Scottish university warned by union body chief not to use staff as 'cannon-fodder'

DUNDEE University’s proposal to cut staff jobs has been called “utterly scandalous” by the head of Scotland's leading trade union body. 

Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), warned that employees at the university shouldn’t be used as “cannon-fodder” for the “failings” of the institute’s management.

Earlier this month bosses at the university revealed they would cut 632 jobs from its 3000-strong workforce in a bid to plug a £35 million financial deficit. 

Principal Professor Shane O’Neill warned MSPs the institution could run out of funding by June this year without any support.  

Foyer (below) told The Courier that those in charge at Dundee University must be held accountable for the financial failings of the institute.  

(Image: Newsquest)

“It’s utterly scandalous what has been allowed to unfold,” she said. 

“Those who are responsible for overseeing the potential demise of the institution must be held to account. 

“Workers shouldn’t be used as cannon-fodder for the failings of management. 

 “Why is it, time after time, it’s workers on the ground who pay with their jobs rather than those who are at fault for running up a staggering £35m deficit? 

“Every union will be opposing these cuts to jobs and management should be on notice for the opposition that is about to come.” 

Staff at the university began 15 days of strike action last month over management’s failure to rule out compulsory job losses. 

O’Neill admitted serious errors were made and that the understanding of the institution’s financial picture was insufficient, adding insolvency was a “real possibility” for the university. 

Foyer added: “Simply put: Dundee University cannot fail. 

“The potential failure of an institution, especially one as world leading as Dundee University, risks shaming the nation.” 

The Scottish Funding Council, responsible for directing higher education spending, gave the institution a £22m loan earlier this week. 

The funding comes after the Scottish Government announced an additional £25m was being made available to help the higher education sector.