Pay-rise freezes, realigning faculties among raft of QUT cost-saving measures
Staff at one of Queensland’s top universities could face a huge overhaul of their working conditions, including pay freezes, amid a $100m COVID-19 shortfall.
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STAFF at one of Queensland’s top universities could face a radical overhaul of their working conditions as the institution scrambles to mitigate a $100m shortfall caused by the COVID-19 economic crisis ravaging the tertiary sector.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) staff will this vote on pay-rise freezes, moratoriums on forced redundancies and temporarily halting the payment and accrual of leave loading, as the institution proposes a raft of changes to employee’s enterprise agreements in a cost-saving move.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Sheil today outlined the proposed changes as part of the university’s response to the economic blow the coronavirus pandemic had caused.
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It follows negotiations with the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Together Union to propose a variation to the current Enterprise Agreements.
Professor Sheil said the negotiations had been productive and were aimed at preserving as many jobs as possible.
The proposal also includes changes to leave provisions, including COVID-19 leave, and the use of leave for Christmas shutdowns this year and in 2021, commitments for retraining, and maintenance of superannuation contributions.
Staff will be able to vote on the proposed changes this month before the next stage of cost-saving measures, the realignment of faculties and schools begins.
The university has already halted the majority of its building programs and “consolidated” administrative divisions from six to three.
“All of our senior staff have reduced their hours to a nine-day fortnight for the next 12 months, a move for which I am very grateful and one that marks the commitment of the 150 strong leadership team to QUT’s future,” Professor Sheil said.
The university is also proposing to move from two institutes and six faculties to five faculties such as Business and Law; Creative Industries, Education and Society; Engineering; Health and Biomedical Innovation; and science and Environment.
Professor Sheil today told students they would still receive the same qualifications and education.
The third stage of changes will then involve continuing the university’s digital transformation to ensure the virtual campus has the same offerings as it’s two physical campuses.
“This will enable more flexible learning and give access to high quality QUT courses to a greater number of students throughout Queensland and more broadly throughout Australia,” Professor Sheil said.