Council split on planned job cuts

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24566844-12149,00.html
Andrew Trounson
October 29, 2008

IN the face of looming strike action, Victoria University has determined to carry through with its plan to cut up to 270 staff in the next six months despite the prospect of a federal funding boost following the Bradley review in December.

But it was a split 13-7 vote with two independent councillors backing a motion from staff council members to freeze the redundancy pending a review of finances. While chancellor Frank Vincent said the redundancy program remained on track, noting that every effort would be made to minimise job losses, the National Tertiary Education Union claimed it was encouraged by the split vote.

In an email to staff, NTEU branch president Richard Gough said the vote "indicates a level of disquiet in council about management decisions that has rarely been seen".

The NTEU has condemned the job losses as premature given the prospect of a funding boost from Canberra in 2010 once the Bradley review reports in December. And commenting on the job losses earlier this week, Victorian Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan told The Australian "it is unfortunate that Victoria University has made this decision prior to the completion of the federal Government's review of higher education which is expected to report in December 2008".