Massey University has made a “preliminary decision” to cut over 30 jobs, the majority of these being on its Palmerston North campus. Under its “Shared Services” review, 65 current positions mostly general staff, including administrators, teaching consultants and student advisors would be cut and 37 new positions created. Most current staff whose positions are cut will have to apply and compete for the new positions.

The university will now begin a two-week period of consultation on these proposals until 30 August.  It anticipates announcing its final decision in the week of 6 September.

The Tertiary Education Union’s branch president Harvey Jones says that the university is responding to government funding cuts:

“Continuing government underfunding appears to be driving the need for this restructuring.”

“Although the university has listened to staff and the union and reduced the number of jobs cuts it proposed earlier, this will provide little comfort to my friends and colleagues who have received letters from the university proposing to end their jobs.  By the time they have worked out their notice these Massey staff face the prospect of joining the ranks of the unemployed before Christmas.  For New Zealand’s economic recovery we need to keep people in work and help more young New Zealanders get an education, but Government cuts to university funding are preventing this.”

Mr Jones remains concerned that Massey states that there will be still more restructuring with a growing list of areas within the university identified for further restructuring and potential job losses.

“Staff in these areas and others are experiencing a prolonged period of job uncertainty.”

Over the next two weeks TEU will be working with members affected under these proposals to reduce the number of jobs which are proposed to be cut and assist those members who want to, to move into new positions.