General Staff Union condemns anti-democratic, anti-education IR changes

Changes announced today are just a subterfuge for anti-democratic controls over universities, cost cutting and disenfranchisement and depowerment of the workforce.

"The changes announced by Ministers Andrews and Nelson will not improve our universities - they will further accelerate Australia's brain drain and push university education towards mediocrity", says John Cahill, General Secretary of the Public Service Association and NSW Branch Secretary of the Community & Public Sector Union.

"What they have been unable to do by persuasion they are now trying by coercion. They are eliminating choice", says Mr Cahill.

"Their long term aim is to reduce labour costs through reduced wages and lesser conditions.

"The claim they want more flexibility for university managers. The sort of flexibility they are promoting will increase staff turnover and decrease staff morale. Neither outcomes are good for education.

"No university management or council and no university staff body has asked for any of these changes. Nelson and Andrews think they know what's best for universities, and that the experienced people do not.

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