More than 500 university workers struck from 11 am on Thursday before rallying at Queens Gardens in Brisbane. The National Tertiary Education Union members came from Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland. Students and other unionists joined the rally. Workers are bargaining on pay and conditions, saying managements have made below-inflation offers or no offers at all. QUT and UQ managements are trying to have the Fair Work Commission intervene, while Griffith’s bosses say they will not negotiate until next year. Union members contrasted their squeezed pay with recent surpluses declared by UQ and QUT managements. They also pointed to Griffith spending $67 million on a building that did not have the offices needed for university activities. Members want a pay rise that at least matches cost-of-living increases. They are also seeking equity in superannuation payments for casual staff and an end to job cuts and spiralling workloads. The rally was larger than a similar one during bargaining four years ago.