Ballot on redeployment in IoT sector

Darwin

I know most of the discussion on this forum relates to matters at second level, but I thought I would put up some details about current goings-on in the IoT sector as some of us share the same union (TUI).

A bit of background - the IoTs are currently being amalgamated with a view to becoming technological universities. I see the real agenda as not necessarily one to improve the model of third level education but more of a rationalisation and cost cutting exercise.
The HRA agreement contains provisions on redeployment, and as we all know the HRA was accepted. I was very surprised then to see the union put out a ballot on this matter to us last month. The ballot was rejected (i.e. members voted against the redeployment scheme) which I was happy to see as the union was pushing the usual line of this is the best we can do, you better vote for it. The department has responded to the TUI indicating that the matter has been referred to the LRC for conciliation. In the meantime, this is what the department are going to do:

Department has no option but to instruct management in the Institutes with immediate effect not to proceed with implementation of specific measures in the Haddington Road Agreement which benefit academic grades represented by the TUI, namely (i) the issuing of CIDs to academic staff after 3 years and (ii) the conversion of hourly-paid and associate lecturers to AL. The Department is also reserving its position in relation to the Expert Group on fixed-term and part-time employment in lecturing insofar as its deliberations refer to academic grades represented by the TUI.


Talk about a spiteful response.

newfrontier

wow that is nasty is this a warning shot?

2011abc

They really are like spiteful children .

Darwin

It would also appear the department has been putting pressure on the TUI executive to deliver in relation to this (it appears this way from email correspondence I have seen). The redeployment scheme may prove to be a useful stick to threaten with in terms of tenure and academic freedom and perhaps this is why they are so keen to see it delivered. When people talk about the legacy of the previous minister at the department, the above serves as a good reminder of the level of antipathy towards those working on the front line.

Peter Flynt

Then it seems the DES is declaring the Haddington Road Agreement over. . . And ALL education partners in primary/secondary sectors should withdraw from the HRA as a consequence and a show of solidarity.

What will the primary and secondary unions do?

Nothing.

As usual.