National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at La Trobe University will ramp up pressure on chancellor and former Victorian premier John Brumby over a damaging plan to cut courses and jobs.
Union members will protest outside a conference Mr Brumby is speaking at on Thursday, distributing information explaining the consequences of major restructures and policy changes.
In an open letter to La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Theo Farrell, staff urged senior management to withdraw all proposals to cut staff, subjects, courses and student services.
“The changes pose a severe risk to the University’s reputation, enrollments, accreditation and medium- to long-term financial position,” NTEU members wrote.
NTEU La Trobe University Branch President Dr Martin Clark said:
“Staff are protesting John Brumby’s failure as the head of the university council to hold management accountable for this terrible plan to cut courses, jobs and student services.
“This unacceptable and unwarranted attack on world-class teaching and research must be stopped immediately.
“There are real concerns the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science will be damaged beyond repair, rendering both core degrees untenable.
“Senior leadership have ignored or dismissed staff, who are experts in exactly what has driven La Trobe’s success.
“Management has not given any rationale for why these cuts are necessary.
“Union members make no apology for taking strong action to highlight this reckless and damaging proposal, which will leave staff, students and the wider community worse off.”
*** MEDIA ALERT ***
Who: NTEU members from La Trobe University handing out flyers warning against management’s plan to cut courses, jobs and student services
When: 8am-10am, Thursday August 22
Where: Outside entrance to Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins St, Melbourne
Contact: Dr Martin Clark 0403 936 623 / mclark@nteu.org.au