Tertiary union to take legal action after 250 redundancies

Stuff 25 November 2022

The New Zealand Tertiary Education Union (TEU) is taking legal action against Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in the hope it will curtail plans to make at least 170 people redundant, writes Gabrielle McCulloch for Stuff.

Organiser Jill Jones said the union and staff wanted to avoid legal action but felt they’d been left with “no option” as AUT has handled the situation “extremely poorly”. “Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa still hasn’t fronted up and engaged with staff,” she said. AUT has been contacted for comment.

On 5 September, AUT announced an expected 230 redundancies among a number of other cost-cutting measures, despite making a NZ$12 million (US$7.5 million) surplus in 2020 and 2021. Last month, the university said it anticipated making 250 equivalent full-time staff redundant – 9% more than was initially forecast. TEU has not yet revealed the nature of the legal action, but said the matter was before the employment relations authority.
Full report on the Stuff site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.