The Australian Universities Job Protection Framework includes:
- temporary pay and increment freezes;
- temporary fractionalisation;
- protection for low paid employees;
- ability to direct leave; and
- financial flexibility to facilitate job retention.
Universities Australia Chair Professor Deborah Terry AO said:
“We estimate that universities face a revenue decline of between $3 billion and $4.6 billion this year. Universities are looking for ways to work together—staff, students, unions and employers—to address unprecedented challenges,” Professor Terry said.
“I offer my thanks to the group of Vice-Chancellors led by Professor Andrew Vann (Charles Sturt University) and joined by Professor John Dewar (La Trobe University), Professor Margaret Gardiner (Monash University) and Professor Jane den Hollander (The University of Western Australia), as well as to AHEIA, who have conducted negotiations.”
“Individual universities will now need to look at the details and decide if they will take part, based on their own unique circumstances.”
Professor Vann acknowledged the hard work of all parties.
“I thank my university colleagues and the NTEU for their hard work, consultative spirit and willingness from both sides to make concessions as part of the negotiations,” Professor Vann said.
“Universities have been very hard hit by the impact of COVID-19, and they need to work out whether the package is going to assist them to make the financial savings that they now need to make.”
“Ultimately, we are all working towards the same aim—the ongoing viability of Australia’s higher education sector and the essential role universities and their staff play in our communities.”
“Universities wishing to take advantage of the Framework will need to put the variation to a staff vote and then have it approved by the Fair Work Commission,” Professor Vann said.
