Union claims 134 jobs at risk at university

A union is consulting its members to decide whether staff wanted to launch a formal industrial action vote over Nottingham Trent University plans that it says will put 134 jobs at risk.

Unison says the University wants to restructure its marketing and admissions functions. The union said it expected staff transfer across people doing the same work from the old structure to the new one. But, instead, they have said everyone has to apply for their job. UNISON says that puts everyone at risk and could lead to “many unnecessary redundancies”.

NTU says it expects a reduction of “only 14 jobs”, according to Unison. However, the union says the University’s approach is not just “inefficient and unnecessary”, but that it “smacks of cherry picking”.

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) UNISON branch secretary Jess McDonald said: “The Branch committee believe that this idea of putting everyone at risk seems more like a popularity contest rather than a major public sector recruitment exercise. There is a real suspicion that the motive is to circumvent people’s job security and it smacks of cherry picking.”

UNISON regional officer Dave Ratchford said: “It’s simply unnecessary and inefficient to put 134 people at risk of redundancy – with all the anxiety and stress that brings. There is now absolutely no guarantee that anyone will keep their job. If you fail at interview, you’re out. Every single suggestion and alternative we put forward to improve the process and protect the staff was rejected.

“In fact, if your job appears in the new structure at a higher grade, you can’t even apply for it until all the higher-grade jobs are filled. If someone at the higher grade applies and gets that job, you’re out of work and you didn’t even get a chance.

“Feelings are running high right now. Staff feel betrayed and believe the process is a sham consultation.”

A spokesperson for Nottingham Trent University said: “We have had extensive engagement with, and listened to the views of communications, admissions and student recruitment colleagues and the union throughout this whole process and felt that we had very constructive conversations. We were appreciative of suggestions put forward by colleagues and union representatives, and following consultation a number of their suggested changes were implemented.

“NTU remains one of the UK’s most popular universities. The creation of the new communications, admissions and student recruitment department is driven by the aspiration to create a more integrated team as we continue to build our strong reputation.

“The restructuring process is ongoing and colleagues are continuing to receive support throughout this process.”