"Strike action is always a last resort": Glasgow Caledonian staff walk out as 100 jobs face the axe
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Glasgow Caledonian University staff are set to go on strike over compulsory redundancy fears
Staff at Glasgow Caledonian University are to go on strike tomorrow (Thursday, September 17). It comes after officials from UNISON said talks aimed at resolving disputes concerning compulsory redundancies failed.
The one-day strike action by Glasgow Caledonian will affect support staff, including workers in IT, security, catering, and student welfare.
The union, which represents GCU support staff, agreed to suspend planned industrial action earlier this month to allow negotiations to continue through arbitration organisation Acas to find a resolution.
Around 100 jobs are at risk at the university, which reported a £33m loss of income over two years in March. UNISON said Professor Mairi Watson, the university’s principal, did not attend the talks, a move the union called “disappointing”.
UNISON Glasgow Caledonian University branch secretary Davena Rankin called the talks a “missed opportunity” to resolve this dispute and avoid industrial action.
She continued: “Strike action is always a last resort. We know how difficult this will be for students and colleagues, but we also know the devastating impact these redundancies could have on students and services if they go ahead.
“The university must recognise the strength of feeling in its workforce, reconsider compulsory redundancies and work with staff to find a fairer way forward. The union is committed to finding a resolution to this dispute.”
UNISON Scotland regional manager Simon Macfarlane called on the university to take compulsory redundancies off the table.
He said: “These experienced staff play a crucial role in keeping the university running and supporting students.
"Losing up to 100 jobs would put even more pressure on those who remain and damage the services students depend on.
“Workers want to get back to their jobs, rather than standing on a picket line. But the university must value their contribution, protect the vital services they provide and give them some security over their livelihoods.
"The university must take compulsory redundancies off the table.”
A spokesperson for the University said that the “door remains open” for further talks with union representatives, but that “difficult decisions” must be made to ensure that the university remains on a “sound financial footing”.
They said: “We are disappointed that Unison's members have voted to strike. If we are to continue to deliver for our students, we must remain on a sound financial footing, which unfortunately means making difficult decisions now.
“Our door remains open and we are willing to continue discussions with the trade unions where there is a realistic prospect of resolving the dispute. In the meantime, we are putting plans in place to minimise disruption to students.”