Charles Darwin University axes another 39 of its staff in restructure plan

CHARLES Darwin University has axed another 39 of its staff today, on top of 36 workers who have already gone in the university’s restructure plan

Thirty-nine Charles Darwin University staff have been given the bad news today that the job position they had has been axed. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• CDU sackings to be revealed today

THIRTY-NINE Charles Darwin University staff have been given the bad news today that the job position they had has been axed.

This figure is on top of the 36 staff members, impacted by the CDU restructure plan that have also gone after volunteering to take redundancy.

All up the CDU is reducing its staff by 77 full-time positions which represents 5 per cent of all staff.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Meredith Parry said the proposition that the CDU should wait until next year when a new Vice Chancellor is appointed before any restructure takes place would make no difference.

“This change is a directive from the CDU Council and that’s not going to change regardless,” she said.

“We have a Council directive to find savings through financial efficiencies across the university for sustainability, and to position CDU for growth and provide better pathways

“We have been going through this change plan for 18 months and staff need to have certainty about their futures. They can move on either with the University or elsewhere.”

Ms Parry said there may be an opportunity over the next few months for some of the 39 to take advantage of the redeployment options from the CDU’s enterprise agreement.

“We will be working with those people to see if there is other options within the university if that is their choice,” she said.

The positions no longer required include vacant positions, job sharing and part time arrangements.

The number of courses to be cut is 19. All current students will have an option to finish or continue their studies.

Ms Parry said CDU will continue to support the affected staff.

“Since releasing proposed changes on September 29, the team has diligently assessed more than 400 pieces of feedback from staff to create the most effective and workable solutions,” Ms Parry said.

“There are many staff who took a great deal of time to provide their input, we value this feedback and in response have made a number of changes in every affected college or office.”

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Ms Parry pledged that the university will continue to be proactive in its consultations with employers and industry to ensure apprenticeships and skills training meets the needs of the Territory.

“Through better collaboration across the Territory, CDU will focus on our core business of providing the best training for a Territory workforce, ready to take advantage of economic opportunities,” she said.