University of Dundee facing more staff strikes after unison says members will be balloted
It follows a vote by staff with Unison to take industrial action
More staff at Dundee University could strike in a row about job cuts.
IT, admin, cleaning, security and facilities workers with Unison will be balloted on action.
In November, an email was sent by the then principal, Prof Iain Gillespie, warning staff job losses were “inevitable” and that it was facing a potential £30m deficit.
It follows a vote by members of the University and College Union to strike from next Monday.
Unison Scotland regional organiser Mo Dickson said: “This is a terrible time for university staff and their families.
“They still are none the wiser as to what’s going on and haven’t received any assurances jobs won’t be cut.
“Employees are trying to find out how Dundee university has ended up with a £30m deficit.
“All staff hear are rumours, the facts are in short supply.
“And all the while they’re having to cope with additional work pressures as a result of numerous unfilled job vacancies.
“It’s a stressful environment and morale is at an all-time low.”
A University of Dundee spokesperson said: “The move by Unison to ballot for strike before we have presented a recovery plan is, in our view, a premature action and one which, if followed by a strike, will have a detrimental impact on our students and on our efforts to move towards a more sustainable future for the University.
“We want to work constructively with the unions on building that more sustainable future.
“We have engaged in good faith in almost weekly consultation meetings throughout this crisis and subsequently in dispute resolution meetings.”
Rayo Premium