The unions representing academic and professional staff at the University of Wollongong are "glad" management have finally agreed to sit down and talk.
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That's despite the fact management is asking staff to back a pay cut that would reduce job losses, despite a survey showing 62 per cent of staff voted against changes to their work conditions.
Today Vice-Chancellor Paul Wellings said all the details of Option 1 would now be provided to staff representatives for reconsideration.
He said accepting the first option could "save 200 jobs".
Georgine Clarsen, the UOW branch president of the National Tertiary Education Union said it was time to look at better options.
"This survey result clearly shows that staff are united behind the unions' position - a large majority voted for option 3 as their first preference - against the advice of management," Ms Clarsen said.
"We are glad that after three months of asking, management have now agreed to sit down and talk with us.
"Our position remains the same.
"This institution is well-placed to deal with this crisis without massive job losses. - all the public records show this.
"If management wants a united community in a time of crisis then they should work with us to meet the shortfall without major job losses."
Ms Clarsen said there were other options UOW could consider, including the action taken at Western Sydney University.
"At WSU, which is in a similar position, staff and management have come together to agree on much less severe measures. For example, leave reductions and other adjustments that provide enforceable jobs protection measures to staff," she said.
"We have always declared our willingness to engage in meaningful talks.
"We hope that following this very clear survey result that management will now want that too."
Read more: 'Push-poll survey a rort'
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU NSW), which represents professional staff at UOW, also wrote a letter to Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings.
The CPSU outlined its willingness to "discuss a range of cost reduction initiatives to ensure the sustainability and future success of the University, including both employee and non-salary related savings measures".
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
