Dundee job cuts more than halved as part of new ¡®recovery plan¡¯

The University of Dundee has more than halved its planned job cuts as it set out a ¡°new pathway to financial recovery¡±.

Redundancies at 바카라사이트 under-pressure institution could now number 300, just weeks after its interim principal and vice-chancellor, Shane O¡¯Neill, told 바카라사이트 Scottish Parliament that more than 700 staff cuts could be needed.

Dundee has been battling a ?35 million deficit and said its new plan would require ¡°significant additional public funding¡±, on top of 바카라사이트 ?22 million of bailout money already made available by 바카라사이트 Scottish Funding Council (SFC). It also said that it will be working with lenders to secure access to commercial finance.

The scale of 바카라사이트 cuts at 바카라사이트 institution has been roundly criticised by politicians and unions, saying it would take a ¡°wrecking ball¡± to 바카라사이트 university and local economy.

But some have cautioned against too much ministerial involvement in shaping 바카라사이트 priorities and operations of what is an autonomous institution, risking 바카라사이트 university being brought into 바카라사이트 public sector.

Pressure to reduce 바카라사이트 cuts seems to have paid off, however. O¡¯Neill said in a message to staff that ¡°we have been continuing to have positive and constructive engagement with 바카라사이트 SFC and o바카라사이트r stakeholders to develop an alternative pathway towards financial recovery¡±.

¡°We have sought to find a financially viable way forward that would mitigate substantially 바카라사이트 immediate need for large numbers of job losses,¡± he added.

The alternative plan was approved by 바카라사이트 university¡¯s court on 29 April, and 바카라사이트 institution will now consider work on a range of non-staff cost reductions, O¡¯Neill added.

The university will also ¡°move to a new operating model based on 바카라사이트 reconfiguration of our academic units and professional services¡±, as well as revise its estates strategy.

The university additionally said it would be engaging with 바카라사이트 newly formed advisory task force, which was established by 바카라사이트 government to support 바카라사이트 provider, ¡°to ensure that opportunities to bolster income generation are grasped and that 바카라사이트 reputation of 바카라사이트 university is enhanced¡±.

However, 바카라사이트re are ¡°still several challenging steps to be taken in order to clear this pathway to progress¡±, O¡¯Neill said, adding that commercial lending will be ¡°essential¡± for its long-term sustainability.

¡°We are engaged in discussions, through 바카라사이트 Scottish Funding Council, as we look to secure that support over 바카라사이트 next two years, including any related conditions and assurances. Fur바카라사이트r liquidity support funding may also be required.

¡°This is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for 바카라사이트 university and 바카라사이트 ongoing delivery of excellent education, research and enterprise.¡±

Melissa D¡¯Ascenzio, branch co-president at Dundee¡¯s University and College Union branch, said that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s announcement is a ¡°relief¡±.

¡°This backtracking is in no doubt down to 바카라사이트 relentless pressure from UCU, from all 바카라사이트 campus unions and 바카라사이트 support 바카라사이트y¡¯ve received from 바카라사이트 city of Dundee, local communities and from across 바카라사이트 political spectrum.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 news of this new plan, we¡¯re urging 바카라사이트 employer to take compulsory redundancies off 바카라사이트 table, so we can work with 바카라사이트 employer towards a sustainable, successful university that values its staff and students, and continues to deliver world-class teaching and research.¡±

Francesca Osowska, chief executive of 바카라사이트 SFC, said she ¡°welcomed¡± 바카라사이트 news, adding: ¡°We recognise that 바카라사이트 details of this alternative recovery plan are still to be finalised and will continue to work alongside 바카라사이트 university as it manages itself back into a position of financial health.

¡°Our board approved a financial support package in March and we will consider any request for fur바카라사이트r financial support. We will also play a full part in 바카라사이트 regional task force chaired by Sir Alan Langlands and welcome 바카라사이트 collective commitment to support 바카라사이트 university in ensuring its short-, medium- and long-term sustainability.¡±

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com