UCD employees to strike as students return

STAFF at University College Dublin (UCD) are to take industrial action as students return next month because of alleged denials of job security and pension rights.

SIPTU has claimed the university is abusing legislation covering fixed-term contract work. Around one-third of the university’s 3,000 staff, including lecturers, researchers, administrative and services staff — are on such contracts, according to the union’s education branch organiser, Chris Rowland.

“UCD is blatantly in breach of the legislation by not giving some contract staff a pension. This policy is creating a two-tier workforce, one with security and provision for the future and the other without,” she said.