Dissent mounting over CSIRO staff cuts

Call to Science Minister Christopher
 Pyne to halt cuts at CSIRO

Dissent within the ranks of CSIRO is mounting, with the staff union claiming the planned job cuts are deeper than formally announced while dozens of scientists have lodged a formal complaint against alleged bullying behaviour by chief executive Dr Larry Marshall.

The CSIRO plans to cut 100 more staff than the 350 job losses formally announced in February, says the CSIRO Staff Association, citing information subsequently provided by executives.

"The 450 potential job losses comprise of 100 in Land and Water, 100 in Oceans and Atmosphere, 70 in Data61, 40 in Agriculture, 40 in Manufacturing, 40 in Mineral Resources, 20 in Food and Nutrition and 40 in Research Support," Sam Popovski, the association's secretary, said in a statement.

The union has also written to Science Minister Christopher Pyne, calling on him to suspend the cuts and begin an independent inquiry into CSIRO's management structure and processes.

Read Peter Hannam’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “CSIRO cuts: Union claims jobs cut swells to 450 as formal complaints lodged.”

'Staggering attack of politcal vandalism' - Nadine Flood

CPSU national secretary, Nadine Flood -
'staggering attack of political vandalism'.

The CPSU and CSIRO Staff Association have condemned the Government over the mass axing of 350 more scientists, slashing Australia’s capacity to predict and adapt to climate change.

Today’s announcement of the wholesale job cuts over the next two years, mainly in the CSIRO’s Oceans and Atmosphere and Land and Water divisions, is just the latest body blow by the Government to Australia’s premier science organisation.

CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said: “This staggering attack on staggering attack is an act of political vandalism, pure and simple, and if the Government doesn’t back down on this it’s ordinary Australians who will ultimately pay the price.”

Read what the CSIRO staff association has to say - “CSIRO cuts a body blow to Australian science.”