AUT eyeing job cuts amid student population decline

Up to 230 jobs at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) are in jeopardy because of its post-COVID recovery programme, much to the dismay of unions representing the institution's employees.

In its announcement this week, the AUT said its proposal includes a review of administration and support operations to minimise duplication, as well as the closure of a small number of declining programmes and courses.

The university blamed its proposal on the impact of COVID-19, which resulted in a drop of international students because of lockdowns and border closures. The population of domestic students are also down due to the growing number of school leavers opting to enter the workforce.

"AUT's fundamentals are sound but we have a responsibility to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our current and future students," said Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa in a statement.

"Our students and our research contribution are at the centre of what we do, and the proposals are to ensure our future sustainability so we can deliver what our students, our city, and our country need."

The university currently employs 4,354 workers, where 2,178 of them are full-time and fixed-term staff. According to Salesa, this proposal is the first of its kind in its 22-year history.

"This is a difficult time for AUT, and we are focusing on caring for and consulting with our staff so that our way forward is the right one," said the vice chancellor.

Read more: Job cuts in this sector haven’t been this bad since the recession

Unions dismayed

In reaction to the announcement, the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) said it is "dismayed" to learn that AUT plans to cut more than 200 jobs.

"Our research has shown spending on staff falling, as a percentage of operating costs, across the sector and, as we have repeatedly pointed out, it's a sign that universities are devaluing staff who should be the basis of any human service," said Irena Brörens, TEU Assistant National Secretary – Industrial, in a statement.

"This is not a strategy AUT should be trying to emulate. Any university should be proud to invest significantly in staff."

According to Brörens, staff cuts are "never the way" to address the decline in student population.

"We have seen time and time again that they only result in unsustainable workloads and reduced service for students," said the official.

Jill Jones, TEU organiser at AUT, said the proposal from the university was "bitterly disappointing," adding that they plan to oppose the staff cuts.

"It's a slap in the face for our members, who have been working very hard to keep their university running through the COVID-19 pandemic, a 'hiring freeze,' and a voluntary leaving scheme that has already left many with high workloads due to already reduced staffing," said Jones in a statement.

"We will do everything we can to oppose these unnecessary cuts and support our members through what is set to be a very difficult time."