Music college accused of 'aggressively' moving towards mass redundancies

The protest at the BIMM Music Institute on Dublin's Frances Street this afternoon. Photo: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos

A well-regarded Dublin music college has been accused of "aggressively" moving towards mass redundancies and cost-cutting after benefiting from the public funding system.

The first in a series of strikes at Dublin's British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM Institute) got underway on Monday, with the actions set to continue Tuesday, Saturday and again into next week.

The dispute at the music college, which counts members of acclaimed Irish bands such as Fontaines DC and The Murder Capital amongst its past students, have been prompted by its plans for collective staff redundancies.

The private college has formal ties to Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), which outsources the management of the commercial music course to BIMM. 

Last week, lecturers voted unanimously for strike action in response to BIMM management’s plans to cut jobs, restructure teaching roles, and introduce freelance contracts. A significant number of jobs are expected to be lost as part of the restructure. 

Union concerns

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has raised concerns over the college's proposed new model, which it says leaves staff in a far more precarious position. Pay has also emerged as a major issue in the dispute. 

The IFUT also claims that BIMM management has refused to engage in “meaningful” discussions with IFUT or confirm participation in talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

"Its TU Dublin's degree that they contract out to BIMM," said Robert McNamara, assistant general secretary of IFUT. "Almost all of the students in BIMM, almost 500 students, are TU Dublin students. 

If you are going to take public money, then you should act in line with employment practices which are in keeping with those in the public sector, and attend the WRC and the Labour Court.

The WRC asked IFUT if it would be prepared to engage, which it said it would, he added. "No word as to whether the college has replied to the same request." 

A spokeswoman for BIMM Music Institute Dublin said it has partnered with TU Dublin since 2012. "This information is publicly available on BIMM and TUD’s websites and in course descriptions." 

BIMM does not recognise IFUT or any other trade union as representing its lecturers, she added.

“We have complied fully with all employment law and obligations throughout this consultation process. We have been consulting with lecturers, either through their elected employee representative or on an individual basis and will continue to do so until the consultation period closes. 

"If any lecturer refers an employment rights issue to the WRC for adjudication, we will of course fully engage in that process.”