Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic has knocked back a request to intervene in a restructure of Australia's science agency, citing its independence, as the union warns more than 600 jobs could be on the line.
The CSIRO Staff Association, a section of the Community and Public Sector Union, wrote to Mr Husic on Monday, requesting his "support and immediate intervention to save the CSIRO", with negotiations over the cuts dragging out over months.
"Despite our repeated efforts to highlight the critical impact of these changes, job losses continue," the letter, signed by association members, reads.
But a spokesperson for Mr Husic said it would be inappropriate for him to get involved.
"Decisions on staffing and prioritisation of resources are matters for CSIRO management, as is appropriate for any independent agency," they said.
"CSIRO's independence is crucial to protecting the agency's integrity, ensuring the trusted work their scientists undertake can continue to benefit and inform the nation."
The letter marks an escalation of the union's campaign to save jobs, as they attempt to pull the Minister into the ongoing saga.
Months of negotiations over job cuts
In April, CSIRO confirmed it was considering job cuts across several areas, as part of "a need to simplify" operations.
So far it has only confirmed 39 job cuts to its health and biosecurity area, following what a spokesperson called "an extensive consultation period".
But more cuts are forecast, with enterprise services expected to bear the brunt of cuts, following a review finding labour and operating costs in the area must be slashed 25 per cent by July 2025.
The union fears this could see more than 400 jobs slashed, affecting those working in IT, HR, communications, business development, facilities management and finance.
About 30 jobs are expected to be cut from agriculture and food and seven from manufacturing, though consultation is ongoing.
The union also believes about 120 jobs will be lost from Data61, the agency's data and digital research division, and holds concerns that 65 jobs in the environment division are at risk. The agency has not confirmed these figures.
A spokesperson for CSIRO said its research units "continually undertake workforce planning to ensure we have the right scale and scientific capability in place to deliver against national priorities within budget".
"Changes being considered in CSIRO's research units are being undertaken in line with this."
CSIRO section secretary Susan Tonks said the CSIRO "is hurting right now," with a snap poll of members showing a dip in morale.
"It isn't clear to me or the hundreds of CSIRO staff who are losing or having already lost their jobs, how these cuts will benefit our country in tackling the big issues that are ahead of us," Ms Tonks said.
The union says the cuts are senseless as the government rolls out its plans for a Future Made in Australia.
"The CSIRO is national treasure - it's home to world leading science and innovation and it needs to be protected, not gutted."
The agency says its "focus is firmly on ensuring staff are informed, consulted, and supported throughout these changes".
"We have robust processes in place to support this," the CSIRO spokesperson said.
"The wellbeing of our staff is our priority, and we are providing a range of services to our staff to support them through this period.
"We are working to implement these changes with minimal impact on staff, to continue delivering research for the national benefit."
