Staff have lost all confidence in Dundee University management over the cash crisis that is likely to lead to hundreds of redundancies, UNISON Scotland will tell politicians at Holyrood today (Tuesday).
The union for higher education staff will meet with ministers to highlight threats of more than 600 job losses at the university. They will meet with Minister for Higher Education Graeme Day and Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth, to outline serious concerns about the institution’s £35m deficit, which the union blames on poor management.
UNISON Scotland regional organiser Mo Dickson said: “Staff have lost confidence completely in the management team at Dundee University.
“The minister announced another £10m funding for the university last week, but it’s hard to understand why this money would be placed into the hands of the same management team that’s failed the students, the staff, the institution and the people of Dundee.
“Immediate reform is needed under a new leadership team that employees can trust and that will work with unions on a recovery plan for the university.”
UNISON Scotland area organiser Stephen McLellan said: “Hard-working staff are under threat of redundancy, while coping with additional work pressures as a result of multiple unfilled job vacancies.
“The cuts are falling mainly on support staff, including cleaning, security, facilities and IT workers, all of whom are vital to students’ educational experience. These job cuts will have devastating and far-reaching consequences, not only to students but the entire Dundee community.
“The scale of this crisis is on a par with the impact on Grangemouth.
“Students, staff and the whole community of Dundee deserve better.”
Notes to editors
UNISON is Scotland’s largest union, with more than 150,000 members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, social care, police services, water and energy. They are employed in public, voluntary and private sectors.