the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health and Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy.

His background is in psychology and chiropractic, having practiced for 10 years in Singapore and Australia. He has been involved with the union for over ten years and has been Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President over that time.

He has experience with resolving a wide range of industrial disputes as well as being involved in a number of collective employment negations. He has two adult sons, both of whom live overseas. In his spare time he is involved in sport and the performing arts….even a dabbling in musical theatre from time to time.

Jane Parker

Vice President

Jane has been a lecturer in law in the Dept of Enterprise and Digital Innovation for the last four years. Since graduating in law Jane has worked in diverse areas at the interface between the law and the legal rights of individuals in their daily lives.

Jane has worked for the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, the Ministry of Justice as a Disputes Tribunal Referee and the Real Estate Agents Authority on the regional Complaints Assessments Committee and is passionate about access to justice and transparency within government.

For Jane, active involvement with AASC is an opportunity to be part of a team that achieves positive outcomes for AASC members in a critical area of daily life – their employment. Away from Ara Jane loves reading, “lively” discussions, farmers’ markets and sharing meals with friends and her family.

Gus Walkden

Treasurer

Gus started teaching at Ara (in the CPIT Department of Business) at the start of 2012, after working as a professional Business Consultant for over 8 years.

Gus loves teaching and making a real difference in student’s lives as they come to study at Ara.

Gus enjoys amateur photography, in particular macro-photography. Gus has a Masters’ in Business Administration (MBA) degree from UC and loves making accounting reports relevant and easy to understand for everyone involved in the business. As treasurer, his aim is to help AASC use their financial resources to maximise member benefits.

Contact Form

Advocate for your department by becoming a delegate. If you’re interested in becoming a delegate get in touch today!

Contact Ara Academic Staff of Canterbury

Advocate for your department by becoming a delegate. If you’re interested in becoming a delegate get in touch today!

Postal Address

18 Williams Street Christchurch Central Christchurch 8011