The National Tertiary Education Union has scored a major victory in the fight to save jobs at Western Sydney University.
After pressure from NTEU members, WSU management has agreed that any ongoing staff member whose old role is scrapped will be found a suitable new job at the university as part of the restructure.
Earlier in the year, Western Sydney University announced plans to cut up to 400 jobs in a sweeping restructure of its workforce.
Under the new agreement, the university has committed to not making use of any forced redundancies.
Staff whose positions are disestablished will be offered suitable alternative roles, ensuring that those who wish to stay at the university can retain secure employment.
Quotes attributable to NTEU NSW Division Secretary Vince Caughley:
"This agreement shows there is always a better way to manage change. It is possible to protect livelihoods, put people first, and safeguard the institution without destroying jobs or reputations in the pursuit of balance sheet improvements."
"For months staff have endured a major failure of process and governance that has caused enormous distress. Thanks to the persistence of our branch members, we now have an outcome that proves managements do have options - and that there is no need to devastate people's lives or undermine a university's standing to deliver change.
"The union will always fight for secure employment. The commitment reached here shows that secure jobs and institutional sustainability can go hand in hand, if management chooses to respect staff and work constructively.
"We hope this approach provides a better path to change. It is now crystal clear that change does not have to mean forced redundancies, and we urge other university managements in NSW to take note."
Quotes attributable to NTEU WSU Branch President David Burchell:
"This is a big win for NTEU members at our place, and for the wider University community. After a year of stress, anxiety, fear and at times downright chaos, it imposes a much-needed framework of decency and sanity onto the University's 'Reset' process."
"It's also a big win for NTEU members and staff at the various other universities in NSW where huge job-cutting projects are being pursued. There is nothing inevitable about these processes. Union members and staff have agency."
"This is the first time this year that a Vice Chancellor, genuinely acknowledging the stress and anger the job cuts epidemic has caused in their communities, has agreed to take a meaningful step from the brink. Hopefully it's a sign of saner times to come."
Quotes attributable to NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes:
"All around the country, NTEU members are standing up to reckless and unjustified job cuts – and winning.
"Whether it's locking in no forced redundancies at ANU or ensuring WSU staff whose roles are cut find another job, union members standing together are landing major blows against damaging cuts.
"We're fighting these short-sighted plans at campuses but we need federal and state reform to stop unaccountable executives damaging entire communities by tearing at the fabric of universities."
