Template Letter to MSP

We are asking members to contact their local MSP to highlight the current situation at Glasgow Caledonian University and to request their support. A template letter is available below. 

Find your constituent and regional MSPs for Glasgow and the West regions.

Sample letter

Dear XXX MSP,

I am writing to express my concern at the potential loss of 100 jobs at Glasgow Caledonian University. Senior management of the university has estimated a deficit, initiated a targeted voluntary severance scheme and advised staff that there is a risk of compulsory redundancies. 

This comes after two previous rounds of voluntary severance, which have already reduced the number of staff. I am concerned that a further reduction of staff will significantly affect our students and will further reduce staff’s abilities to carry out their roles as effectively.

The opportunities GCU students enjoy depend on the hard work of many colleagues who give their best to deliver excellent teaching and support to them. This work has been put in jeopardy through management decisions which have wasted millions on a failed campus in New York.

Whilst none of the members of GCU’s senior management team (who earn over £100,000pa) have been included in the areas targeted for voluntary redundancies, up to 100 colleagues whose work directly contributed to GCU’s positive impact face potential compulsory redundancies if enough staff do not agree a ‘voluntary’ option. 

Joint trade unions at GCU have raised this dispute because of a lack of meaningful consultation from management, including a refusal to engage meaningfully on alternative proposals or to rule out compulsory redundancies.  

Options: delete the one that does not apply to you:

A: As a member of staff who could be directly affected by this threat, I am not only concerned about my own job security, but also about the impact this will have on GCU’s ability to continue its work for the ‘common weal’.

B: Although I am unlikely to be immediately directly affected by the plans, as a member of staff I am worried about colleagues and the University’s ability to continue its work for our students and the ‘common weal’. 

As my elected representative, I would appreciate it if you could support our campaign by writing to senior management and the Court at GCU to oppose these redundancies. 

EIS ULA members have already taken four days of strike action across July and August and and are set to take further strike action on Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th September.