Unite the union can confirm today (25 April) that hundreds
of Dundee university workers have overwhelmingly
backed strike action in the fight for jobs and the institution's
long-term future.
Unite represents hundreds of workers at the
university in professional services roles including
technicians and student support.
Unite is backing demands for the Scottish government's external
taskforce involving unions and other key stakeholders to
spearhead measures to protect hundreds of livelihoods and
sustain the future of the university.
As part of the initial discussions, the union has welcomed the
removal of an initial threat to workers that they could face
redundancy as the university grapples with a £35m
deficit.
The interim principal Shane O'Neill stated in a recent
letter to the Scottish
parliament that over 700 jobs could be at immediate
risk.
Unite general secretary Sharon
Graham said: “Unite is
totally committed to protecting the livelihoods of hundreds of
our members at Dundee university. Unite will support our
members every step of the way in defence of their
jobs.”
On Tuesday (29 April) following an emergency motion on the crisis
facing Dundee university tabled by Unite at the STUC Annual
Congress, a rally outside the Caird Hall involving trade
unionists, community activists, students and workers will take
place.
A march involving trade unions and students will also assemble at
the university's Tower Building at noon which will then set off
to join STUC delegates for the rally at 12:30 PM outside the
Caird Hall.
Katrina Currie, Unite industrial officer,
said: “Unite welcomes recent steps to remove an
immediate redundancy threat to hundreds of workers. The threat to
our members' jobs however remains very real. We need every tool
in defence of jobs and livelihoods which is why this industrial
action mandate is vital.”
