The campus branch of the NTEU is not endorsing a savings framework developed by the federal leadership 

Vice Chancellor Margaret Gardner was one of four VCs who worked with the federal leadership of the National Tertiary Education Union to create the national framework for cuts to conditions in return for job protection. Professor Gardner says the national framework is the basis for the change proposal she has put to the university and which, “is vital to minimising job losses,” (CMM yesterday).

Professor Gardner says without the plan the university will need to cut 467 FTE positions, with it, 277.

As per the original deal the proposal goes to the union’s national office, then to a vote of Monash U members and if adopted by them to an all-staff vote to vary the enterprise agreement.

But Monash U management may not need to bother the Fair Work Commission, which oversees agreements.

Monash NTEU president Ben Eltham, tells CMM, there is, “no formal branch position on the Monash jobs protection proposal.”

“We support the right of all branch members to decide. The branch has committed to open campaigning, with all members free to argue their case. As branch president, I am in favour of the proposal, because I believe it will save jobs. I recognise some members are opposed to the proposal, and I welcome their contributions to this important debate,” Dr Eltham says.