The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has declined the National Tertiary Education Union's  (NTEU) request to order Central Queensland University (CQU) to provide 3 months' further work to 34 fixed-term staff whose contracts expired on Saturday 30 June.

In its decision, the Commission said that the "contracts [were] not of a continuing nature" and that there was no way of determining if the fixed-term contracts would have lapsed irrespective of any additional consultation sought by the NTEU. Central Queensland University announced in May that it would seek savings and efficiencies in operating costs, including staff costs, due to a decrease in enrolments across the University.

"The Commission did suggest that CQU should have consulted with staff prior to deciding not to renew the fixed-term contracts and, although CQU did engage in extensive consultation before it implemented its decision, we take that on-board," said Deputy Vice Chancellor Angela Delves. CQU started its consultations with staff on May 15, six weeks before contracts were due to expire. Further consultations start this week, 12 weeks before additional contracts are due to expire on 30 September.

"The NTEU was hoping that the Commission would somehow invalidate CQU's determination to make costs savings and the Commission did not give them that," explained Professor Delves.

CQU entered arbitration with the Industrial Relations Commission on Friday 29 June regarding claims made by the National Tertiary Education Union that the University had not fully consulted with individuals whose fixed-term employment contracts with CQU were due to expire on 30 June.

"CQU's financial situation remains the same and we do not want anyone to have any false expectation here. The facts are that fixed-term contracts come to an end and we need to operate more efficiently and rely more on full-time staff employees to deliver the services and programs required in our community," added Professor Delves.

The University plans to significantly reduce the number of individuals working on fixed-term contracts by the end of 2007. It has embarked on a 2-year $40-million university-wide cost-saving plan to adjust to the changing patterns of international and domestic student enrolments. The University will continue to consult with staff and their representatives before finalising any decisions about these plans.

Central Queensland University communicates transparently, frequently and in good faith with its staff through numerous channels including CQU's Staff Consultative Committee (which includes six staff representatives elected by their colleagues), staff representation on CQU Council, directly with individuals and through union representation.

On June 1^st CQU extended a comprehensive program which supports continued employment outside of CQU for people whose contracts are due to expire this year. The University will continue to review its operations and make adjustments that are appropriate to ensure the University's long-term viability and engagement with the community.