University of Wollongong to cut hundreds of jobs after negotiations break down
The University has announced hundreds of job cuts after negotiations around cost-saving measure broke down.
Illawarra Star
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The University of Wollongong has confirmed 350 jobs will be cut by after negotiations to keep the institution financially viable broke down between management and unions.
On Wednesday, the uni revealed it would commence “a program of broad institutional change” to address the $90 million budget shortfall created by COVID-19.
The “changes” will include removing duplicated roles across campus and reviewing low-enrolment subjects.
Negotiations broke down after Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE asked staff to consider supporting the enterprise agreements variation offered to staff as ‘Option 1’ in a recent preference survey. The option asked staff to consider a reduction in pay based on a sliding scale.
However, the university says staff chose not to back the option, despite serval meetings between management, staff and unions, forcing them to look at job cuts.
In an email to all staff Professor Wellings said he was “disappointed” at the outcome of the discussions and outlined the way forward.
“In good faith, university management carefully considered the requests of unions, and offered potential solutions to issues raised, but ultimately these variations do not address the reality of the threats to UOWs ongoing sustainability,” he said.
“The University’s operations and staff cost more than $12M per week. For this reason, we cannot delay our decision making any longer. We have arrived now at a point where implementing Option 3 is the only way forward.”
Option 3 on the staff survey meant the uni would proceed to make cost-savings under existing enterprise agreement terms and conditions, including reducing the workforce through workplace change, redundancies and lapsing employment contracts.
“I am deeply disappointed with this outcome as I had hoped to reach an alternative agreement that minimises job losses,” Professor Wellings said.
More to come.