The NTEU national leadership and a panel of VCs have done a top-level deal to save jobs by cutting conditions at universities (CMM yesterday)

What workers get:

* no redundancies “without a reduction of work”

* people stood down because there is no work receive 30 per cent – 50 per cent of pay indefinitely

* voluntary separations before redundancies

* continuing work down by casuals stays with casuals

* no new appointments

What they wear:
* temporary pay cuts, generally between 5 per cent and 10 per cent but first $30 000 is exempt

* hold on reclassifications, payrises and promotions

* nine day fortnights

* transfers to other duties

* reducing leave balances

How it works:

What universities can ask for depends on the size of the COVID-19 hit they have taken, based on revenue loss, and operating cash flow margins. This will be overseen by expert panels of union and management reps at both national and university levels.

What happens next:

For the NTEU, if national council endorses the deal it will go to an e-ballot of all union members. If that passes, each university management will put a proposal based on local conditions to all staff.