Industrial action on 28 March 2006

A national day of industrial action has been called by a number of Trade Unions, including UNISON, over their concerns about proposed changes to the operation of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

As many of the non-academic support staff at the University of Teesside are members of UNISON, this action is likely to have an impact on the University.

Students and staff are being advised that services such as the unlocking of buildings, catering and technical support for laboratory based classes, may be affected and some lab-based classes work requiring technician support have already been cancelled.

The University’s Postgraduate Fair planned for 28 March has been postponed and will be re-arranged to another date.

Professor Graham Henderson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Teesside, said: “We fully recognise the concerns of our colleagues who are protesting at changes to the local government pension scheme, particularly in relation to ensuring that our staff are treated in the same manner as those in other public sector occupations. We have written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister making this point.

“We anticipate being open for our students on Tuesday 28 March, but naturally we recognise that there will be some disruption to our normal operations. We very much hope that these difficult matters can be resolved quickly.”

It is expected that the Learning Resource Centre will be open from 8.30am until 9.00pm with a limited service. Users will only be able to borrow books using the self issue equipment and will not be able to return or renew books.

Campus catering facilities will be also limited.

If you have queries about any matters relating to the day of industrial action or the likely impact of this activity on classes or other university activities, you should contact the relevant number below for information:

School of Arts & Media - 01642 384019 School of Computing - 01642 342631 Teesside Business School - 01642 342851 School of Social Sciences & Law - 01642 342312 School of Health & Social Care - 01642 384100 School of Science & Technology - 01642 342461 Switchboard - 01642 218121

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