Tag Archives: CIT

News, SCHOOLS

TUI Strike Action At ITT ‘Inevitable’ Unless Govt Negotiates On Critical Issues

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IT Tralee Feat
There could be strike action by IT Tralee TUI members in the new year.

TUI members in Institutes of Technology, including IT Tralee, have voted by a margin of 92% to engage in a campaign of industrial action in order to tackle a number of  issues in their sector.

In a vote with a 56% turnout of members, announced yesterday, the Union said strike action is inevitable before the general election unless meaningful negotiations with the Minister for Education takes place.

TUI President Gerry Quinn said: “Academic staff in Institutes of Technology have made their position very clear in this ballot, and the next course of action will be decided by the union’s Executive Committee in the new year. In the meantime, we urge the Minister for Education and Skills to engage meaningfully with us on a number of critical issues. In the absence of meaningful negotiations, strike action before the general election is inevitable.”

The Union says funding in the sector was cut by 35% (€190m) between 2008 and 2015. Over the same time period, student numbers rose by a (32%) 21,411 while lecturer numbers actually fell by 9.5% (535).

“This has had a direct, detrimental effect on the quality of service to students and the working conditions of academics,” said Mr Quinn.

“As a result of the fall in lecturer numbers and the steep rise in student numbers, lecturer workload has increased significantly and intolerably. Findings of a survey carried out by TUI (April 2015) show that lecturers are experiencing high levels of work related stress as a result of cutbacks and rationalisation measures in the sector,” he continued.

The Union is also concerned about elements of the recent publication of the Technological Universities Bill, which intends to see IT Tralee merged with Cork Institute of Technology.

They say “the intention to effect such huge change without proper resourcing in an era of hugely damaging cutbacks to the sector is ill-advised” and criticises “the lack of adequate consultation and meaningful engagement with our members”.

The Union is insisting that mergers must not be forced, and “if mergers are envisaged they must be appropriately funded and that the regional mission, which is central to the institute of technology ethos, must be explicitly retained.”

News, SCHOOLS

TUI Members Vote In Favour Of Taking Industrial Action In IT Tralee

 

IT Tralee
Staff members at IT Tralee has voted to take industrial action against the proposed merger with CIT.

STAFF members of the Teachers Union Of Ireland (TUI) Branch of IT Tralee have voted to take industrial action regarding the proposed merger between CIT and ITT

The count of the ballot, which was taken last night, resulted in over 84% of the TUI Branch voting in favour of taking industrial action as a result of the merger with the Cork based institute.

The ballot was held last week as a result of what the TUI members describe as a “growing lack of confidence in the process”.

Staff members felt that they were not consulted enough when talks were initially being held.

Some of the actions under consideration as a result of the vote include non-cooperation with the merger activities, followed by work-to-rule and if this yields no progress, then strike action will be considered.

Speaking after the votes were counted, Cyril Gavaghan of the TUI said; “It is gratifying that so many members voted and supported the branch’s position. An 84% vote in favor shows clearly the depth of feeling among members on the issue and is a compelling mandate for the branch officers to bring to any future discussions or negotiations”.

News, POLITICS, SCHOOLS

Sinn Féin TD Calls For Dáil Debate IT Tralee And CIT Merger Issue

 

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Jan O’ Sullivan is being urged to talk to shareholders bout their concerns.

NORTH Cork Central Sinn Féin TD, Jonathan O’ Brien, has called on the Minister for Education Jan O’ Sullivan to meet with stakeholders in an effort to address their concerns about the proposed IT Tralee and CIT merger.

The merger is set to cost in the region of  €6.7 million and, if successful, it would create the Munster Technological University.

The ‘Teachers Union Of Ireland’ has said on a previous occasion that they had no confidence in in any aspect of the merger process.

Following concerns expressed by staff in IT Tralee – who have not ruled out industrial action – the TUI Cork Colleges’ Branch has now raised its own concerns.

“Charging ahead with policy change in education without paying heed to the concerns of those expected to actually deliver the changes is a hallmark of this government.” Deputy O’Brien said.

Jonathan O' Brien
Sinn Féin TD has called for a Dáil debate on the merger.

“The TUI members in both CIT and IT Tralee have raised legitimate concerns around the proposed merger citing project reduced course provisions in both institutes and a lack of clarity around the government’s financial commitment to the process.”

“Even members of the Public Accounts Committee have expressed concerns about the costs involved.”

“It is perfectly reasonable to express concerns about the merger if there is the potential that the Higher Education Authority may refuse technological university status and they will be left as two merged under-resourced institutions.”

“I have requested a Dáil debate on the matter for tomorrow and am calling on the Minister to meet with the TUI members to hear their concerns and further for the HEA to meet with the TUI as well,” said the Deputy.