UCU Statement:

QMU is cutting staff due to the financial situation. Several staff are facing compulsory redundancy. Others have left voluntarily, under threat of redundancy, and are not being replaced. The staff that are remaining risk having their workload increased and research time cut, which will erode the quality of teaching and student support, as well as the working conditions for staff.

The QMU branch of University and College Union (UCU) opposes these damaging staffing cuts and are in dispute with the university. UCU negotiators are trying to prevent compulsory redundancies and staff cuts, and to protect research time. 92% of UCU members voted to go on strike.

Strikes work when they threaten to disrupt the employer, and therefore forces them to negotiate concessions. That is why we have voted to go on strike on graduation days. Students who are graduating will know that they and their lecturers and support staff have worked hard for their achievement. The university wants to axe the jobs of the staff who have taught and supported the students who are now graduating. 

We congratulate graduates  on their achievement, and ask that you support your lecturers and support staff whose jobs and working conditions are at risik. We hope that QMU's management will agree to concessions, stop the compulsory redundancies and mitigate the impacts of the staffing cuts, so that we will be able to call off the graduation strikes.

 

 

 

QMU Statement:

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming graduation. Along with the University Court, Senate and Senior Leadership Team, I very much look forward to celebrating your success at the Graduation Ceremonies on 6 and 7 July.

I am writing to let you know that we have been informed by the UCU trade union that they are asking their members at QMU to take strike action on 6 and 7 July. While we are disappointed that the UCU is calling on its members to take action on the dates of our graduation ceremonies, we do recognise their right to take action and - importantly - can assure you that this should not affect your graduation experience in any significant way, Indeed I am confident that any striking staff would themselves want to ensure that you can still enjoy your day to the full.

The UCU’s call for industrial action arises out of the ongoing and carefully considered programme of work to protect the long-term financial sustainability of the University that I wrote to you about on 22 April. Rest assured that we are committed to meaningful engagement with our trade union representatives.

Once again, congratulations on your award.

 

Sir Paul Grice, FRSE, FAcSS

Principal and Vice-Chancellor