Illustration Valerie Geelen This was divulged in an intranet message that was published yesterday at the end of the afternoon. While initially there was only talk of measures such as closing buildings and less fruit for employees, the message now is that the austerity measures will result in the loss of jobs.
The staff departments (including Facilities and Services, CS+ and ESA) have been tasked by the executive board to detail austerity measures. That task is part of the structural reduction of 80 million euros WUR aims to achieve before the end of 2027.
For now, WUR can not provide more details, says spokesperson Jan Willem Bol. ‘During sessions with employees, the Finding Answers Together sessions, many ideas were generated in recent months that can be used to cut costs. The executive board will take a decision on which of these ideas can be implemented and will then present them to the co-determination council and the Supervisory Board. And now, the staff departments face the same challenge.
Bol is aware that this causes people to worry about their jobs. However, there is no answer available yet. ‘We will share more information as it becomes available.’
What a strange communication strategy our EB has. Confused, mixed messaging, giving lip service to standing by staff against the cuts, while at the same time now telling us mysteriously that ‘some people will lost their jobs’. Important that we the university (the staff and students) show up to strike on the 14th April and send a message both to the government and to the Executive Board.