Uni asks contractors to work without pay

Auckland University has asked contract staff on a foundation course to work without pay, as it tries to slash costs because of the pandemic.

Staff running the New Start programme, a second-chance university preparation course for adults who didn’t get University Entrance at school, have received emails saying they can either work for nothing for the second half of this year or resign.

“Covid-19 has changed our world and impact of the fallout requires us to rethink our future,” the email says.

“Messages from our ViceChancellor indicate a new ‘norm’ will emerge as the university makes plans and decisions about what this may look like.

“New Start has been asked to investigate ways to reduce costs and make savings. Unfortunately, one of these ways is to reduce staff costs.

“From Semester Two onward we are asking staff who teach on New Start General NSGEN 47 to continue teaching without remuneration (if this applies). This was not an easy decision, but a necessity given our current situation which is beyond our control . . . if you wish to withdraw your services we will understand.”

Staff have been asked to respond by May 4.

The New Start programme is aimed at adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. Student numbers vary between about 50 and 100 from year to year and a majority are Ma¯ori and Pasifika.

University communications manager Lisa Finucane said most lecturers are academics with fulltime salaries who “have been paid on top of that for their guest lectures as part of the New Start programme”.

This week Victoria University asked its staff to consider moving to a four-day week or accept staff reductions. Lincoln University has asked its staff to take a 5 per cent pay cut.