University unions oppose jobs cuts and outsourcing

Unions at University of Manchester oppose jobs cuts and outsourcing

Attacks on jobs, union rights, conditions of employment and provision of services are all being drastically escalated at the University of Manchester.

37 compulsory redundancies were announced in April as management reneged on previous promises and effectively tore up the existing procedure on redeployment of those at risk of redundancy. Even the last vice-chancellor didn’t go this far.

Last week it was announced that management were looking for 68 redundancies in I.T. as part of their “vision” for services, putting 219 staff at risk. The threat of compulsory redundancies was put forward to encourage staff to think about the future and step forward for “voluntary” redundancy. The joint unions have been sidelined and treated with contempt.

Management admit that they intend to privatise IT services, which will undoubtedly be done at the expense of staff and students. Huge restructures by management of the workforce are impending, and further privatisation will follow, possibly even of the renowned university library.

The University and College Union (UCU) is calling on management to withdraw the attacks and negotiate meaningfully, but rightly is mobilising members to mass meetings and preparing for action should management not respond accordingly.

Socialist Party members in the campus trade unions and among Socialist Students support the campus unions taking decisive industrial action to beat management back, and will mobilise support among students and staff.

A UCU member at UoM