Union demands a say in reforms

Academic staff are threatening to boycott the transfer of university degrees to New Zealand's qualifications framework unless they are involved in the administrative structure.

The Association of University Staff is angry it is not represented on any of the new organisations being set up under the framework.

There is one staff representative appointed by Lockwood Smith, the education minister. The association was informed after the appointment, a move it describes as arrogant.

In a letter to Dr Smith, the AUS said it had confidence in the appointee, but failed to understand why Dr Smith had not discussed the appointment with the AUS.

"Unless representation of staff associations is included in these bodies, we will be unwilling to recommend to members that they co-operate with the process of integrating university degrees on to the qualifications framework," the AUS letter said.

The union also supported criticism by vice chancellors of the new committee responsible for approving degrees for registration.

It was concerned at lack of information on cash available for the committee and the potential threat to university autonomy.