7 February 2007

Joint statement from the University and Campus Trade Unions

The University Principal and the campus trade unions met today (Wednesday February 7th) to discuss the work of the Sustainability Review Group, which will report to the University Court on 19th February. The group is expected to recommend to Court that the University seeks to achieve a surplus of 3% of turnover by 2010-2011. The unions and the University senior management agreed to work together constructively and openly to strive to achieve the target in ways that protect the interests of students and avoid compulsory redundancies.

Specifically it was agreed that:

• The University will share the review group’s report and all relevant background papers, with the unions at the earliest possible opportunity.
• The Principal will seek permission from Court to establish a voluntary severance scheme for all staff.
• The University and the unions will continue to meet at regular intervals over the coming weeks.
• The University and unions anticipate that there will be scope for further discussion on the proposals following the Court meeting.

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk