Mayo GMIT campus facing industrial action threat

MEMBERS of the TUI attached to the GMIT campuses in Galway, Castlebar and Letterfrack have voiced concerns regarding a communication issued by the institute last month proposing to reduce the staff level by 22 in the current academic year due to a funding deficit.

It is reported that at an emergency meeting today, they objected to the approach being undertaken and passed a motion to ballot for industrial action if the institute does not engage in meaningful consultation and negotiation with the union.

Aidan Kenny, assistant general secretary, TUI, stated: “There are established industrial relations procedures for processing issues of concern. It is unacceptable that the institute has not yet provided the union with the information requested. The institute is aware our members are protected against compulsory redundancy under the terms of a collective agreement.”

The vice-president of TUI, Joanne Irwin, said the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology has suffered a 40% cut to cut to its budget from 2008 to 2014.

The Higher Education Authority made a further cut of €2,071,551 in 2014- 2015. These cuts are unsustainable and bring the institute into a deficit situation.

The union has requested the new Minister of Education to restore the 2014-2015 budget cut by making available €2 million this term and agree a five-year investment strategy.