Union In ‘Dispute’ Over Proposed Glyndwr University Job Cuts

Union Members are being encouraged to vote in favour of strike action at Glyndwr University as the row over proposed job cuts continues.

Glyndwr UCU (University and College Union) have announced online that they are now in dispute with the University.

In a newsletter published on the Union’s social media accounts, it states: “We are now in dispute! It is time to demonstrate to the Vice Chancellor, the Chair of the Board of Governors, the
Governors and Management just how serious the Branch is in opposing the potential compulsory redundancies.”

The newsletter adds: The Branch Committee urges you to vote yes in the forthcoming ballot in support of industrial action and industrial action short of a strike.”

A ballot will open tomorrow and close on Friday, 13th June.

The announcment comes after the University announced they were looking to axe 60 jobs. Along with this, earlier this year union members unanimously give a vote of ‘no confidence’ in Vice Chancellor Michael Scott.

Back in March around 20 members of staff protested outside the Wrexham campus, holding signs that said ‘Show Us Some Respect’ and ‘Too Little Too Late’.

Prior to the protest, one source told Wrexham.com that a Unison meeting was held yesterday and that ‘Lots of staff have had letters for redundancy, more than expected.”

The source added: “People are being told to walk before they are pushed.”

Within the UCU Newsletter it states: “No one is in a position to predict, with any confidence, whether, or to what extent, the University will be able to teach and manage its academic programmes in 2014-2015 (and, of course, to do this without a decline in quality and standards, student retention, student satisfaction, league table scores, etc.).

“We have been given no assurances by the University on this matter, let alone any evidence on which such assurances would need to be founded. This is not competent, reasonable or effective management.”

A spokesperson for Glyndwr University said: “The University has throughout the consultation process acted in accordance with all its obligations and has kept its employees informed throughout.  It considers the assertion of a dispute made by UCU to be misconceived and is of the view that industrial action in the circumstances would be against the interest of the University, all its employees and most importantly its students.”