Planned staff strike averted at UCD

STUDENTS at the country’s largest university will return to classes on Monday following the withdrawal of a strike threat by more than 200 staff.

SIPTU had placed University College Dublin (UCD) on notice of a one-day strike in its dispute over fixed-term contract staff and pensions.

But following discussions at the Labour Relations Commission this week, UCD management gave a commitment to address the concerns.

SIPTU education branch officer Chris Rowland said the action has been deferred for two months but will go ahead if they are not happy with progress at that stage.

There was better news for UCD yesterday when it was named as Sunday Times Irish University of the Year, while Trinity College Dublin topped the league of Irish universities for the fourth successive year.

Published in tomorrow’s Sunday Times University Guide, colleges are ranked on the calibre of students’ research, results, staffing levels, graduate employment and retention rates.

Cork Institute of Technology was named as the top institute of technology.