University of Ulster staff vote for strike
action
22 May 2008
Unite members at the University of Ulster have voted to strike
as staff face having their pay cut by up to £5,000.
Unite the union members overwhelmingly voted in favour of
industrial action with 71% voting to take strike action in response
to the university’s failure to address serious flaws in a recently
implemented Job Evaluation Scheme.
The outcome of the scheme has been ignored by the university
with members of staff either having to undertake increased levels
of responsibility or have their pay reduced.
Steve Tweed, Unite Regional Officer, says: "The Job Evaluation
Scheme was not implemented in a fair and consistent manner which
has seen large numbers of our members facing pay cuts of up to
£5,000. This is at a time when the Vice Chancellor, Professor
Richard Barnett, has been awarded a 25% increase in pay."
Unite has sought to engage with the University over a protracted
period of time without success. The Vice Chancellor has refused to
meet with Unite or even respond directly to correspondence.
Mr Tweed continued: "It is an unfortunate state of affairs when
our members are forced to take industrial action to ensure the pay
and grading system is implemented in a fair and transparent manner
while the university receives public funding for Rewarding and
Developing staff. In this matter it has clearly failed and we would
ask that the Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir. Reg Empey,
investigates just how that funding has been allocated."
Unite the union is again seeking an urgent meeting with the Vice
Chancellor. If he continues to refuse to meet with union officials,
Unite members will have no alternative but to commence a programme
of industrial action at all campuses within the University of
Ulster.
-Ends-
For further information contact
Steve Tweed, Regional Officer 07768 931268
Jody Whitehill, Press Officer 07768 693856 or 020 7420 8938
