All four parties on Dundee City Council call for halt to University job cuts

All four political parties from Dundee City Council have released a written joint statement to the Scottish Government calling for proposed future job losses at the University of Dundee to be halted.

The joint statement also called for the situation currently happening at the University to be made a high priority.

The letter was endorsed by council leader Mark Flynn (SNP), Scottish Labour group leader Kevin Keenan, Liberal Democrat leader Fraser Macpherson and Conservative leader Derek Scott.

The letter described the university as being “one of Dundee’s most important institutions” that “supports thousands of jobs directly and indirectly”.

“The current situation has implications not only for the university but for Dundee’s economy, its reputation as a centre of education and research, and the confidence of staff, students and prospective applicants”.

The University is one of the city’s biggest employers and also plays a large part in the local economy of Dundee.

They warn of the wider effects of proposed cuts: the “possible loss of valued assets such as the Botanic Garden risk causing lasting damage not only to the university but to the wider community it serves”.

While acknowledging the university’s financial difficulties and “the difficult decisions that have had to be considered”, the letter says “…the prospect of further substantial job losses once again casts a dark shadow over both the university and the City of Dundee.”

The four groups are “united in the view that further job losses should not go ahead”.

They ask that the Scottish Government work urgently with the university, the Scottish Funding Council and other partners to “identify every possible option to avoid compulsory redundancies and protect strategically important facilities and services”.

The letter also calls on the government to ensure “Fair Work principles are fully observed throughout this process, including meaningful engagement and negotiation with recognised trade unions on both the proposed redundancies and the university’s long-term recovery and sustainability plans.”

The letter, which the council sent to Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth and copied to all Cabinet Secretaries, suggests “…there is now a strong case for the Scottish Government to consider whether further targeted financial support or other forms of intervention are required“.

The council suggests that the “support would have to be linked to a robust, transparent and credible recovery plan”.

The letter concludes by asking for a rapid response detailing what action the government intends to take.