Fallout From the Threat of the Government's Implementation of the Research Quality Framework. (March 13, 2007)

    The following email was sent around The University of Melbourne this morning.

From: jmbates@unimelb.edu.au
Subject: RQF and academic staff retirement
Date: 13 March 2007 10:45:25 AM
To: jmbates@unimelb.edu.au

Dear NTEU University of Melbourne academic staff members,

The University of Melbourne has informed the NTEU that it is about to embark on a process of offering a limited number of academic staff  retirement packages.

The criteria to be used for this offer is strictly tied to the Research Quality Framework requirements for academic research data to  be provided to DEST on 31 March 2007.

The University has given the NTEU assurances this is not a staff shedding process.

Management emphasised repeatedly that there will be no pressure, coercion or bullying of staff to take up the offer.

They further assured the NTEU that there will be no victimisation or future prejudicial consequences for staff remaining.

Staff accepting the offer who have teaching commitments will not be required to leave employment until the end of 2007.

There will be no consequential reduction in budget where staff have left under this process.

The NTEU will be monitoring these assurances and requests that  members contact immediately if these assurances are not being met.

Ted Clark
President
University of Melbourne Branch
NTEU


Jane Bates
Membership Officer
NTEU University of Melbourne Branch

One Melbourne academic told TFW that at present, "Whenever there are redundancies, voluntary or otherwise, it is traumatic, and there has been unhappiness here. However, I believe the NTEU's points are being adhered to."