The CPSU NSW has won for its members, forcing management at Western Sydney University (WSU) to implement an expression-of-interest process that resulted in more than 300 applications. This means fewer forced job losses at the university if it goes ahead with current plans to cut 400 roles.

The CPSU NSW is continuing to negotiate with WSU over its plans. In addition, Enterprise Bargaining is also taking place at the university.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) as the union fights to seek to reduce the institution’s plan to cut about 400 Professional Staff jobs.

The university’s plan to cut jobs hit a hurdle when SafeWork NSW expressed concerns about the psychological harm done to staff by the proposed cuts. However, UTS has since been allowed to proceed following engagement between the regulator and the university.

Bargaining is about to commence at UTS for a new Enterprise Agreement.

Enterprise Bargaining is also underway at Newcastle University, Charles Sturt University and the Australian Catholic University.

The CPSU NSW has been campaigning against cuts to the sector. Members protested outside a forum set up by The Australian Financial Review on the future of tertiary education (pictured below). Representatives of university employers were not invited to the high-cost function.

The union has also organised a letter-writing program to Members of Parliament and state and federal education ministers to oppose the cuts and to urge both layers of government to do more for the sector.

“University education is too important for our country’s future to leave to the vagaries of international student numbers,” said Industrial Manager Siobhan Callinan.