Welcome progress for Napier Lecturers in job cuts dispute

Following a dispute over proposed job cuts, including potential compulsory redundancies, at Edinburgh Napier University, EIS-ULA members have now halted their programme of strike action.

The suspension of action follows an agreement between the Edinburgh Napier EIS-ULA branch and the university, who will now work to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies to zero. Talks are continuing at the time of writing, and members will be advised of further developments as soon as possible.

The pressure created by the EIS-ULA through the programme of strike action has been key in securing the agreement with the university to work to avoid compulsory redundancies at Edinburgh Napier.

Craigclowan dispute continues

Members at Craigclowan school, an independent school in Perth and part of the Glenalmond Group, remain in dispute with their employer over detrimental changers to their pensions. Members have been engaged in a programme of strike action in that school in protest at the changes, and the EIS remains committed to securing a fair, negotiated outcome for members in the school.

The school, however, remains obstinate in its refusal to engage in meaningful discussions with its teachers, through the EIS, to secure an end to the dispute. Although strike action is currently on hold for technical reasons, the EIS branch at the school recently held a meeting to discuss the next steps in the campaign to protect the pensions of members at the school.

City of Glasgow College lecturers commence strike action in H&S dispute

EIS-FELA members at City of Glasgow College, Riverside Campus, have commenced a programme of strike action over serious Health & Safety Concerns including exposure to carcinogenic fumes from welding.

The EIS-FELA branch lodged a dispute with the college in November due to fears that lecturers and students were being exposed to carcinogenic fumes during welding without an adequate risk assessment or protective equipment.

EIS-FELA was left with no other option but to take strike action primarily due to the College’s refusal to adequately address the H&S concerns that had been raised. The EIS wishes to see a college-wide review of Health and Safety arrangements to reassure lecturing staff and students that Health and Safety standards are as safe as possible.

Glasgow Caledonian University

EIS-ULA is currently consulting with members at Glasgow Caledonian University over potential industrial action in opposition to proposed compulsory redundancies amongst academic staff at the university.

The university is currently proposing up to 100 job cuts to address an anticipated financial deficit, including the prospect of compulsory redundancies if a voluntary scheme does not achieve the desired financial savings.

As a result, EIS-ULA is now running a consultation amongst its members at GCU, to gauge their willingness to take industrial action, including potential strike action, in opposition to any job cuts through compulsory redundancy.