Unions at Glyndŵr University have cautiously welcomed the decision from Glyndŵr University to withdraw attacks on terms and conditions and to halt compulsory redundancies.
On 12 February 2014 Glyndŵr University notified UNISON and UCU of potentially 60 compulsory redundancies to achieve ongoing savings of £2m.
The final collective consultation on compulsory redundancies between the university and the representative unions, UCU and UNISON, was held Wednesday 30 April 2014.
The university reported that it did not intend to proceed with its proposed changes to terms and conditions of employment for existing staff, and that it did not intend to make immediate compulsory redundancies. Instead it will open a further round of voluntary severance in order to meet the savings.
The university does intend to proceed with the planned restructuring of academic and operational units ahead of the 2014-15 academic year. Staff who have received ‘at risk’ letters remain ‘at risk’ but no compulsory redundancies will be made until after a further round of voluntary severance has ended, at the earliest.
Kate Wagner, president of the UCU Glyndŵr Branch, said:
“UCU and UNISON cautiously welcome the university’s new position and we will not declare an official dispute at this time.
“However, compulsory redundancies due to restructuring have not yet been ruled out, and we would continue to strongly resist them.”
Geoff Edkins, UNISON regional organiser, added:
“While we are pleased that we have come back from the brink of immediate compulsory redundancies, we will continue to work with the university to ensure its long term future and the long term future of its staff and student.”
A written response to the alternative recovery plan submitted by the unions will be made by the university on 6 May 2014. Although formal collective consultation has now ended, consultation on restructuring will continue.
Meanwhile, individual consultations are ongoing and the unions will continue to offer support in these to their members who request it.
Formal consultation ended on 30 April 2014 but the university and the unions will continue talks on the restructuring with the aim of averting compulsory redundancies.