Rob Rooney, Cornwall Socialist Party
Jobs among the academic and research staff are at risk at the Penryn, Cornwall, campus of the University of Exeter – part of a planned overall cull of 500, with 200 compulsory.
A representative of the University and College Union (UCU) spoke at Cornwall Trades Council meeting.
Last year, the UCU was accused of scaremongering when raising concerns about cuts to modules and curriculum. The UCU was right.
Now the vice chancellor denies there is an agenda to withdraw from Cornwall, but the evidence is clear.
The meeting was told there is a mania to “drive down costs rather than protect education as a public good.”
That hits the nail on the head! Squatters occupy the commanding heights of our public services – instead of the people who work in and rely on the services, it’s corporate interests making the decisions.
Across the public sector we see the same process. Health bosses have announced the ‘temporary’ closure of a Barnstaple maternity unit. In Cornwall we see elected representatives cutting and privatising the public services the people rely on, with managers focused on cost-cutting. Need doesn’t enter into their calculations.
The UCU is balloting for strike action at Exeter. In January, UCU staff at Truro and Penryn College were on strike over pay and workload. The funding model for both further and higher education is broken. There is a need for the UCU to link up the struggles taking place all over the country, and for students to unite with staff.
Stop these cuts – victory to the UCU!
