Massey proposal to cut 178 jobs is “horrific”

Vice chancellor Jan Thomas is planning to cut 178 jobs. Photo / Serious Eats 

Massey proposes to cut 178 jobs across all colleges and campuses after already cutting 28 last year.  

The proposed change aims to make more efficiencies in the University and cut costs. The job cuts will affect academic admin and finance business partnering staff across all colleges.  

Tertiary Education Union organiser, Ben Schmidt was appalled by the proposed change, “Cutting jobs and subjecting people to this horrific process is absolutely the wrong way to go. It is unnecessary.” 

178 roles will be disestablished, 31 of which are currently vacant. 144 new roles will be established and open to the job market.  

Schmidt called out Massey vice chancellor Jan Thomas, saying, “What the vice chancellor needs to do is actually stop cutting jobs, listen to her staff, invest in supporting them.  

“If she wants to see more efficiencies, she needs to actually talk to staff members about this and ensure they have secure work, ensure that they are fully staffed and resourced to focus on the future of the university.” 

Schmidt said union members are already doing essential work in a very understaffed university, “Members are concerned, they are angry, they are disappointed. This is not the way to go.” 

“Members need secure work, proper staffing, to be listened to. That is what will take the university forts, not cutting jobs and reducing staffing.” 

A Massey University spokesperson said, “As the university continues to work towards a more financially sustainable future, we need to identify improvements so that we work more efficiently and effectively.” 

“Like all other New Zealand universities, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University must continue to find ways to use taxpayer money wisely”.  

The spokesperson said a final decision would not be made on the proposal until all feedback had been considered.  

They said if the change moves to an implementation stage, all staff whose positions are disestablished would be encouraged to apply for any of the 144 new positions.

The Tertiary Education Union sent an open letter to vice chancellor Jan Thomas asking her to stop cutting jobs.  

The letter said, “Your proposal ignores and undervalues the work of administration and finance staff who are essential to the functioning of the University, while continuing to further harm morale.” 

The letter highlighted that job cuts would be a loss of Massey staff's unique knowledge, skills and experience. 

The letter said, “Massey University is facing a crisis of understaffing and overwork, impacting on the health, safety, and wellbeing of many staff – this is the crisis we need you to address now.”

Schmidt said the union had not yet received a response to the open letter.  

Student association Te Tira Ahu Pae general president, Jake Law said the job cuts were “a loss of the knowledge and expertise that has been gathered”.  

He said, “It’s a difficult time to be a student or staff member at Massey.” 

A final decision was set to be made in June after deliberation.