UWA to cut 300 jobs

National Tertiary Education Union WA division secretary Gabe Gooding said there was a considerable degree of fear among staff members at UWA.

“They shouldn’t have made the announcement without telling those people (who will lose their jobs). They should reconsider their decision,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson told staff last week that management had to save $40 million and was considering a proposal to change UWA’s academic structure from nine faculties and schools to four colleges.

The School of Indigenous Studies would be outside the new college structure.

A UWA spokesman said the university began a detailed consultation process with staff on various proposals about its future.

“The university is facing a number of financial challenges, which led to the University Senate late last year endorsing a plan to restructure the university and embark on a process to find savings of $40 million,” the spokesman said.

“Staff are encouraged to consider the proposals, and share their feedback and questions over the next few weeks.”