A number of universities in NSW are threatening job cuts as the CPSU NSW prepares to begin Enterprise Bargaining at several locations.

With bargaining set to commence in August this year, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has warned the union to brace for job cuts to accommodate a loss in revenue.
The CPSU NSW is examining claims these cuts are based on an unlawful metric that rates academics based on how much research income they produce.

Work plans, contracts and briefing documents produced by the consulting giant KPMG, on a $5 million project commissioned by the leadership at UTS, reveal the firm’s focus on identifying “high risk” subjects and courses.

Western Sydney University (WSU) has also cited a drop in income from overseas students as a reason to embark on job cuts, with as many as 400 jobs to go. The CPSU NSW, however, has demanded to see more concrete figures.

“We want a closer look at the books,” said Senior Industrial Officer Lisa Nelson. “The financial briefing we were provided is still using forecast figures, not actual numbers.”
WSU has closed two of its campuses; Lithgow and Nirimba.

The University of Wollongong was among the first NSW universities to announce job cuts in reaction to a drop in revenue. This is despite a report from the Australia Institute highlighting high consultancy and travel expenses.

At present, the university has threatened 180 job losses among Professional Staff. However, the Change Management Plan that incorporates these cuts is on hold until July this year.

The legislation that created the university stipulates it create opportunities for Illawarra students. Despite this, local campuses are targetted for closure while overseas sites are unaffected.

“These job cuts are the result of overreliance on overseas students, rather than governments investing in higher education,” said PSA CPSU NSW Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright. “The best way for our country to adjust to a changing world is to invest more in education, rather than regarding our universities as little more than an export commodity.