Stewart Forrester, who represents Unite the Union members at the university, told MSPs: “My university has to save £35 million over two years, it’s £20m this year and £15m next year. People are now going through a second phase of [redundancy].
“They’re actually picking on people… who have been in long term sickness or have a disability.”
However, a spokesperson for the institution has said that the claim has “no truth whatsoever”.
The Herald has previously reported how management at Strathclyde University in Glasgow have announced plans to cut 76 positions at the leading research institution.
Stewart Forrester spoke at Holyrood. (Image: Scottish Parliament)
“It has been brought forward by three unions at the university that the workload is unacceptable,” Forrester said on Wednesday.
“Management is picking on them and the unions are now looking into that to see if we can prove this,” he said. “Management has the right to pick who they want. It is completely unacceptable.
“It’s absolute shambles at my university right now.”
Similarly, Strathclyde’s University and College Union (UCU) said that “anxiety and stress” has skyrocketed among those whose jobs are at risk, especially those with disabilities.
The hearing was held as more than 60 members of staff have been approached by the university to participate in meetings about the future of their jobs.
An email sent to affected staff states: “Transformation cases have been developed by Faculty and Professional Services departments which propose ways to reshape for the future to ensure delivery of outstanding education, world-leading research and transformative innovation. These proposals do include potential reductions in staff numbers.
“Your area is impacted by the transformation proposals. I would like to invite you to attend a meeting to discuss the reshaping proposal and the possible impact on your role.”
The email continues: “Colleagues from HR will also be present and the relevant Trade Unions have been invited to attend.
“We understand this may be a difficult and anxious time. Additional support is available through the Employee Assistance Programme, Help EAP, which offers a free, confidential 24-hour counselling service.”
Stephen McArthur is the principal of Strathclyde University. (Image: Strathclyde University)
One staff member at the university previously told The Herald that colleagues had been “traumatised” by the spectre of job losses.
“Several members of staff have now decided that they have to take voluntary severance, because they have no other option, and yet we have roles that we now need to fill,” the source told The Herald.
“It has been so disrespectful, so insensitive. People have been subjected to a great deal of upset and worry, needlessly to a large extent in my view.”
The revelations come as Unite the Union and the University and College Union (UCU) are balloting members to take strike action over the cuts.
In December, university principal Professor Stephen McArthur outlined his cost-cutting plans in a message to staff.
He wrote: “The University needs to make £20m of recurrent savings in this year and a further £15m next year.
“As a result of this reshaping, we anticipate that around 76 existing full-time equivalent posts will not be part of the future structure. We will work with our staff and trade unions to mitigate the impact of proposed changes on affected staff.”
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“Colleagues feel as if they were in the Hunger Games,” Strathclyde UCU’s executive committee said in a statement.
“Disabled colleagues felt they were not supported, while junior colleagues and staff on fixed contracts felt exposed to a process they felt was unfair.”
In a statement to The Herald, a Strathclyde University spokesperson categorically denied that disabled staff had been targeted by management.
They said: “There is no truth whatsoever to the claim that staff are being targeted, as part of our reshaping plans, due to any disabilities.”
The spokesperson previously said: “Using a wide range of measures, we are implementing £20m of planned savings this year and £15m next year.
“The University has been consulting the campus Trade Unions on a regular basis regarding proposed changes and will continue to do so.”