Gloucestershire University demo
Tensions ran high as lecturers and staff gathered to protest against redundancies at the University of Gloucestershire yesterday.
About 15 people gathered outside the University’s Oxstalls campus in Gloucester with placards and leaflets as bosses met to discuss the fate of the cash-strapped institution.
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University demo
The university needs to save £3 million by the early summer, and although some voluntary and compulsory redundancies have gone ahead, it has been announced more could be on the way.
Kenny Lynch, a 44-year-old geography lecturer, said this was the second time his job had been in danger.
“In June last year, they highlighted a pool of geographers whom they thought were not doing enough to generate income for the university,” he said.
“We were very concerned, and when we looked at the data they were using, we discovered that the figures did not match.
“We were, in fact making more money than was being spent, so we didn’t feel redundancies were appropriate in our department.”
He added that their jobs came under threat again in October, and he feared losing his job as he had two young children.
He said: “Ronan is six and Aiden is two. If I was made redundant, that would be fairly catastrophic for us.”
More than 100 jobs have already gone at the university – the majority of which have been made through voluntary redundancies.
On Monday it was revealed faculties at the university could be merged, which is expected to lead to substantial job losses and a number of courses being axed.
Gwen Chaney, branch chairman of the University and College Union, said: “There are two messages we want to get across. The first is the fact that we would like the management to admit to their mistakes in selecting people for redundancy.
“The second is that we want to move towards a more participatory, transparent approach to decision making, so future mistakes aren’t made.
“The people being selected for redundancy have not been fairly selected because processes have not been properly followed, with only a week of consultation.”
Other cash-saving initiatives at the university have included the proposed closure of the Pittville Campus in Cheltenham and the merging of some faculties.
A potential buyer is also believed to have been found for the university’s London campus.
Paul Drake, director of external relations at the university, said: “The accusation of no consultation is complete nonsense.
“The management is making every effort to consult all staff, including UCU members, to ensure that the academic structure of the future fits with delivery on three sites.” and fully represents the breadth and depth of our current academic portfolio.”
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by DENNIS THE MENACE, Cheltenham
Friday, January 29 2010, 4:57PM
“Oxtalls was only aquired by the University of Gloucestershire because Gloucester politicians felt slighted that they didn't have a university.
They blackmailed the the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire College of Higher Education saying they would not support its attempt to gain university status if there was no campus in Gloucester.
Well now pidgeons have come home to roost. Those Oxstall residents who complained that Tescos might locate there now have Sports Science students instead. Chetenham, St Pauls residents are well aware of what they are like.
Perhaps now the university is in debt, due to an incompetant management those same politicians might consider bailing them out? I suspect not. The university might do well to keep Pittville Campus and close the Sports Science Department. That way they could save money and the community get a good nights sleep.
That same incompetant management need someone to pay for their mistakes, anyone but themselves. It seems lecturers jobs (they are lower down the hierarchy) are the price.”
by John, Glos City
Thursday, January 28 2010, 7:50PM
“What a massive LAND GRAB Opportunity awaits my Friends at Oxstalls College Campus. High-quality DEVELOPMENT land with ample scope whilst friends hold two fingers up at County Council officials. The Best Real Estate OPPORTUNITY Gloucester has yet seen in years. I will enjoy seeing the shock on those petty scheming politician faces as well as an end to disturbance residents have suffered for years.”
by Lecturer with a heavy heart, cheltenham
Thursday, January 28 2010, 4:58PM
“I am very sad that Paul Drake continues to send out misleading statements. It would be far better for everyone if he could just be straight with everyone and treat us like the adults we are. We are in a mess, and the best thing Patricia Broadfoot can do is to realise that she needs everyone on side. To achieve this, she needs to trust the staff and not be scared of telling the truth. If she did this, perhaps we would trust her, and what she says, with some degree of credulity. I wonder if Paul Drake has been briefed to send out these ridiculous messages, or he is acting on his own? Either way, this is not the approach to take. For him to say this process has been transparent is, to say the least, quite incredible, and I despair that an organisation that is meant to be at the forefront of intelligent thought and adult attitudes to the world could treat its staff cohort so childishly.”
by Liam, Cheltenham
Thursday, January 28 2010, 12:41PM
“There were definately more than 15 people there. I was there!
Mr. Drake again seems to be hiding evidence! Staff said they have a "weeks" consultation. Not "no" consultation as Mr. Drake seems to be suggesting their saying.”
by James Lloyd, Tivoli
Thursday, January 28 2010, 12:30PM
“I started my CIPS qualifications with the college in 2006. To be honest it was such a faff of unco-ordinated form filling I decided to study at distance. Easier, cheaper”
by Independent arbitration, Cheltenham
Thursday, January 28 2010, 10:47AM
“Why hasn't ACAS been asked by both sides to arbitrate in these matters? The previous University management 'regime' worked in partnership with its recognised trades unions and with ACAS to set up proper systems for consultation as required by legislation. This followed a time of some turbulence, but commonsense prevailed and the Governing Body 'signed up' to meaningful processes, as the law required. This ensured release of information to the trades unions in a timely manner, full consultation at formative stages and NOT just when plans had been formed, and proper negotiation practices. The rights of individuals to be consulted early were also built into processes based on ACAS advisory codes. As result, the university established a national reputation on its work place practices. Failure to consult with the recognized trades unions is potentially unlawful, and unfair selection for redundancy may lead to claims of unfair dismissal in the tribunals. I can quite understand readers must by now be confused and weary of all this, and it¿s time that independent arbitrators were brought in to bring legal processes back in line.”
by Bored of it all, Gloucester
Thursday, January 28 2010, 9:53AM
“Hmnm 15 lecturers and students out of a community of 10,000 people is barely a protest, it's more of a whimper. I wonder if the rank and file of staff support these protests? Then again, they're probably too busy doing their jobs to stand around with placards all day.”
by Speech, Gloucestershire
Thursday, January 28 2010, 8:36AM
“A university degree is a valuable asset in gaining employment, and study is of personal benefit to those who choose to take degrees. Redundancy and unemployment should be resisted by all for all.”
by Gavin, KIngsway
Thursday, January 28 2010, 8:04AM
“Kenny Lynch worries about the effect on redundancy - welcome to the real world. The problem is that the government set a target that 50% of kids should go to a uni but some of the subjects that they are taking (like Sports Science or Media Studies) are completely useless in the current economic climate.”
by Honestly, Glos.
Thursday, January 28 2010, 8:01AM
“Honestly, no one is naive enough to believe that mergers and restructures can be achieved without loss of jobs and at some considerable cost to the organisation. These developments are in fact expected to lead to substantive job losses and closure of courses. Considering the part the university plays in the local economy, that's fairly catastrophic news. No wonder staff and students are protesting! Typically, however, Mr Drake is yet again attempting to put a positive spin on things, which seems ridiculous, since the article clearly states that staff have not been appropriately consulted. Perhaps Mr Drake should consider joining the protesters next time!”