The College Tribune 15th September 2009
The Difference is we’re independent
Issue 1 Volume 23
Siptu treaten strike against UCD l Siptu warns authorities they will fight redundancies l Academic says current situation not sustainable Karina Bracken The UCD branch of SIPTU has unanimously passed a ballot on strike action, threatening to strike if the UCD Governing Authority does not remove the threat of compulsory redundancies. A highly-charged meeting of UCD SIPTU members occurred in the Science Block during Orientation Week. Staff learned that the UCD Governing Authority had met in summer to discuss the introduction of a statue that would allow for changes to current redundancy legislation. SIPTU claims the Governing Authority has failed to meet them about their concerns. The meeting was chaired by Dr Kieran Allen a senior lecture of sociology at UCD. Allen stated that SIPTU opposes the statute on two main grounds. Firstly, he claims that over two years they have repeatedly written to UCD management about overspending. Twenty questions about college financing were put to the UCD authorities by SIPTU in a number of letters.
One of the issues raised “continuously and on the record” was the substantial bonuses paid to top level staff. “Out of the twenty questions, we got no answers. Staff should not have to bear the brunt of generous executive spending,” confirmed Allen. The second reason for SIPTU’s opposition is the belief that compulsory redundancies are not necessary. “There are other mechanisms that can be employed in both UCD and the public sector. Different schemes have seen a number of staff leaving voluntarily. This allows us to engage in the argument.” “UCD is being used as a Trojan Horse in the public sector. There is no need to introduce cuts, precisely because the public sector does not operate like the markets, subject to fluctuations and dramatic change. Compulsory redundancies would give managers the power to select employees for redundancies. We are totally opposed to that,” Allen said.
INSIDE Contiued, pg 4
Bar Closed as Black Monday turns rough l Bottles thrown at Pulse Security l Two arrested as Bar closes at 7pm Philip Connolly The UCD Student Bar was forced to close early on the first day of term resulting in aggressive behaviour by a number of students. Last Monday staff had to shut the bar at 7.30pm for a brief period of time as the maximum capacity had been reached. The service of alcohol also stopped for a time. Outside Pulse security were left to contend with a group of rowdy students unable to gain access to the bar. Around 25 security guards arrived as the bar closed. Forming a barricade, security
Photography by Phiip Connolly
pushed students back from the bar in order to disperse the crowd. A few students tried to break through but the large group gradually dispersed and the bar was able to resume normal service “There were some bottles thrown at us and one student attempted to climb over the barrier erected in front of the bar,” one Pulse security member informed the College Tribune at the time. “It is only a few of the students causing trouble; most people just want to have a good time... Continued Page 4...
INSIDE Health Centre Focus, pg 6
Inside this week...
The
Siren Imelda May
Fresher’s Guide Pages 8-13 www.ucd.ie/tribune
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