Open letter to The Principal Rick Trainor

from UNISON,UNITE & UCU

We are writing to express our opposition to the proposal to make all 30 current roles (and therefore members of staff) in Information Resources redundant, and then invite staff to re-apply for their own jobs. Leaving aside the 15 known redundancies and the downgrading of existing staff that will result from this process, we are appalled that ISS has reverted to methods that have proven so divisive and demoralising for colleagues in the recent past.

Your letter of 3 April has left staff across the College worried about their career prospects and livelihoods. We believe that cuts in staff are unnecessary and will lead to a worse experience for students. The last publically available Financial Statement notes the College has £260 million in cash reserves and endowments it is our belief that this should be used to allow a breathing space to raise additional income and campaign for more government funding for higher education.
We therefore request that:

• The proposed redundancies in IR be put on hold pending full and adequate consultation
• The College’s books are opened to staff to allow an informed discussion
• A major public campaign involving staff, students and alumni is launched to prevent these cuts and get more government funding.