UEG ‘threatened’ by Peaceful March on Tower Building

Connor Bertie

University staff were asked to leave the Tower Building around 2.25pm today after asking the UEG to ‘speak’ to them.

Staff members outside Principal Shane O’Neill’s office. Photo: Connor Bertie

The march began after a Union Townhall meeting that held a discussion on the ongoing financial crisis. In attendance was close to 1000 people both online and in-person, the ‘largest number in years’ it was said by union leaders.

The University Executive Group (UEG) were mentioned more often towards the end of the meeting, prompting the unions to ask if any of the 1000 people present were UEG members; however, none made themselves known. Despite Interim Principal Shane O’Neill’s statement, made during last week’s Parliamentary Education Committee, to willingly talk with students and staff through this period, they feel that he has done nothing so far to show for it.

Upon the meetings conclusion, a suggestion was made to march on the Tower building and ask to speak to a member of the UEG. Around 40 staff members then took to the streets, raising union flags and chanting what has become the motto of protest:

“six, three, two; shame on you!”

Entering the lobby, the protesters piled into the elevators and the stairwell up to the 4th floor, where the senior management offices are placed. They knocked on the office door, and simply asked to speak to someone from the UEG. However, tensions flared as campus security came out in force and blocked the door to the offices. Despite facing the same risk of redundancy, security stood firm, guarding those who may lose them their jobs.

Ironically, the same security guards were also in attendance to the Townhall meeting, and even followed the march down to campus, but were forced to “do their jobs” by senior management.

“We’ve got concerned members of staff inside,” said one campus security guard, “they’re feeling unsafe.” Soon after security made threats calls to the police, which caught many off guard.

“The university and senior management will not discuss this [financial crisis] with their staff” said Dr Carlo Morelli, addressing campus security.

“you cannot keep people’s lives on hold with the fear of redundancies”.

Campus security were then asked to relay a message to senior management, which they did, but no one emerged.

Releasing a statement, the university condemned the actions of staff, despite its peaceful nature.

Further action: the next Education Committee meeting is scheduled for after the Easter Recess, and the May Day campus Union parade is scheduled for May 3rd, in which students and staff are encouraged to attended.