The restructure was announced to staff last week and will involve 13 technical operation roles being cut from the playout presentation department at the television centre in Canberra.
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It is understood that no on-screen positions will be affected by the cuts.
Staff were originally given 24 hours to consider their options as part of the restructure, which the Community and Public Sector Union labelled as ‘‘frankly callous behaviour’’ from management.
National president Michael Tull said employees were called to a meeting on Tuesday, where they were told they had one day either to apply for new roles or voluntary redundancies.
‘‘It’s just not appropriate to give staff 24 hours to decide their future,’’ Mr Tull said.
‘‘Thankfully, Fair Work agreed with us and forced the company to go back and consult with staff."
Staff were later given one week to consider the restructure, according to Mr Tull, who said ‘‘hopefully Southern Cross Austereo will go about things in a different way in the future as a result’’.
‘‘It’s never easy to see colleagues go, but the technological change that is sweeping through the media industry is driving cuts everywhere,’’ he said.
‘‘If it’s not that then it is revenue pressures and that’s why we would ask the government to keep a very close eye on the media industry as it is not just jobs in regional Australia that is at stake but the region’s identity.’’
A spokeswoman for Southern Cross Austereo said 17 roles would be offered in the new structure, in which 30 jobs will be consolidated.
‘‘Southern Cross Austereo is still communicating and consulting with its staff on the changes,’’ she said.
‘‘No staff have been made redundant. However, Southern Cross Austereo will consider voluntary redundancy in line with the provisions in its collective agreement.’’
The restructure follows downsizing at WIN, which moved its local broadcast to the station’s headquarters in Wollongong in June.
The change was widely criticised by local viewers, including ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher.