UNE dispute over Student Centre Restructure

Executive, 28 April 2008, EX57/08

"That Executive endorses the Union's dispute and campaign at the University of New England."

Student Centre staff have been advised by the University that the 'approved' student centre operating budget for 2008 is $3,805,000.

This figure is some $1,177,216 less than the 2007 budget and well below actual expenditure.

Staff have further been advised that the prospective 2008 budget will not pay for existing operating costs and, as such, have been invited to comment and provide feedback on, among other things, a possible reduction of staff.

Staff in the Student Centre have not as yet been provided with a rationale which clearly sets out the reasons for the prospective budgetary reduction.

Under the terms of the enterprise agreement the University is required to provide relevant information to staff that may be affected by emerging financial difficulties.

The proposed restructure in the Student Centre at UNE will result in excessive work overload for CPSU members and staff. The restructure has so far resulted in 14 contracts not being renewed and the loss of 14 staff in an area where work overload is a constant issue.

The CPSU is currently in dispute on this matter and have held a number of meetings and carried out an OH&S inspection of overtime records in an effort to assist members in the Student Centre. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness throughout the University of the budget cuts in the Student Centre and how this will affect their jobs and students at the University. We have also made contact with students to raise awareness of how the cuts ill affect them. The media release was picked up by local radio stations and newspapers.

The CPSU activities so far have identified a number of activists and resulted in an increase in membership in the Student Centre. The matter is ongoing and staff are currently awaiting a response to their proposal on the restructure before contacting University Council members. The Union is campaigning to fight the proposed cuts and the resulting work overload for members.