To: John Dewar, Vice Chancellor of La Trobe Univerisity

Academics Demand La Trobe Management Reinstate Roz Ward Immediately

La Trobe backs down. Roz Ward reinstated.

The university has withdrawn all charges and Roz returned to work on Monday.

The concerted campaign by Roz's union, the Safe Schools community and the wider community has clearly forced the university to come to its senses.

The NTEU calls upon Australia's vice chancellors to stand up and make it very clear that this type of unwarranted attack upon both academic freedom and the right of employees to hold and express an opinion will never be repeated.

If anyone wondered why you might join a union - this is why.

Immediately reinstate Roz Ward and drop all allegations of misconduct. Posting a political opinion on a personal facebook page is not misconduct, and any action against Roz is an attack on academic freedom.

Why is this important?

The case against Roz is a case against all workers and activists. Roz is facing a serious misconduct charge and has been suspended for stating a political belief. La Trobe University management are participating in a witch hunt driven by the Murdoch Press and right wing bigots. We need to defend Roz's job and the rights of any worker in any workplace to express political beliefs.