Latest news with #UniversityOfTheWestOfScotland
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University staff ballot on strike action over job cuts
Higher education staff could be set to walk out on strike in a dispute over job cuts. Workers at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are taking part in a ballot for industrial action after university senior management refused to rule out compulsory redundancies. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at UWS are being asked if they are prepared to take part in strike action and action short of strike. Action short of strike could include working to contract and not covering for any absent colleagues. The ballot will run until 14 August. The ballot follows the announcement in January this year of cuts by the university's senior management of £16.9 million. Since then, £8 million has already been cut with the loss of over 112 staff positions. Despite those staff having already left and savings already having been made, senior managers are pressing ahead with plans to cut another 75 jobs and are refusing unions' demands to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies. 'The principal and senior managers need to change course' - Jo Grady (Image: NQ) The union said that cuts at this scale and the loss of so many jobs in such a short space of time will be devastating both to the remaining staff and to the students at the university. As well as the impact on staff being put out of work at a time when jobs are being lost across the higher education sector, the cuts will result in higher workload on the already hard-pressed staff who remain. UCU UWS branch president, Jamie Hopkin , said: 'Management at UWS are pressing on with detrimental plans to make staff redundant that will do nothing other than diminish the university's standing, and harm the students that study here. 'Staff do not want to go on strike, but what is being proposed will damage UWS's crucial missions of teaching, research and widening access to higher education. I can see even in my own work that those staff that remain will be under increasing pressure with unmanageable workloads and will have less time to offer students in need of support with their studies. 'Members at UWS are genuinely angry at the actions of senior managers. Members need to return their ballots and force the principal to think again and to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies.' READ MORE: Staff to be balloted on strike action as university announces 75 job cuts Edinburgh University staff to strike today as 1800 job losses threatened 'Eye-watering' university principal salaries may be distracting from bigger problems UCU general secretary, Jo Grady, said: 'UWS is genuinely important to communities across the West of Scotland. "Cutting staff on this scale doesn't sit with the university's responsibility and commitment to local communities in Paisley, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and the South of Scotland. "The principal and senior managers need to change course or else they face the prospects of industrial action and strikes.'
The Independent
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Strike ballot launched at university over proposed job cuts
A ballot on strike action at a university has been launched by a union that represents lecturers in response to upcoming redundancies. The Educational Institute of Scotland's (EIS) University Lecturers' Association (ULA) branch at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) said on Monday it had launched the ballot, which closes on July 22 at 12pm. It comes in response to the UWS's Organisational Change Project, which aims to cut around 75 full-time equivalent roles. The union says discussions with university bosses have been largely unproductive, and that the employer has shown a lack of transparency throughout the process. The EIS said the university has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies, posing a threat to the job security of its members and the quality of education, and added that it will have an overall detrimental effect on the UWS. Garry Ross, EIS national officer for higher education, condemned the university's approach. 'It is deeply regrettable that the University of the West of Scotland has chosen to make this large number of job cuts and pushed staff to the point of balloting for strike action,' he said. 'The proposed redundancies are a short-sighted and a damaging strategy that will have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of dedicated staff, many of whom have worked at UWS for years. 'Furthermore, it will inevitably lead to a decline in the academic provision, research capacity, and overall student experience at the university. 'We urge UWS to step back from this path and engage meaningfully with the EIS ULA to secure a no compulsory redundancy guarantee.' A UWS spokesperson said: 'We have sought to engage with our recognised trade union representatives ahead of and throughout this process, including the invitation to participate fully. 'Having been disappointed previously when the recognised trade unions withdrew their engagement, we provided an open invitation to return and contribute to shaping the future of UWS. 'We are pleased that this week they returned to the table to join the university in identifying approaches to avoiding compulsory redundancy, with a number of proposals having already been tabled. 'Our approach has been transparent from the outset and we have actively sought to co-create, with colleagues and trade union partners, a business case to address ongoing student population pressures, the challenging external funding environment and the resultant financial consequences being felt across the entire sector.' The spokesperson added: 'The aim throughout this university-wide process is to put UWS on a more sustainable financial footing to enable an even better student experience and enhanced graduate outcomes. 'In common with the rest of the higher education sector across the UK, the university is operating in a very challenging financial environment exacerbated by external factors that have driven a significant change in the size and shape of our student population, and the associated funding.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Strike ballot launched at university over proposed job cuts
