Staff at Glasgow Caledonian University are to strike next week in a dispute over redundancies as the new academic year begins, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
Professional services staff such as IT teams, security and admin workers will walk out next Friday (4 September) for a week, following an overwhelming vote for industrial action.
The move follows the announcement in March of restructuring plans, which UNISON says put up to 100 jobs at risk through compulsory redundancies.
The strikes are likely to have a significant impact on student services with registration, issuing of ID cards, timetables and accommodation being affected at the busiest time of the year, says UNISON.
IT and library services will also be put under pressure with thousands of students returning after the summer break, in addition to the influx of freshers.
UNISON Glasgow Caledonian University branch secretary Davena Rankin said:
“Compulsory redundancies are completely unnecessary when the university is sitting on more than £90m in the bank.
“Management claims finances are squeezed, but somehow found £4.5m to buy land. That doesn’t sit well with threatening the livelihoods of frontline workers who keep this campus running.
“Strike action is always a last resort, especially during the busiest time of the year. The last thing staff want to do is cause disruption to students who are finding their feet, but they feel forced to take a stand against these reckless cuts.
“Axing up to 100 jobs will severely damage student support systems and create needless anxiety for the dedicated workforce. The university must stop hoarding cash and buying up land, and instead start investing in the education and welfare of its students.”
UNISON Scotland regional organiser Janet Stewart said: “The Scottish government must intervene to help settle this matter. Staff need a guarantee there’ll be no compulsory redundancies. They currently face huge uncertainty and stress.
“Workers would rather not strike, but with their jobs under threat, they feel they’ve no choice. There’s still time to get back to the negotiating table and settle this dispute.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON represents professional services staff at Glasgow Caledonian University including IT, admin and security workers.
– 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 the public, voluntary and private sectors.