Staff left out in the cold by Glasgow University Union

Workers at the Glasgow University Union (GUU) were dismissed last month after chiefs decided not to extend their contracts. 

This was despite pleas from union leaders to keep “loyal” staff on using the furlough scheme until October. 

In a letter to GUU bosses, 20 former employees asked the union to reconsider the decision but this was dismissed in a reply from the board, who argued it would not be “in the spirit” of the government’s Job Retention Scheme. 

Bryan Simpson, industrial organiser for Unite, which represents most of the former employees, said: “The GUU had every opportunity to avoid termination of 2/3 of their staff. They could absolutely have continued to furlough them under the Job Retention Scheme paying them 80 per cent of average earnings until the end of lockdown. 

“Instead they choose to sack 30 loyal workers, most of whom happen to be current or former Alumni of Glasgow University.

Glasgow Kelvin MSP Sandra White also blasted the decision

“To then claim - in their justification for the terminations - that to retain staff would not be “in the spirit” of the Job Retention Scheme is frankly ridiculous.

“The GUU are now refusing to even meet their workforce, many of whom have been left destitute because they aren’t eligible for Universal Credit.

“The GUU has tarnished its reputation as a progressive institution and our members and their students will not forget it.

“At this stage, we would urge senior management at Glasgow University to intervene not just to do the right thing by it’s students but to ensure that this doesn’t tarnish the wider reputation of the university.”

The decision comes after the Queen Margaret Union similarly sacked 31 members of staff instead of using furlough.

READ MORE: QMU sacks 31 members of furloughed staff

Glasgow Kelvin MSP Sandra White said: “It is not just disappointing but I am quite angry by the fact they have just dismissed the concerns raised by staff. 

“Furloughing is not costing them any money and in this particular climate a lot of young people who are working in the GUU would normally be getting work over the summer elsewhere. 

“It’s all very dismissive and that really worries me.” 

Hillhead councillor Ken Andrew added: “This just seems mean spirited and keeping the staff on using furlough is exactly what the scheme should be used for.” 

Namrata Ranpuria, president of GUU, said: “The decisions we have made were far from easy, but were taken in the face of an unprecedented shutdown with no definite end in sight. The building has been closed since 18 March 2020 and the union is always far less busy from June through to September every year when students are away.  

Workers at Glasgow University's QMU also lost their jobs

“That is why staff on fixed term contracts were due to end them towards the end of May.  Staff representatives have put to us their opinion that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) would have allowed for these contracts to be extended.  

“Anyone being furloughed must be facing loss of work by reason of the coronavirus, rather than because there would have been no work in any case, even without coronavirus.

“During the period of furlough, all of our valued staff were paid in full, including the topping up by 20 per cent of all those furloughed. 

“We took careful legal advice before reaching our decision, which we considered the most responsible one in the circumstances.  

“We consulted fully with other university unions in the same position and we are taking the same steps as many in the hospitality industry during this pandemic, which has forced the closure of many operations like ours. 

“We thank our staff for their hard work with us and support and will certainly consider re-engaging them in the future when the opportunity arises.”