UNSW to slash up to 600 staff

A proposal to cut up to one quarter of general staff employed at UNSW will have a crippling effect on New South Wales’ second largest university, according to outraged members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).

"The potential magnitude of job loss is devastating and extreme," Ms Adrianne Harris, CPSU UNSW President said. "If this is allowed to happen it will have a crippling effect on the University and threatens its ability to continue as a competitive and viable educational institution."

The University, which made a $16.589 million surplus in 2005, has given staff until the 15 September to determine if they want to take a redundancy. But Ms Harris says staff are being forced to make life-changing decisions in a vacuum.

"The University is obliged to provide details of proposed changes and must consider all options to avoid job losses. We don't believe it has done so. The University has failed to disclose what services will be lost, what the new structure will be or how students and the community will be affected. "

Steve Turner, CPSU State Assistant Secretary, expressed concern with the timing: "This is an example of what all employers can now do under Workchoices. The University signs a new enterprise agreement and the day after they are planning to sack staff without consultation or discussion. There is no job security for anyone under Workchoices."

The Union will be holding an all staff forum on Tuesday 29 August 2006 and will campaign to fight the loss of jobs at the University.

"Staff are angry and they are prepared to fight. They don't see why they have to bear the brunt of bad management, poor leadership and the callous indifference of the Federal Government." Ms Harris said.