In the past few weeks you should have received a document from ACU Management outlining a series of proposed changes to the enterprise agreement and other saving measures in response to shortfalls in international student enrolments.
The options that have been presented are either job losses or real wage cuts.
The CPSU NSW – the Professional Staff Union, does not agree with either of these options. In fact, prior to the release of this document, the CPSU NSW proposed a variety of options to mitigate financial losses. Our proposals included offering early retirement or voluntary retirements, to voluntary fractional appointments and purchased leave programs. The CPSU NSW also invited ACU management to educate and survey staff about these voluntary options. Our proposals were consistent with similar action taken by other universities, many significantly more exposed to revenue shortfalls than ACU.
None of these options seem to have been explored by ACU management, which has instead suggested employee-related savings that have a detrimental impact upon you.
To keep ACU accountable, we have created a survey for all staff – professional and academic, union and non-union, to complete. This survey will be kept strictly confidential. However, it will help to inform us about staff sentiment, and explore alternatives to big pay cuts and job losses.
Please fill in the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/P3LVMMN.
We would also greatly appreciate it if you could share this with your colleagues. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact the CPSU NSW – the Professional Staff Union by calling 1300 772 679, or emailing .
If you are interested in getting more involved in the Professional Staff Union, feel free to go to cpsunsw.org.au/join to learn more.
