Queens University in Belfast is for the first time ever attempting to make staff compulsorily redundant. Following a meeting with UCU, these plans were dropped from the proposal to be tabled at a later date.
For the first time ever, Queens University is attempting to introduce compulsory redundancies for staff. Normally, voluntary means are used to resolve staffing issues, but Queens senior-management were attempting to rush-through the compulsory redundancy plan tomorrow at Standing Committee meeting. Currently, three members of Information Systems staff at the university are known to be directly affected by the planned introduction of the compulsory redundancies.
The University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working at Queens had scheduled a protest at the proposed measures for tomorrow morning (Thursday 5th June), and stated:
"Queen's UCU believe this is the thin end of the wedge and, if successful, will be used for compulsory redundancies across the University. Therefore, nobody, including YOU, will be safe! Come and support your three colleagues from Information Systems whom the University is trying to dismiss!"
However, the scheduled protest was called-off following a meeting with UCU representatives yesterday, when university senior management dropped the redundancy proposal from tomorrow's meeting, and will table it for next month's meeting of the standing committee. In a communication with UCU members today, the union said:
"The issue will be put before a special meeting of Standing Committee later in the month. Meanwhile, further discussions will take place with management. Tomorrow's demonstration is thus postponed but we will be staging a demonstration outside any rescheduled meeting. We will notify you in due course."
