Members of IFUT in the Administration, Library and Support Staff categories in Trinity College, Dublin, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over plans to make all future appointments in these areas on a temporary contract basis.

Mike Jennings, General Secretary of IFUT said that, as the move will not allow the college to reduce the salaries of new staff, it appears designed purely to make employees insecure and further promote a ‘casualisation’ of third-level education.

The college is also proposing that future promotions operate on the same basis, with the aim of extending casualisation to all grades of staff over time.

Mike Jennings said that “under EU law all employment appointments are deemed to be permanent and secure unless the departure from permanency is justified. In addition, renewal of contracts require making the employment permanent.

“By seeking to make all contracts casual in nature TCD management are both breaking the spirit of EU law and signaling that those appointed will be replaced by a second wave of casualised staff at the end of their contract.

“Such a short-sighted policy will only serve to undermine the morale of staff and students alike and, if implemented, will further erode the overall educational status of Trinity College.”

IFUT is seeking immediate withdrawal of this decision and a full discussion with college management on more appropriate recruitment and employment practices to ensure a coherent staff relations policy.

• IFUT staff in the Administration, Library and Support Staff section in TCD have voted by 27 votes to 3 in support of industrial action, including strike action regarding imposition of temporary contracts.

ENDS

For further information on this media release please contact:

John Gallagher, John Gallagher Consulting. Tel. 087 9369888

Mike Jennings, General Secretary, IFUT, Tel 087 6776747.