Media Release
15 July 2024
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has today condemned the University of Tasmania's (UTAS) inadequate and evasive response to serious concerns raised about its proposed restructuring of the College of Business and Economics (COBE).
Dr. Ruth Barton, Secretary of the NTEU Tasmania Branch, stated, "UTAS's reply is nothing more than bureaucratic doublespeak. They continue to shroud their true intentions in a fog of procedural jargon, showing a blatant disregard for genuine consultation and staff wellbeing."
The NTEU maintains that UTAS's restructuring plan is just the tip of the iceberg, signalling the start of widespread job cuts across the university.
"Make no mistake, this is only the beginning," Dr. Barton warned. "UTAS claims transparency, but their actions speak louder than words. They're not eliminating work - they're simply shifting it onto the shoulders of already overburdened staff, all while hiding behind a veneer of 'consultation'."
The union criticises UTAS's failure to address the core issues raised, instead focusing on defending their process rather than engaging with the substance of the NTEU's concerns.
"UTAS is more interested in ticking boxes than in genuine dialogue," Dr. Barton added. "Their response is a masterclass in deflection, sidestepping the real issues of workload intensification, job security, and the quality of education."
The NTEU is particularly alarmed by UTAS's interpretation of the Staff Agreement, which appears to narrow the scope for voluntary redundancies.
"This is a cynical attempt to limit staff options and force through involuntary redundancies," Dr. Barton explained. "It's clear that UTAS is more concerned with pushing through their agenda than with the wellbeing of their staff or the quality of education they provide."
The NTEU is calling on VC Rufus Black to immediately halt the restructuring process, provide comprehensive information about the true extent of planned job cuts, and engage in genuine consultation with staff and the union.
"We will not be placated by empty assurances and procedural smoke screens," Dr. Barton concluded. "UTAS must come clean about their real intentions, engage in meaningful dialogue, and prioritise the interests of staff and students over short-term cost-cutting measures."
The NTEU remains committed to fighting for the rights of university staff and is considering all options, including potential industrial action, to protect the quality of education at UTAS and the wellbeing of its employees.
Media Contact:
Dr Ruth Barton 0417 146 761