Union of Students criticised for staff suspension

THE Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has been sharply criticised by SIPTU for suspending a staff member without pay for the last five weeks.

The case is due to be heard by a Rights Commissioner next month but SIPTU education branch organiser Chris Rowland said the unfair suspension should be lifted immediately.

“The USI acted in a wholly unacceptable manner in suspending this worker, completely outside due process and fair procedures,” she said.

“SIPTU has requested that the worker be immediately re-instated or at least paid his wages while on suspension pending an investigation of the case by a Rights Commissioner scheduled for August 10,” Ms Rowland said.

But, she said, USI management has refused to lift the suspension or pay the employee while suspended.

“We expect a higher standard of employment practice from an organisation like the Union of Students in Ireland,” she said.

It is understood the dispute arises from demands from management that the male worker fill in detailed time sheets of how he spent each day at work. He had recently returned from sick leave when the suspension was imposed.

USI president Colm Hamrogue, who took up office earlier this month, said no comment would be made on the situation.

“It’s an internal staffing matter but we are taking it seriously and we are adhering to USI policy on the issue,” he said.

The union has 250,000 members at around 40 colleges in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It significantly reduced employee numbers to help ease financial difficulties around two years ago. A further seven elected officers are on paid sabbatical leave to organise USI’s work, with new officers taking over each July. It is understood that two of last year’s officer board withdrew late last year for unknown reasons.

Ironically, USI has a co-operation agreement with SIPTU under which the larger union and its staff offer help and training to student unions around the country on issues such as worker’s rights for students.