LA TROBE University remains committed to the Jobs Protection Framework, despite a group of the university's staff voting against the scheme earlier this week.
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National Tertiary Education Union members at a La Trobe branch meeting on Wednesday voted against the framework.
NTEU national president Alison Barnes said the framework could save about 12,000 jobs nationally.
The framework would mean some staff members would take pay cuts for one year, and redundancies would only happen in cases where a university could explicitly prove there was no work.
"I strongly believe the Australian Universities Job Protection Framework - a temporary variation to our enterprise agreement - is critical in mitigating large-scale job losses as we face the huge financial impact of COVID-19," La Trobe Vice-Chancellor John Dewar told staff in an email.
"In 2020 alone, the framework, subject to a staff vote, could deliver savings in the region of $30 million - the financial equivalent of about 200 jobs."
The framework was put to about 250 La Trobe NTEU members at the meeting on Wednesday, where the motion to carry the framework was defeated.
The NTEU will now take the framework to all union members at La Trobe for a ballot vote.
"(Wednesday's) vote was non-binding and comprised local NTEU members," a La Trobe spokesperson said. "The NTEU local branch will hold a formal ballot for its members next week.
"This is separate to the vote on the Australian Universities Job Protection Framework by all La Trobe staff which will take place soon after."
La Trobe's support for the framework comes as the university plans to reintroduce some face-to-face classes from semester two.
Professor Dewar said most classes would remain online, although courses with essential practical elements could move to face-to-face learning.
"We are working hard to organise COVID-safe spaces for face-to-face teaching in semester two to maximise the opportunities for students to undertake these essential activities," he said.
"Those subjects with approval for face-to-face activity will have some components such as lectures that will need to continue online.
"I want to stress that where face-to-face activities are delivered in semester two, all teaching will comply with strict physical distancing requirements and all teaching spaces will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with COVID-safe hygiene requirements.
"Off-campus learning activities such as placements and field trips will continue following all the necessary health and safety guidelines.
"The safety of our students and staff has been our top priority throughout this crisis."
The university will notify students in the coming weeks of the full list of subjects that include essential face-to-face learning.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
