UCU discloses ballot details

by Jamie Jubon

The details of the ballot sent out by the University College Union (UCU) to its members regarding strike action has been revealed.

Information provided by the UCU urges members “to vote to support industrial action in defence of jobs at the University of the Arts.”

It goes on to say: “This follows numerous attempts by your union to resolve the issues at the dispute.

"With regret, the University of the Arts London (UAL) UCU Co-ordinating Committee, your Branch Secretaries and the UCU General Secretary all recommend that you Vote Yes to support industrial action in defence of jobs.”

The dispute is over the loss of around 100 academic jobs, with the UCU having been notified of more to come, the union claims.

This is despite the fact that the Rector made a statement in April 2009 where he made it clear that “compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort.”

Management 'pushing redundancies'

“Far from acting to minimise the numbers of jobs lost and avoid compulsory redundancies, management appear to be pushing the number of compulsory redundancies still higher and minimising opportunities for redeployment of staff whose jobs are threatened," the UCU added.

"At the same time, management have refused to negotiate a redundancy procedure and have used its absence to impose unfavourable redundancy terms on academic staff.”

Regarding how the action will hurt students: “The new President and Executive of the Student’s Union support UCU’s campaign to defend art and design education. They will be pressing the University to detail how management will maintain the student experience whilst cutting lecturer’s jobs and courses.”

The UCU will be balloting members until Tuesday and a strike or industrial action will be called in the near future if members vote in favour.

In an email to students, Nigel Carrington, the Rector of UAL said: "The university received formal notification from UCU that it will call a vote of its members for industrial action.

"This follows extensive consultations between the University and recognised trade unions since March 2009 concerning the need for efficiency savings. As with many other UK universities, UAL must manage cost savings across our institution in order to ensure the future economic viability of the University and to move resources to areas focused on enhancing the student experience.

"If UCU members gain a majority vote and take industrial action, this will regrettably lead to the disruption of student learning and access to facilities across the University. There may be a day, or a series of days, when staff taking action will not be undertaking their normal duties."

Carrington also told students that the impact of potential action will affect students differently, depending on their UAL college and course.

Information regarding the university’s ongoing Efficiency Programme is available online here.