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Lecturers' union expects job cuts | Lecturers' union expects job cuts |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A university is expected to make at least two lecturers redundant at a meeting this morning, a union claims. | A university is expected to make at least two lecturers redundant at a meeting this morning, a union claims. |
Lampeter University is facing a significant increase in next year's pay costs and has to make cuts. | Lampeter University is facing a significant increase in next year's pay costs and has to make cuts. |
But the University and College Union (UCU) said it would call a strike if compulsory redundancies were made. | But the University and College Union (UCU) said it would call a strike if compulsory redundancies were made. |
The university said the union had refused "constructive" talks and said it faced "some very difficult economic decisions". | The university said the union had refused "constructive" talks and said it faced "some very difficult economic decisions". |
Some staff have already agreed to take voluntary redundancy, but many are unhappy with the way the entire situation has been handled. | Some staff have already agreed to take voluntary redundancy, but many are unhappy with the way the entire situation has been handled. |
Last month, up to 25 placard-waving lecturers staged a protest over the planned job cuts. | Last month, up to 25 placard-waving lecturers staged a protest over the planned job cuts. |
What sort of signal does this send out to potential students and staff? Barry Johnson of the University and College Union | |
But the employment issue is one of a number of problems facing university leaders. | But the employment issue is one of a number of problems facing university leaders. |
The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) recently called in consultants to carry out a study at the university. | The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) recently called in consultants to carry out a study at the university. |
Among the topics covered in a subsequent confidential report, which is unlikely to be made public, was a review of the university's management capability and its options for "future development". | Among the topics covered in a subsequent confidential report, which is unlikely to be made public, was a review of the university's management capability and its options for "future development". |
The HEFCW said it was responsible for more than £6m (53%) of the university's funding. | The HEFCW said it was responsible for more than £6m (53%) of the university's funding. |
Meanwhile, the UCU's Barry Johnson said he understood Lampeter's vice-chancellor Robert Pearce was on sick leave and a colleague was now in charge. The university has been asked to comment. | Meanwhile, the UCU's Barry Johnson said he understood Lampeter's vice-chancellor Robert Pearce was on sick leave and a colleague was now in charge. The university has been asked to comment. |
Mr Johnson added: "As far as I am aware, the university plans to make two academic staff redundant at the meeting. | Mr Johnson added: "As far as I am aware, the university plans to make two academic staff redundant at the meeting. |
"If either of staff are made redundant we will ballot staff for strike action on 26 September. | "If either of staff are made redundant we will ballot staff for strike action on 26 September. |
"The university authorities have made a bit of a mess of this. That's why the HEFCW got its consultants involved. | "The university authorities have made a bit of a mess of this. That's why the HEFCW got its consultants involved. |
"Having created a mess in the first place, they risk causing further damage by making people redundant. What sort of signal does this send out to potential students and staff?" | "Having created a mess in the first place, they risk causing further damage by making people redundant. What sort of signal does this send out to potential students and staff?" |
'Best interests' | 'Best interests' |
The university responded by accusing the UCU of refusing to "enter into constructive negotiations". | The university responded by accusing the UCU of refusing to "enter into constructive negotiations". |
A spokeswoman added: "We continue to act in the collective best interests of the University of Wales Lampeter (UWL) to safeguard its short and long-term financial viability. | A spokeswoman added: "We continue to act in the collective best interests of the University of Wales Lampeter (UWL) to safeguard its short and long-term financial viability. |
"As a result, we are facing some very difficult economic decisions. | "As a result, we are facing some very difficult economic decisions. |
"We are disappointed with the University and College Union's ongoing refusal to enter into constructive negotiations with us and with their intended ballot for strike action - which only serves to potentially damage the reputation of UWL." | "We are disappointed with the University and College Union's ongoing refusal to enter into constructive negotiations with us and with their intended ballot for strike action - which only serves to potentially damage the reputation of UWL." |
Last month, the university said it was "unable to comment" about the "draft and confidential" HEFCW report. | Last month, the university said it was "unable to comment" about the "draft and confidential" HEFCW report. |
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