Staff at Salford University are on a one-day strike today in support of two colleagues in the marketing department who were sacked `unlawfully' according to the University trade union, UCU (University and College Union); which adds that when the workers tried to appeal against the dismissal the University refused to hear it. One of the members sacked was a UCU representative.
"We're here supporting two members of staff who have been dismissed by the University for no real reason and unfortunately we have had no other choice than to take a political response by organising strike action which will hopefully lead to their reinstatement" says Glynn Heath, Salford University branch treasurer
"The ironic thing is that they have actually admitted there is no reason why they've sacked them" he adds "One of them was a trade union representative the other was not, so until a legal process starts anything can be inferred. Obviously we are concerned that one of our representatives has been dismissed."
Angry UCU members, who voted by a 74% margin to take industrial action, manned picket lines at most entrances to the University this morning, and received support from passing rush hour motorists beeping their horns.
The leaflets given out by the staff ask `Is any job safe in Salford?...Join us to stop this happening again, or it could be you..'
Legally, the University would appear to be dodgy ground, and Glynn agrees... "Legally they can't do this but unfortunately the compensation given to people nowadays under the Industrial Relations laws are so pitiful that it's actually worth any employer's while sacking people for no reason whatsoever, and this is one of the reasons why we've taken a political response."
Salford University has had some shocking industrial relations practices over the last few years and people thought that, with the exit of Vice Chancellor Martin Hall and Deputy Vice Chancellor Adrian Graves recently, the learning establishment might become more liberal...
"We're always hoping, of course, that things will be more liberal at the University and strike action is something that we would only take if we had to; but it is something as a last resort that we are prepared to do" says Glynn "We're hoping for reinstatement and then we can move forward. We're looking forward to any positive responses from the University which will resolve this dispute."
A University of Salford spokesperson told the Salford Star: "We have been trying to resolve this dispute with the individuals concerned and are therefore disappointed that a day of strike action has been called. We expect all student lectures to run as normal today. We hope that a resolution can be found but, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to comment further."
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