A blip on the journey to creating a technological university for the South
That's how the President of WIT has described the rejection by TUI members in IT Carlow of proposals to progress the process.
The WIT branch endorsed the proposed Memorandum of Understanding by 92.7 percent but the IT Carlow Branch rejected it by 60 percent.
Willie Donnelly says the TUI nationally remain committed to agreement reached between both sides last week.
He also says it is not an option for them to go it alone in upgrading to Technological University.
Fianna Fail Cllr Eamon Quinlan said the government should change the legislation to allow Waterford proceed independently.
President of WIT Willie Donnelly says they will proceed with IT Carlow.
Meanwhile the WIT branch secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland says while they are ready, to engage with the proposed technological university
the same is not the case in IT Carlow.
They overwhelmingly accepted proposals hammered out between both the Union and Management at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Kathleen Moore Walsh says Carlow have not engaged in the process. She says this is unprecedented in any of the consortia that have come together to form a TU.
STATEMENT FROM WIT
Following today's positive TUI ballot result the institute expresses absolute delight at the level of support academic staff at WIT have shown in support of the technological university.
We would like to thank our academic staff for their support of the MoU. This is a major statement of commitment and we will continue to work very hard with our partner IT Carlow to deliver a technological university for the south east.
STATEMENT FROM IT CARLOW
An agreement reached with local, regional and national TUI representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission on the Technological University of South East Ireland (TUSEI) Project, has been rejected by members of the TUI following a ballot of members.
A spokesperson for Institute of Technology Carlow said:
"While the Technological Universities Act 2018 provides for full protection of existing terms and conditions of employment, the TUI have sought further assurances through the establishment of an agreed MOU (memorandum of understanding) to outline a structure for dealing with industrial relations issues at each stage of the TUSEI process.
Following extensive discussions with management over an eight-month period, involving local, regional and national TUI representatives, agreement was reached on an MOU between all parties on the 11th June at the WRC. It is therefore disappointing to learn that the MOU has been rejected following a ballot of TUI members.
Based on international experience in higher education mergers, it is not unusual for projects like this to face industrial relations challenges. These arise from differing work practices, operating models and expectations across merging institutes that have evolved as independent entities over many decades. Many of the issues identified for harmonisation in the new TUSEI are complex and multi-faceted, impacting not only on members of the TUI, but also on learners, all staff and external stakeholders. The TUSEI project has provided for this by putting in place a change programme, designed in conjunction with independent consultants PWC, to address harmonisation matters in a consultative, planned, deliberate and phased manner, both pre and post- merger and designation.
There is an obligation, as publicly owned and funded institutions, to ensure that the future Technological University is in a position to be on a financially sound footing, operating to the highest standards of governance.
The Institute's Governing Body will consider this development, together with other related TUSEI matters, at its scheduled meeting at the end of this month".
REACTION FROM WATERFORD SINN FEIN TD DAVID CULLINANE
Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has commended staff at WIT for their overwhelming support to move the Technological University of the South East a step closer.
He said the extensive engagement between staff and management at the institute was constructive and has delivered a very strong outcome. However he expressed deep regret that staff at IT Carlow have rejected a ballot to move both institutes forward in forging a new and bright future.
Speaking today Deputy Cullinane said:
"I am an enthusiastic supporter of a Technological University for the Southeast. I try at all times to think and act regionally and in the interests of all of the people who live in the Southeast.
"The region needs a University. It needs to operate on a level playing field with a University of International Standing and one that can drive economic growth.
"WIT is a first class institute of technology. It has all the ingredients necessary to transition to a University. It has ambition for the people of Waterford and the Southeast. The staff at WIT recognize the importance of regional cohesion and economic development.
"Today's ballot is a massive endorsement from the staff at WIT that they wish to see the Southeast progress socially, economically and educationally. They want to help in realising the hopes and ambitions of people who live in the region.
"Building a new Regional University is an exciting challenge. However it is a challenge. It is about leadership. And it is about delivering change and give and take. Change is never easy. To this end WIT has stepped up to the plate.
"However I am deeply disappointed that staff at IT Carlow have rejected the ballot. I respect their right to do so. It is important that politicians and stakeholders in Waterford do not knee jerk in our response. We must listen to their concerns and move forward together.
"However no one institute can block progress in the same way no one institute can deliver in splendid isolation. I am encouraged by the result of the Waterford ballot and I see the glass as half full. Delivery of a first class, Technological University for the region and one of International standing must remain our goal and must be delivered."
REACTION FROM FIANNA FAIL TD MARY BUTLER
It has emerged today that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with management regarding the TUSEI project has been rejected by the branch members of IT Carlow.
Commenting following the news, Local Fianna Faíl TD, Mary Butler said, "The fact that this Memorandum had finally been agreed last week following six tough months of negotiations was a positive step in the right direction.
"Perhaps that it why today's news that the memo has been rejected by the IT Carlow Branch is even more disappointing for the South East. We had made progress but now regrettably we've encountered a roadblock.
"The very clear majority of the WIT branch came out and backed this and their turnout demonstrated the absolute importance of the TUSE. Some 13,000 students leave our region each week to study in the likes of Cork, Limerick and Dublin. Giving these students and those coming up behind them that are hoping to take up third level, an alternative option to study in the South East needs to remain our focus.
"This latest development in the challenge to establish a TU in our region can be resolved, I am optimistic about that. Our commitment to seeing TUSEI happen is important now more than ever. Getting the memorandum over the line with majority support from the IT's and Union involved will now likely take more time and patience than originally anticipated but I'm confident we will do it."
