University and Trades Union Dialogue on Staffing Changes

15 Oct 2015

In a demonstration of its commitment to on-going dialogue, the University has invited ACAS to act as a conciliator between the University and the campus trades unions in trying to discuss and resolve the substantive issues relating to the alleged breaches of current policies and procedures as well as the failure to agree on proposed changes relating to Statutes and Ordinances going forward

The discussions, which will commence on Monday (19 October 2015) recognise that all parties are seeking to resolve these matters by internal resolution. The meetings with ACAS will focus on trying to resolve the substantive issues relating to what the campus trades unions allege are breaches of the University’s current policies and procedures as well as a failure to agree on proposed changes relating to Statutes and Ordinances. These discussions will involve all three campus trade unions (UCU, Unison and Unite) and their respective full-time Regional Officers.

The University has also offered to hold further discussions with the campus trades unions about the specifics of IT Changes. There have already been nine scheduled meetings as part of the IT Transformation consultation exercise and the five further meetings for specific consultation on the voluntary severance scheme related to the Future IT programme. Notwithstanding this, the University has indicated that it remains willing to engage in ongoing dialogue with all campus trades unions about the future of IT provision at the University, including further explanation of the business case, risk analysis and the engagement and governance process through which the decisions were made and through which future decisions will be made.