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STUC condemns university derecognition of UCU and Unite

24 April 2011

The STUC today passed a motion condemning the decision by Robert Gordon University (RGU) to derecognise UCU and Unite trade unions.

The derecognition means that the unions can no longer take part in discussions with the university over terms and conditions of service relating to their members.
 
UCU brought an emergency motion to the STUC which calls on the university to immediately reverse its decision, and to work with the four campus trade unions which up to 9 March 2011 had been recognised at RGU. It further calls on the STUC to make representations to RGU's principal  Professor Ferdinand von-Prondzynski, the Scottish Funding Council and the incoming Scottish government to overturn this decision. The president of UCU Scotland, Dr Lesley McIntosh, who is based at the university moved the motion which was seconded by Unite.
 
UCU pointed to the fact that RGU's new principal Professor Ferdinand von-Prondzynski had his right to blog and tweet enshrined in his contract, while members of staff were denied the right to express their views and organise as a union before his arrival.
 
UCU Scotland president, Dr Lesley McIntosh, said: 'I am shocked that my university would disenfranchise staff in this way and welcome the support of the STUC in overturning this decision.  With the backing of the STUC and the other campus unions, we will redouble our efforts to gain recognition with the new principal of RGU who had his right to blog and tweet enshrined in his contract while the rights of his staff to express their views were being torn up before he was even in post.'

Last updated: 11 December 2015

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