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U of M unions fear job cuts

Consultant's report finds $36M in savings

By: Nick Martin

Posted: 02/12/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A consultant's number-crunching has led to a pitch to save the University of Manitoba $36 million a year from its operating budget -- and make another $38 million in revenue.But there are plenty of questions surrounding the math of the first phase of ROSE (Resource Optimization and Service Enhancement) report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, now posted on the university's website.

"Morale at the university in all levels is at an all-time low," says Frank Wright, president of Local 3007 of the Canadian Auto Workers.

Wright fears widespread job losses for his members in physical plant, maintenance and custodial jobs.

There could be significant "rationalization" of the 685 administrative support jobs across campus, though the Association of Employees Supporting Education Services has chosen not to comment so far.

"There's not a lot they tell us," Wright says.

ROSE talks about "attendance management strategies" to cut down on excessive absenteeism and sick time. Cleaning and general services should be rationalized, the consultant says. Services could be shared and streamlined across campus.

Unit or department heads could offer staff voluntary unpaid days "to address potential funding reductions."

U of M public affairs director John Danakas says the first phase of ROSE is only a set of recommendations, and none has been, or is about to be, enacted. The March 16 board of governors meeting will set a priority list of possible actions to be examined in the second phase of ROSE.

U of M president David Barnard holds his next town hall March 25, at which he'll field questions.

Meanwhile, the first OAR (Optimizing Academic Resources) report will be filed soon, recommending efficiencies to be found on the academic side.

"I'm as much in the dark as anyone. We can't figure out (potential changes), because there are no details on how these figures would be realized," says Prof. Brad McKenzie, president of the U of M Faculty Association.

ROSE concludes that U of M could save $17.86 to $28.58 million in support functions, while generating $10.7 to $14.2 million in revenue.

The university could save $1.12 million in external relations, while making as much as $12 million more each year, the report adds. And, separately, U of M could save $5 to $7 million a year on research, while making as much as $24 million more annually.

ROSE doesn't divulge how that would be done, McKenzie says. He presumes that any changes in research would affect his members.

ROSE could affect professors if its findings lead to fewer support staff, he adds. "Somebody's got to pick up that work," McKenzie says.

ROSE says the university could charge for parking after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, and increase ancillary fees. It uses one example: charging students in residence for Internet services.

"These small user fees are a drop in the bucket compared to the deficit we're facing" at U of M, says Students Union vice-president external Alanna Makinson.

"These cuts will ultimately hurt students," says Makinson, who adds UMSU wants the federal and provincial governments to fund the university adequately.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 12, 2010 A10

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