University of Ulster Staff Vote for Strike Action

LONDON, May 23/PRNewswire/ --

- ATTN: Northern Ireland Editors

Unite members at the University of Ulster have voted to strike as staff
face having their pay cut by up to GBP 5,000.

Unite the union members overwhelmingly voted in favour of industrial
action with 71% voting to take strike action in response to the university's
failure to address serious flaws in a recently implemented Job Evaluation
Scheme.

The outcome of the scheme has been ignored by the university with members
of staff either having to undertake increased levels of responsibility or
have their pay reduced.

Steve Tweed, Unite Regional Officer, says: "The Job Evaluation Scheme was
not implemented in a fair and consistent manner which has seen large numbers
of our members facing pay cuts of up to GBP 5,000. This is at a time when the
Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett, has been awarded a 25% increase
in pay."

Unite has sought to engage with the University over a protracted period
of time without success. The Vice Chancellor has refused to meet with Unite
or even respond directly to correspondence.

Mr Tweed continued: "It is an unfortunate state of affairs when our
members are forced to take industrial action to ensure the pay and grading
system is implemented in a fair and transparent manner while the university
receives public funding for Rewarding and Developing staff. In this matter it
has clearly failed and we would ask that the Minister for Employment and
Learning, Sir. Reg Empey, investigates just how that funding has been
allocated."

Unite the union is again seeking an urgent meeting with the Vice
Chancellor. If he continues to refuse to meet with union officials, Unite
members will have no alternative but to commence a programme of industrial
action at all campuses within the University of Ulster.

Source: Unite the Union

For further information contact: Steve Tweed, Regional Officer +44(0)7768-931268; Jody Whitehill, Press Officer +44(0)7768-693856 or +44(0)20-7420-8938.

2008-05-22 19:02:14 0369403 PRNEWSWIRE