University backs down over ‘Hunger Games’ cuts that put 1800 jobs in doubt

Deakin University has scrapped plans for a shake-up that would have put almost a third of its total workforce in doubt after a groundswell of opposition.

The university’s backdown follows the shock resignation of its vice chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, earlier this month.

After nearly seven years, Martin abruptly announced his departure, just days after it was revealed that about 1800 staff of Deakin’s 6000-strong workforce would have to justify their roles, and up to 150 employees would lose their jobs.

On Thursday, the university apologised to staff over the uncertainty. The jobs were to be cut from Deakin’s academic portfolio and infrastructure and digital division. The university announced two weeks of consultation with staff on June 4.

Staff complained at the time of the announcement that the consultation felt disingenuous, and that Deakin executives had already made their minds up about the number of jobs to go, labelling the restructure a Hunger Games-style process.

Martin then resigned on June 9, effective immediately. However, it is unclear whether his departure was linked to the industrial turmoil. The university did not provide staff with a reason for Martin’s departure.

Chancellor Claire Higgins and caretaker vice chancellor Matthew Clarke wrote to staff on Thursday, saying the institution’s governing council had decided not to proceed with the proposed changes.

“These were substantial and complex proposals,” the two senior leaders wrote. “We know this period has been unsettling, and that the uncertainty has weighed on many of you.

“We are sorry for that.”

National Tertiary Education Union Deakin branch representative Reece Walters said the backdown had come as a great relief to staff, who had feared they could be left jobless.

“The proposal was deeply flawed and destructive,” he said. “I’m delighted for the staff that were immediately affected. For the first time in two weeks they can finally breathe a sigh of relief and be proud of themselves for standing up, speaking up and pushing back.”

Walters said that staff, including the deans of many departments, had been furious they were not told in advance about the proposed restructure.

“Clearly there has been a small group of people somewhere in the university that has pushed this through,” Walters said, vowing the union would pursue accountability over the controversy.

“Those that have pushed this through without consultation need to be held accountable.”

Staff received an email last Tuesday saying the university council had respectfully accepted Martin’s resignation, and he would depart that day.

“On behalf of the council and the entire Deakin community, we are very grateful for Iain’s service,” Higgins wrote in the all-staff email.

“We will recognise Iain’s contribution more fully in due course. For now, I thank Iain and wish him well.”

But many at Deakin are still questioning the reasons for Martin’s exit from a job that had a salary package of $1.08 million last year.

Walters said it was unheard of in living memory for a vice chancellor to resign and leave the university that same day.

“There are a lot of members of the university community who would like more information,” he said.

“Why he’s gone is between him and the chancellor, and the community, and I’ll leave it to them to provide details.”

A spokesperson for the university did not respond to questions about whether the vice chancellor’s departure was linked to the proposed job cuts.

Martin could not be contacted for comment.

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