UCU (the University and College
Union – the main union for lecturers) and UNISON are battling to save London
Metropolitan University from management plans to cut at least 330 jobs. ‘Times
Higher Education’ puts it higher, estimating it “could mean up to 500
individuals (between one in seven and one in five of the current staff)" lose
their jobs(22.01.09)
Managers are also calling for
voluntary redundancies. They are trying to rush these through by July. Imagine
the effect this will have on education at London Met. The terms on offer are
not good. This is the fourth scheme in operation in four years, so morale at
work is at rock bottom. London Met management has acquired a reputation for
stress and bullying.
London Met has recently had a cut of
£18 million in its teaching budget. We remember that managers at London
Metropolitan, previously attempted to de-recognise the union in 2007. They have
form as union busters. Just to show they haven’t changed, management is trying
to discipline Amanda Sackur for speaking at Nottingham Trent University,
another troubled higher education institution. Amanda is an UCU NEC member.
Speaking to the members is her job!
UCU at London Met declares. “The
proposed programme of job cuts would throw the entire future of the university
into doubt at a time when education and training are seen to be vital to the
capital’s economic health, as well as further undermining efforts to widen
participation in London’s higher education institutions.”
The reason for the crisis is that the Higher Education Funding Council for England
alleges that London Met management has in the past filed inaccurate returns on student completion rates. For this reason HEFCE has declared that it intends to ‘claw back’ £38 million in past funding.
The dispute seems to be a result of management incompetence. It is certainly no
fault of the lecturing and ancillary staff. Yet it is they who management
proposes will bear the brunt of the cuts.
This is what UCU are campaigning for:
- a fresh start for London Met – including a thorough and independent review of
current governance - open the books
– a thorough investigation into the current financial crisis - seek sustained funding
- no redundancies
- no deterioration of
terms and conditions or workloads - no victimisation of union members.
On
Wednesday 28th January the
Governors of London Metropolitan will be meeting at the Tower Building,
Holloway Rd. UCU and UNISON are planning a joint mass lobby of the governors from
4pm. Socialist Appeal urges you to show your support if you can.
