A joint union-universities proposal is imminent

The Australian Universities Job Protection Scheme will propose a temporary reduction in staff conditions, and potentially wages, to protect jobs during the COVID-19 caused higher education earnings collapse.

Savings measures could include temporary reductions in pay and increment freezes. The federal leadership of the National Tertiary Education Union has been negotiating with a group of vice chancellors, including Andrew Vann, (CSU), Margaret Gardner (Monash U), John Dewar (La Trobe U) and Jane den Hollander (UWA). (CMM April 2).  The union’s position in talks has included protections for low-paid and casual staff and forced redundancies only where work is permanently gone (CMM April 15).

The Fair Work Commission has indicated it will “expedite” variations of industrial agreements to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and while the NTEU leadership faces member opposition to any such agreement, union-watchers say federal officials have strong branch support. Staff at each university involved would vote on local versions of the national terms.

La Trobe U VC John Dewar told staff yesterday that the to be proposed scheme would, “contribute to saving La Trobe jobs”.

Below: the shape LT U is in