An announcement on Stage Two outcomes is expected “in a couple of weeks”

PSR was announced in August, as a part of a pandemic savings programme.

Stage One, has not been much fun – certainly not for staff made redundant in February, 198 took VRs and another 107 were told to go, (CMM March 25). But exits for some are said to be delayed – with people being asked to stay on for a bit, to staff student recruitment, what with open day on the way.

Management has also faced vigorous protests from staff.  A proposal to outsource the functions of the training and engagement team in Research Computing Services was dropped, the function moves to the Data Analytics Programme (CMM February 22). And now grounds-staff will keep working, at least until next year, after a grass-roots (sorry) campaign. Nor has the campaign made savings equivalent to all the jobs going – by end March 76 new positions were announced.

Uni Melbourne observers suggest staff are also anxious, with confusion as to who will do what work under PSR1.

And now people are anxiously awaiting news on stage two. “Phase 2 PSR changes continue in a tone-deaf approach to pandemic ‘recovery’,” the new National Tertiary Education Union branch leadership, Annette Herrera, David Gonzalez and Graham Schaffer, tell members.