87. Managing Change

Preliminary Feedback Process for Change Within Budget Division

87.1 Where a Budget Division is considering changes that may have a significant effect on staff within that Budget Division and which it considers are likely to lead to a formal change proposal, it will provide a draft change proposal (which may include different options under consideration) to staff likely to be directly affected and the Union(s), prior to a formal change proposal as described in clause 87.4. Those staff and Union(s) will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft change proposal and can suggest alternatives. The draft proposal and feedback shall be kept confidential to the staff members involved and the relevant Union(s).

Formal Consultation

87.2 Prior to making a decision to introduce major change(s) in the services it provides (including contracting out), administrative methods or structure, significant changes to the structure of the academic year, organisation, forms of employment or application of technology, which are likely to have significant effects on staff members, the University will consult with staff likely to be affected by a proposed change and the Union(s).

87.3 The University shall discuss with the staff members affected and the Union(s) the introduction of the major change(s) and the effects the changes are likely to have on staff members, and will give prompt consideration to matters raised by the staff members or the Union(s) in relation to the changes.

87.4 In conducting these discussions the University will provide a written formal change proposal to the affected staff members and the Union(s), including all relevant information about the changes such as the nature of the changes proposed, the rationale for the proposed changes, the expected effects of the changes on staff members, and any other matters likely to affect staff members. The period and extent of the consultation will reasonably reflect the nature and scope of the proposed change and will normally involve not less than two weeks of consultation with the relevant staff members and Union(s) on the proposed change.

87.5 A staff member may choose to act through a Representative, in which case the University will also consult, discuss, inform and consider the views of the Representative in accordance with this clause.

87.6 Nothing in this clause constitutes a power of veto over the University’s decision making processes.

87.7 For the purposes of this clause:

1. “significant effects” includes termination of employment, major change in the composition, operation or size of the University's workforce or in the skills required, the elimination or diminution of job opportunities or job tenure, the alteration of hours of work, or the need for retraining or transfer of staff members to other work or locations and the restructuring of jobs.
2. “consultation” includes a bona fide opportunity to influence the decision maker and requires the decision maker to give genuine consideration to, and take into account, the views of staff and Unions and any alternatives proposed during the consultation period. It does not give staff or Unions a right to joint decision making.
3. “Union(s)” means unions who have coverage of the staff referred to.

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88. Consultation on contracting out

88.1 The parties acknowledge that from time to time, the University will review its services and functions, with a view to determining the most efficient and effective means of carrying out those services and functions, in light of appropriate performance standards.

88.2 If, as the result of a review referred to in clause 88.1, the University considers that contracting out the whole or part of a particular service or function may be an appropriate option, and which is likely to have significant effects on staff members, the University will advise staff in this respect in accordance with clause 87.4, with such a report to include costings and statements of required standards of service. The University will also consult with staff with a view to possible alternatives for contracting out the service or function.

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