A ballot on strike action at a university has been launched by a union that represents lecturers in response to upcoming redundancies. The Educational Institute of Scotland's (EIS) University Lecturers' Association (ULA) branch at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) said on Monday it had launched the ballot, which closes on July 22 at 12pm. It comes in response to the UWS's Organisational Change Project, which aims to cut around 75 full-time equivalent roles. The union says discussions with university bosses have been largely unproductive, and that the employer has shown a lack of transparency throughout the process. The EIS said the university has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies, posing a threat to the job security of its members and the quality of education, and added that it will have an overall detrimental effect on the UWS. Garry Ross, EIS national officer for higher education, condemned the university's approach. 'It is deeply regrettable that the University of the West of Scotland has chosen to make this large number of job cuts and pushed staff to the point of balloting for strike action,' he said. 'The proposed redundancies are a short-sighted and a damaging strategy that will have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of dedicated staff, many of whom have worked at UWS for years. 'Furthermore, it will inevitably lead to a decline in the academic provision, research capacity, and overall student experience at the university. 'We urge UWS to step back from this path and engage meaningfully with the EIS ULA to secure a no compulsory redundancy guarantee.' A UWS spokesperson said: 'We have sought to engage with our recognised trade union representatives ahead of and throughout this process, including the invitation to participate fully. 'Having been disappointed previously when the recognised trade unions withdrew their engagement, we provided an open invitation to return and contribute to shaping the future of UWS. 'We are pleased that this week they returned to the table to join the university in identifying approaches to avoiding compulsory redundancy, with a number of proposals having already been tabled. 'Our approach has been transparent from the outset and we have actively sought to co-create, with colleagues and trade union partners, a business case to address ongoing student population pressures, the challenging external funding environment and the resultant financial consequences being felt across the entire sector.' The spokesperson added: 'The aim throughout this university-wide process is to put UWS on a more sustainable financial footing to enable an even better student experience and enhanced graduate outcomes. 'In common with the rest of the higher education sector across the UK, the university is operating in a very challenging financial environment exacerbated by external factors that have driven a significant change in the size and shape of our student population, and the associated funding.'
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Deacon blue keyboard player James Prime dies after short battle with cancer
Deacon Blue keyboardist James 'Jim' Prime has died aged 64 after a short battle with cancer. The Scottish pop-rock band announced the news shortly after Prime, from Kilmarnock, died on Thursday morning. They wrote on social media: 'Dear friends, We announce with great sadness that our brother James Prime passed away this morning after a short struggle with cancer. Dear friends, We announce with great sadness that our brother James Prime passed away this morning after a short struggle with cancer. Thank you so much for the messages of support that you shared over the last two weeks, they meant so much to Jim, his family & us. With love, DBx — Deacon Blue (@deaconbluemusic) June 19, 2025 'Thank you so much for the messages of support that you shared over the last two weeks, they meant so much to Jim, his family & us. With love, DBx.' Founded in 1985, Deacon Blue consist of Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh on vocals, Dougie Vipond on drums, Gregor Philp on guitar, and Lewis Gordon on bass. The group have released 11 studio albums to date, as well as two live albums, eight compilation albums, and an album that features both studio and compilation elements. They are best known for their hit single Dignity, which propelled them to success in their early years. Earlier this month, the band said Prime, who was also a lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, was seriously ill. They wrote on social media on June 11: 'We wanted to share some news with you about our brother, Jim. 'Unfortunately, he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital. We would like you to join us in wishing him well and to share your love with him. 'We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue's plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the shows go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being. 'Together with Jim's family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion.'
