Union members vote today on the university’s proposal to save money by varying the enterprise agreement, which the branch committee of the NTEU opposes. Yesterday Vice Chancellor Brian Schmidt made the case

Where ANU is: The university wants staff to give up the enterprise agreement pay rise, due next month and to accept a voluntary redundancy scheme. Vice Chancellor Brian Schmidt explained why last month (CMM May 28).

Yesterday he expanded why the university must make savings and how it will make them, including “making hard decisions about fixed term contracts, reducing our use of casual staff, and pursuing voluntary separations.” And he again pitched “deferring” the salary increase to save $13.5m for a full year. “By and large I have been told people want to defer their pay rise, although I note concern for our lowest paid members of staff. Many senior staff have offered to forego their salary increase to allow their junior colleagues to keep theirs.”

Where Schmidt wants it be: Professor Schmidt also outlines what the university can do to expand income.

He points to a diversified philanthropy and research funding strategy already in place.  He reminds the community that the pre-COVID 19 plan to, “become a smaller, more sustainable organisation,” has “prepared us better.”

And he says the university is, “looking at new joint or dual degree programs that could be delivered overseas.”

“This will be a longer transition but will ensure we can continue to recruit the best students from around the world – even if they can’t physically attend campus.”