GLASGOW University staff referred to the "living hell" of uncertainty during a drawn out dispute over changes to their working conditions.

Janitors, security personnel, museum attendants, technical service workers and library staff are fighting the university over restructuring that could see some staff lose as much as £4000 a year.

Yesterday they gathered on campus with GMB Scotland union bosses to discuss next steps to resolve the row.

GMB organiser John Slaven said: "The university is undergoing changes across campus to be more flexible for students, such as opening at 6am until later at night, and running classes in the evenings.

"The union and the staff are not against these changes but if the university wants to alter the working practices of our members then they need to support staff properly through those changes.

"The staff do these very complex jobs that people don't necessarily see but if they weren't here, the academics and the students would miss them.

"They are vital to the running of the campus and, let's not forget, they have been here since last March.

"There has been no home working for them, they have been front line all the way."

In May the Glasgow Times told how staff took their fight out on to University Avenue.

More than 50 GMB members held a lunchtime rally, which included a piper leading a procession along the main road to highlight what the union referred to as "Victorian" work practices.

Glasgow Times: University of Glasgow GMB and Unite union members including janitors and other support staff pictured walking down University Avenue led by a piper Picture: Colin Mearns.13 May 2021

Core hours for staff involved are currently 8am til 6pm but changes on campus will increase those hours from 6am until 11.15pm, essentially cutting overtime payments.

GMB Scotland is demanding an end to fixed-term contracts, no job losses, should workers be required to work unsocial hours they should be compensated from being away from their families, and when changes are made to rosters and operations this should be done with consultation.

At yesterday's meeting, several staff spoke out about the proposals and expressed a clear appetite for industrial action, should the university not compromise on conditions.

A meeting is due to be held on Thursday of next week to move discussions forward, and the union said it is hopeful of constructive talks.

The university said there is hope the situation will be resolved "in the near future".

Some of the staff involved have worked at Glasgow University for as long as 30 years and feel deeply let down by their treatment.

Several spoke of being asked to reapply for their jobs but at a lower grade, or feeling forced to move to new employment.

John said: "Living with this has been a living hell.

"Our members cannot stand any more of this uncertainty. They are the life blood and the nervous system of this university."

A Glasgow University spokesman said: “We are currently consulting on changes to our service delivery to better support the emerging demands of the university, offering extended opening hours, increasing diversity and career opportunities, while seeking a positive work-life balance for all.

“We have been working closely with colleagues and campus unions on these proposals for some time, and we are hopeful of reaching agreement in the near future.

“We are supporting those affected, ensuring that alongside offering opportunities for promotion and upskilling, we seek to ensure there is a job available to all and offer two-year protected pay.”