“We have no need for the short-term emergency cost-savings measures proposed under the accord,” says vice chancellor

Flinders U is, “facing a significant revenue shortfall” this year and a larger one next, Vice Chancellor Colin Stirling told staff yesterday. However, it will not need to make the sort of savings envisaged by the proposed institution-union accord on cutting wages and conditions to protect jobs.

“Recent restructures at Flinders have positioned us to be able to adapt quickly to these challenging times and the required cost savings for 2020 have already been identified. … We are now developing the strategies we need to mitigate the additional challenges expected in 2021,” he said.

Flinders U, joins Australian Catholic U and Uni Melbourne in rejecting the accord.

Professor Stirling’s friends at Flinders U will see his announcement as vindication of his comprehensive academic and administrative restructure, much of which was adamantly opposed by the campus branch of the National Tertiary Education Union.