ANU must pause all job cut plans after union win
National Tertiary Education Union
The Australian National University (ANU) has committed to no future change proposals containing forced redundancies. However, there are currently eight restructures at various stages of proposal and implementation, with more than 100 staff still facing the loss of their job.
Quotes attributable to NTEU ACT Division Secretary Dr Lachlan Clohesy:
“The announcement of no new forced redundancies is a clear vindication of the union’s campaigning. This is a win for ANU staff, students, and the broader community who have been appalled by this process and the way it has been managed, and have actively opposed it.
“We still have eight processes in place, with more than 100 people currently facing the prospect of having their jobs cut. This announcement gives no comfort to those facing the axe. The Vice Chancellor needs to revisit those existing proposals, which include disestablishment of incredibly significant resources like the Australian National Dictionary Centre, the Humanities Research Centre, the Centre for European Studies and the ANU School of Music.
“Previous announcements have indicated that more Change Proposals may come in 2026. We’re calling on the Vice Chancellor to confirm that there will be no forced redundancies in 2026, whether ANU leadership considers them part of ‘Renew ANU’ or not.
“ANU has lost more than 1000 staff since April 2024, including those already gone and those proposed to go. It is misleading to only refer to forced redundancies when talking about jobs lost.”
Quotes attributable to NTEU ANU Branch President Millan Pintos-Lopez:
"Let's be real, the pressure that union members have put on University Executive is working. They haven't willingly had the hard conversations, our collective voices have forced them to. Measures like voluntary separations to avoid forced redundancies were implemented because of the actions of union members.
“This is a win for our campaign, but there is more to do to see off Renew ANU and save jobs.
"The Vice Chancellor must pause all proposed redundancies, at least until the outcome of the next voluntary separation round is known and the TEQSA investigation is complete.
"There are still over 100 staff members who don't know if they'll have a pay cheque this Christmas. We’re calling on the Vice Chancellor to rule out redundancies in 2026. It is ludicrous to continue down this path when new student caps aren't factored into new financial forecasts, a TEQSA investigation is underway and the outcome of the second round of voluntary separations is not yet known."
Contact details:
Dr Lachlan Clohesy ([email protected], 0418 493 355)