A dispute that led to teachers at BIMM music college striking for several days earlier this month has been resolved with workers voting – “by a massive majority” according to their union – to accept a deal.
Assistant General Secretary of the trade union Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) Robert McNamara said the outcome was “a huge victory for staff, won through determination, bravery, and collective action”.
He said the win “would not have been possible without the extraordinary solidarity shown by students, political representatives, and fellow trade unions” and that the role played by TU Dublin in resolving the dispute should also be acknowledged.
As the strike began, RTÉ News reported that the vast bulk of students attending BIMM were enrolled on a four-year degree course outsourced to the private college by TU Dublin.
Mr McNamara said the strong support received from political parties and the wider trade union movement had sent a powerful message that precarious employment in higher education must be challenged at every turn.
The college said that agreement had been reached on a revised proposal following positive and constructive discussions with lecturers.
It said the key elements of the revised proposal were that no compulsory redundancies would be made, and that all lecturers would be offered the opportunity to remain on their current contracts with the same terms that they currently enjoy.
It said elements that remained from the original proposal included the offer to 20 lecturers of “permanent, salaried roles, providing financial stability and job security”, an increase in hourly rates for hourly paid lecturers, and greater flexibility in contracts.
