Students union workers celebrate furlough u-turn by Queen's University Belfast

Tuesday, 15 December 2020 11:13

By Brett Campbell

By Q Radio News

Students union workers at Queen's University Belfast are celebrating a major u-turn by senior management in a row over furlough pay.

The university has agreed to backdate full furlough pay to November for casual workers and those on zero-hours contracts.

The offer has been accepted by Unite the Union members who voted overwhelmingly in favour to accept it.

Unite hospitality organiser Neil Moore said it's a ''huge result'' for staff affected at students union facilities across the campus.

''These workers had their hours cut to zero by the University, their employer, as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns but they were not re-furloughed at the end of July – leaving most with no income whatsoever,'' he explained.

“Approximately half those affected are students trying to work their way through college with many of the remainder recent University graduates.

''The behaviour of Queens University who refused to re-enrol them for furlough payments under the Government’s Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme was shocking.''

Students union workers at Queen's University Belfast are celebrating a major u-turn by management in a row over furlough pay.

The university has agreed to backdate full furlough pay for casual workers following protests earlier this month by Unite union members. pic.twitter.com/sde0KoNxPe
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 15, 2020

Mr Moore welcomed the university's new approach that comes on the back of weeks of protests which "received huge levels of support from the student body and the wider public".

"These workers demanded and won a 100 percent furlough like other trade union members across the university," he said.

“This outcome is a huge success for Unite hospitality members at Queens.

"It demonstrates yet again, the vital importance of collective organisation through a trade union.

"This is only the start of Unite hospitality’s efforts to win improvements for the casual workers in Queens and indeed across our industry."

Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has also welcomed the decision by Queen's University which he says will help protect jobs.

"The University had earlier refused to re-enroll these workers on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme despite them being eligible and despite the University enrolling other staff on the scheme," he said.

"Staff at the student union's should not have been put in this position to begin with and should have been furloughed like other university staff.

"Earlier this month I had written to the Vice Chancellor asking him to reverse this decision and I am glad to see that this has now been done.

"This decision will help ensure that these staff members many of which are students can at least have some income at this uncertain time."

The party's spokesperson for Higher and Further Education also commended Unite the Union for campaigning and representing workers.

"This outcome underlines the importance of trade unions in protecting workers," he added.

Meanwhile a QUB spokesperson said they are happy the matter has now been resolved.

"Having reviewed the guidance on the Government's new furlough scheme and following engagement between the University and Unite, we were able to reassess this decision and are pleased that this matter has been brought to a conclusion to the satisfaction of both parties."