Staff at Bangor University were yesterday (Wednesday) informed that 200 people are to be made redundant.
Trade unions say the scale of cuts will damage Bangor’s level of student support and welfare and academic reputation.
120 support staff jobs will go, affecting workers in I.T., examinations, academic registry, libraries, estates, accommodation and student support, along with 80 academic jobs.
UNISON, UCU and UNITE have criticised what is a third round of job cuts in the last three years. They say Bangor University executives are not interested in long-term planning or in evaluating where savings might be made without harmful cuts to staff numbers.
UNISON, UCU and UNITE emphasise how the job cuts will be a huge blow to the local economy. The trade unions argue there is a duty on Bangor University to protect jobs because it is one of the three main employers in Gwynedd and they will be raising the matter with the Welsh government.
Christine Lewis, UNISON Bangor branch secretary, said,
“Bangor University is rushing into redundancies without waiting until we know how many domestic and overseas students are going to be here next year.
“University executives have been shedding staff for three years and they still haven’t achieved financial stability.
“Why isn’t Bangor saying ‘let’s put people before buildings’ and see if sensible saving can be made elsewhere first before axing dedicated staff.”
Daryl Williams, UNITE regional officer, said,
“Bangor University are sacking staff based on pessimistic projections. Rather than panic and make skilled people redundant, it would be better for the university to sit down with their employees and unions to plan for the future and decide what type of institution they want to be.
“Another round of cuts will hit staff morale at a time when people are working flat out to cope with Covid.”
Dyfrig Jones, Bangor University UCU president, said,
“Universities are organisations which are largely reliant on intellectual capital to deliver services. Making staff redundant during a pandemic when the university needs to draw on the intellectual capital of staff to deliver blended learning and support students seems very short-sighted.”
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON press officer on 07816 53 83 97