Unite steps up campaign in defence of jobs at STUC Congress next week

Unite the union can confirm today (25 April) that hundreds of Dundee university workers have overwhelmingly backed strike action in the fight for jobs and the institution’s long-term future. 

Unite represents hundreds of workers at the university in professional services roles including technicians and student support. 

Unite is backing demands for the Scottish government's external taskforce involving unions and other key stakeholders to spearhead measures to protect hundreds of livelihoods and sustain the future of the university.  

As part of the initial discussions, the union has welcomed the removal of an initial threat to workers that they could face redundancy as the university grapples with a £35m deficit.

The interim principal Shane O'Neill stated in a recent letter to the Scottish parliament that over 700 jobs could be at immediate risk. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is totally committed to protecting the livelihoods of hundreds of our members at Dundee university. Unite will support our members every step of the way in defence of their jobs.” 

On Tuesday (29 April) following an emergency motion on the crisis facing Dundee university tabled by Unite at the STUC Annual Congress, a rally outside the Caird Hall involving trade unionists, community activists, students and workers will take place. 

A march involving trade unions and students will also assemble at the university’s Tower Building at noon which will then set off to join STUC delegates for the rally at 12:30 PM outside the Caird Hall. 

Katrina Currie, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite welcomes recent steps to remove an immediate redundancy threat to hundreds of workers. The threat to our members’ jobs however remains very real. We need every tool in defence of jobs and livelihoods which is why this industrial action mandate is vital.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editor  For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922. 

Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson.