College workers in Glasgow to stage protest over staff cuts
STAFF are protesting over plans to cut jobs at the city’s largest college. Union members are holding a demo outside the City of Glasgow College today as they say management is planning to cut staffing by 10% within weeks.
EIS- FELA and Unison are taking the action demanding that alternatives are looked at to deal with rising costs and funding issues.
They say staff should not be forced to pay the price with their jobs.
Unions say they have been told by management that cuts have to be made as a result of rising costs of energy and flat cash funding from the Scottish Government.
While the college says it is facing a need for multi- year savings and £ 4 million is needed this year.
Charlie Montgomery, EIS- FELA branch convenor, said: “Our senior management’s response to that is to pass the cuts on to staff i. e. the very people who actually deliver education, provide vital student support services, and run the college on a day to day basis. That will have a detrimental impact on students.”
The staff representatives say management needs to look at its priorities when spending the money it has.
Sheila Meikle, EIS- FELA branch secretary, said “For years there’s been money in this College to syphon off to an arms- length foundation, to fund trips abroad for senior management, to buy expensive food and hospitality for senior management’s guests.
“That’s all paid for by public sector money. Now we’re expected to increase the number of commercial courses we offer for profit, including via our new campus partnership in Dubai.
“This isn’t just about lack of public sector funding, it’s about senior management’s priorities when spending the money.”
The college said it is not immune to increasing costs.
A City of Glasgow College spokesperson said: “All Colleges in Scotland face substantial funding and financial challenges.
“This year alone, the Scottish Funding Council’s allocation to our institution represents a cash- terms cut of £ 1.8m.
“In addition, we are facing significant pressures from rising energy costs, rising inflation costs and rising payroll costs.
“City of Glasgow College, despite being Scotland’s largest college, is not immune to the triple whammy impact of these rising costs combined with real- term budget cuts. Regrettably, we have been forced to reduce our spending, necessitating a £ 4m reduction this year alone. Sadly, this is a multi- year challenge we are facing, as it is elsewhere in the public sector.
“Most of our costs derive from staff costs, which is why last month we opened a Voluntary Severance scheme to all staff, which will close in January. We are known for our compassionate, staff wellbeing approach, and we are engaging regularly with our staff and their representatives.
“We are a world- class institution, and we will weather this storm.
“As well as making savings, we are exploring means of bringing in additional income and continue to seek out opportunities, identify areas of potential growth and secure new income to enable us to support learners and employers.”