THE UNIVERSITY of Wales, Trinity St David has written to all teaching and support members of staff asking them to consider voluntary redundancy.
Trade Union UNISON claims that the University seeks a 10% staff cut and that compulsory redundancies could follow if insufficient numbers volunteer.
UNISON’s Hugh McDyer said: “We know there are big changes ahead at the university and a likely merger of sites. We’ll work with them to identify savings if they need to be made but that should not be at the cost of frontline workers. An obvious start would be to stop recruiting highly paid management staff.
“Over the last few years more senior managers have been recruited on lucrative contracts leaving fewer staff to teach and support students. Many support staff earn near to the minimum wage and zero hours contracts and agency work are still common practice.
UNISON’s Simon Dunn said: “We recognise the financial challenges being faced by a number of universities in Wales, with the recent news of significant job losses in the University of South Wales.
“Given the economic value of higher education to Wales and local communities, we call on Welsh Government to consider how universities are responding to these challenges, and whether some form of intervention is necessary.”
A spokesperson for the University said: “As part of its normal ongoing business practice the University regularly reviews its staffing costs in line with sector benchmarks. The University’s current staffing costs are above sector benchmark comparisons and therefore a review of staffing levels across all Academic and Professional units is being undertaken.
“To this end, the University has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme with the aim of reducing staffing costs as a percentage of turnover, and has met recently with recognised Trades Unions to appraise them of the situation. The process is likely to continue over the next few weeks.”
Full story in next week’s Herald.
Add Comment