Opponents of plans to privatise the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) met this week to consider the next steps in their campaign to halt moves that would see the Lancashire institution change into a private company.
More than 120 people braved the weather to attend, and speakers included UNISON North West regional secretary Kevan Nelson, as well as the University and College Union’s head of higher education, Michael MacNeil, and the TUC regional secretary, Lynn Collins.
The meeting revealed the continued distrust of the vice chancellor’s assurances that there was no intention to privatise the university and that the university would take no action that jeopardised the current terms and conditions of staff.
UNISON and UCU believe that the proposed change in status from a corporation to a company limited by guarantee is a preparatory step to restructuring the university to allow it to become a for-profit organisation.
As such, the unions both believe that it should be strongly resisted.
Hundreds of protestors have already signed a petition opposing the plans to divide the university into separate businesses, and UNISON and UCU are considering the declaration of a joint collective dispute and ways of further publicising their concerns.
