No confidence vote from union
Members of a lecturers’ union voted unanimously to back a vote of no confidence in senior management at Perth College UHI.
Cash-strapped Perth College UHI is expected to cut up to 21 jobs in an effort to scramble savings to cover the financial gap for the 2019/20 college budget.
College bosses have been undertaking consultation talks with staff and trade unions over the need to achieve the savings“to continue the long term financial sustainability of the college”.
Now, Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers’Association (EIS-FELA), Scotland’s largest teacher and lecturer union, voted at a branch meeting on Wednesday in support of a vote of no confidence motion to Perth College UHI senior management over the current financial issues now plaguing the institution.
Members were asked to vote on the following motion:“This branch believes that the current precarious financial position of Perth College is down to mismanagement and that senior management are ultimately responsible for this.
“Senior management have not communicated with EIS-FELA or UNISON through the appropriate mechanisms, or attempted to address the situation until it has reached a position where member’s jobs are at risk.”
A unanimous vote like this, indicates the strength of feeling of the membership and the branch and officials say they“look forward to a timely response” addressing these concerns and providing solutions that do not jeopardise members’ jobs.
Branch officials will communicate the outcome to the board of management at Perth College UHI as well as the senior management team.
In response to the news of the vote of no confidence, a spokesperson for Perth College UHI said:“While we are of course disappointed that EIS-FELA members voted this way, this action will not resolve the financial and operational issues we are facing.
“The Perth College UHI board of management and senior management team is working to ensure the long-term sustainability of the institution and we remain committed to work collaboratively with our unions, employee representatives and external stakeholders through this consultation process which seeks to minimise potential job losses and support staff affected. We welcome all comment and constructive dialogue during this period.”