Issue 59
Bethnal Green remembers historic tragedy Page 3
Monday March 12th 2012
Should pro-life groups be involved in pregnancy counselling? Page 7
The Newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union
Confusion over SMD cuts » » SMD gives different reasons for the redundancies
UCU complains about lack of transparency
The College has said that 43 redundancies may be necessary in order to keep the School of Medicine and Dentisty financially stable but UCU has alleged that the process has been less than transparent. Image courtesy of Queen Mary.
Rosie Reynolds A number of staff at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) are facing redundancy after extensive restructuring across Queen Mary, QMessenger has learned. SMD has completed a rigorous review as part of a restructuring programme aimed at achieving a £3m saving. The College say that the process is critical if the School is to remain financially stable and continue its upward trajectory in a very competitive environment. Staff and unions have been told that 43 possible redundancies are necessary because of a shortfall in funding for teaching from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The School has written to its academic staff to indicate whether or not, at this stage, their post is considered to be at risk as part
of this process. At this point, 43 the UCU QM Committee Executive. HEFCE-funded posts are at risk “The School has been communicating and follow-up meetings have been regularly with staff and unions arranged with individual staff throughout the restructure process affected. However, the University through email and in person,” said and College Union (UCU) and other Kerry Noble, QM Communications unions have serious concerns over Manager. “Chief Operating Officer both the treatment of SMD staff and Dr Rob Bennett attended all four the consultation associated with the consultation meetings plus open restructuring. In an email sent out and informal meetings. to members of UCU’s Queen Mary Professor Richard Trembath, Vice committee, the executive says that Principal (Health) was available for “the whole exercise must be regarded both the staff open meetings and two as a sham.” of the formal meetings with Trade UCU are concerned that Unions/Associations. HR Director management have given different Chris Pearson also attended both reasons for the redundancies to the the open meetings and two of the government and the unions, casting meetings with unions and Head doubt on both statements. They of HR Operations, Marissa Harris have complained that meetings attended all four meetings with the have been too few and far between, unions.” and at inconvenient times. “On too UCU criticise the School for not many occasions senior management providing basic evidence about the were not present and Professor restructuring or being forthcoming Richard Trembath, the head of the with it when requested, and accuse School, hardly attended and only in the School of not adequately response to a union request,” said planning for the future or consulting
with the NHS Trust that employs many SMD members. The email from the UCU Executive rejects the claim that the redundancies are necessary because of HEFCE cuts, saying that if costs were reduced then the rise in tuition fees for medical students would cover the shortfall. One of the schemes that UCU suggested axeing is a reward scheme for bringing in funds that is only supposed to operate when the School budget is in surplus. However, UCU say that this is being retained despite the budget being in defecit, and that the money spent on the scheme could have saved 15 jobs. “Most shocking of all, management have rejected the option of a recruitment freeze,” says the UCU email. “ Indeed, management have made clear that they intend to recruit new posts in SMD and possibly in the very areas of research/teaching of those staff that have been made redundant.”
UCU are demanding more and better information, and that the College “will treat its staff with more respect.” Professor Richard Trembath, Vice Principal (Health), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, said: “These possible redundancies are the result of a thorough and painstaking review which we conducted in response to significant changes in university funding. Although there a number of people at risk, the School has continued to recruit for new posts where alternative funding and a strong business case exists essential to keep the School moving forward. “Maintaining and improving the education we offer has been paramount throughout this process and we are confident that students will not experience any deterioration in the quality and quantity of their time with teaching staff.”