University of Stirling

“The news that the controversial ‘fire and rehire’ plans by the University of Sheffield have been jettisoned is a victory for common sense, and the strong solidarity shown by our reps and members in the face of the panic-induced plans by the University.

“For the University’s 8,000 employees, there is massive relief that there is no longer a threat to ‘fire and rehire’ on inferior terms and conditions.

“However, the toll on employees’ mental health over the last month has been immense. Some have already left the University’s employment under the voluntary redundancy scheme – would they have taken this course if they hadn’t felt the recent intense pressure?

“Unite maintains that the University’s plan to ‘fire and rehire’ was a panic reaction to a hole in its finances which was symptomatic of an institutional lack of long-term planning.

“It was also a callous disregard for the employees who make the University such an attractive place for students to study.

“The University, which is fundamentally wealthy, needs to take a long hard look at its medium to long-term strategy. There was a built-in flaw in the University’s ‘business model’ which relied exclusively on the revenue from top fee-paying international students, especially those from China.

“As we move forward, trade unions need to be fully involved in providing the necessary counterbalance to the ‘we know best’ attitude of the University’s management. Unite is keen to work constructively with the management so the trauma of the last month never happens again.”