The prospect of industrial action by staff at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) over plans to radically restructure the university moved a step closer last night following a meeting of staff at the college.
At an extraordinary general meeting of the TCD branch of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), delegates voted unanimously to support a motion which could lead to industrial action if they are forced to merge with other departments.
As the Academic Staff Association (ASA) has signed up to the terms of the national pay deal, Sustaining Progress, this could eventually see the college taken to the Labour Court to contest any plans to restructure the college, proposed by the Provost, Dr John Hegarty.
The motion, proposed by Professor James Whiston of the Department of Hispanic Studies, stated: "That in the event of any coercive attempts to abolish departments, and/or to require members of staff to coalesce unwillingly in academic or other groupings, all the processes for the regulation of industrial relations will be examined by ASA-IFUT, and, if necessary, invoked with a view to appropriate action being taken."
Addressing the meeting, which was well attended, Prof Whiston said he believed no cogent reasons had been advanced for the proposed restructuring of the college. Furthermore, he believed departments provided a "clear focus" of loyalty and identity which could be eroded by the proposed changes.
Last week, it emerged that TCD's Law Department had rejected restructuring plans, which could see the number of faculties at the College halved, and many departments merged.
And speaking at last night's meeting, Professor Ivana Bacik, Reid Professor of Law at TCD, restated the department's decision that it would not be forced into a merger with any other department.
Last night's meeting will come as a further blow to Dr Hegarty's plans for restructuring the college. However, Dr Hegarty has defended his plans for the university, and has previously stressed that nothing has yet been decided on the matter.
But while some of those present underlined the cautious nature of the wording of the motion, it is understood that it now represents a clear mandate for IFUT to examine industrial action if necessary. Other motions passed criticised references to compulsory redundancies contained a memo from Dr Hegarty to staff, and called for a clear definition of the new structures before any possible decision is made about restructuring.