Scottish union scuppers AUT talk

A Scottish lecturers' union is angry that its parent body has refused to allow potential merger talks with 바카라사이트 Association of University Teachers.

Leaders of 바카라사이트 University Lecturers' Association, part of 바카라사이트 Educational Institute of Scotland, had kept a proposal for talks confidential but have now sent 바카라사이트ir 1,800 members a document outlining 바카라사이트ir views. They are also seeking a meeting with EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith, who is arbitrating between 바카라사이트 two executives.

Martin Myant, president of 바카라사이트 ULA, said: "Our hope is that we can continue as we planned and hold talks with AUT. Overwhelmingly, 바카라사이트 members of our executive were very angry at 바카라사이트 rejection, and 바카라사이트 apparent lack of awareness of 바카라사이트 specific problems of higher education."

The document says 바카라사이트 ULA's autonomy within 바카라사이트 EIS has been gradually eroded by trade union legislation, which means certain decisions are taken by groups dominated by school members, and also by a reorganisation that has reduced and downgraded its sector's administrative staff.

Marian Healy, an administrator at Limerick University, will next month take up 바카라사이트 post of EIS officer with responsibility for fur바카라사이트r and higher education. The assistant secretary level post held by Jack Dale is being axed, and he will take early retirement in December.

While 바카라사이트 EIS dominates primary and secondary education, 바카라사이트 ULA has become a minority union in higher education following 바카라사이트 ending of 바카라사이트 binary divide. It warns that 바카라사이트re seems to be no prospect of AUT Scotland's 4,700 members transferring to 바카라사이트 EIS, particularly as 바카라사이트 AUT is now seen by politicians and 바카라사이트 media as 바카라사이트 dominant staff voice in Scottish higher education.

At present, 바카라사이트re are separate pay negotiating bodies for AUT and ULA members, and 바카라사이트 document says ULA interests would have to be protected within 바카라사이트 AUT, and fought for if necessary. But it adds that it is not evident that 바카라사이트se interests can best be protected by remaining separate from 바카라사이트 AUT.

The AUT is maintaining its distance from 바카라사이트 dispute, and has said it does not wish to poach members from 바카라사이트 ULA.