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31 July 2013

Major AgResearch reorganisation will force tough decisions on staff

The Public Service Association says the massive scale of a planned reorganisation at AgResearch has taken staff by surprise and will force many into a very difficult position.

AgResearch has announced that 280 roles will shift by 2016 as part of a major change in the distribution of resources and infrastructure. It will see 180 roles from Ruakura in Hamilton and 85 from Invermay in Dunedin moved to campuses in either Lincoln or Palmerston North.

“Staff had heard rumblings about the reorganisation but were not quite prepared for the scale of it and the enormity of the decisions that so many people will now be forced to make,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“AgResearch is saying that any job losses as part of this proposal will come through natural attrition over the next few years, but the reality is many people won’t want to move. These are specialised science roles and options are limited. There is a risk that this reorganisation could result in a significant loss of specialist knowledge and skills from the system.”

The PSA says while the changes are planned over several years there will be a long period of uncertainty.

Richard Wagstaff says “it’s a major upheaval which will take people time to get their heads around. We will be working with AgResearch to ensure that every effort is made to accommodate the needs of its staff and that the transition process is undertaken fairly.”

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