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THE LECTURERS AND management of BIMM Music Institute Dublin are working towards a resolution following the commencement of strike action against a preposed restructure earlier this month.
The proposed restructuring would have seen many existing lecture roles replaced by a small number of senior positions alongside freelance Associate Lecturer contracts.
The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) warned that the introduction of the proposed freelance model “removes job security, employment protections, and stable hours”. It would also result in earning reductions for lecturers, it said.
A letter sent by BIMM management to alumni and industry contacts at the time insisted that this was not the case.
Students of the institute, which has educated numerous Irish musicians including Grammy-nominated band Fontaines D.C. and The Murder Capital, have staged protests against the proposed restructuring.
Yesterday, BIMM and the IFUT announced that they are working towards a resolution.
In a statement by the IFUT, a representative said, “The overwhelming public support for a fair resolution to the BIMM dispute—from students, opposition TDs, other trade unions, and indeed, the Taoiseach himself—has been instrumental in driving progress.
“Since the commencement of industrial action last week, IFUT has engaged with key stakeholders, including TU Dublin, in pursuit of a just outcome.”
The spokesperson said that some “positive developments” have emerged from discussions, including that no roles will be made compulsorily redundant, and staff will be offered the opportunity to remain on their current contracts with the same terms they currently have.
In a separate press release, BIMM Dublin said that 20 lecturers will be offered permanent, salaried positions, and the remaining 33 lecturers will be offered the opportunity to remain on their current contracts with the same terms they currently enjoy.
“While these are important steps forward, significant issues remain unresolved,” the IFUT spokesperson continued.
Industrial action is continuing today, and IFUT has not revised plans for further action due to take place next week.
IFUT Assistant General Secretary Robert McNamara said that they are hopeful a resolution can be found, but that there are “key outstanding issues”.
“Our members have shown remarkable solidarity, and their determination has driven the progress made so far. However, we are not there yet.”
CEO & Vice-Chancellor at BIMM University David Jones-Owen said that the university has listened to concerns and questioned raise and hope changes made to the restructure will address them.
“Our lecturers are an incredibly important part of our community, acting as both teachers and mentors for our students. We remain committed to supporting them fully and now look forward to continuing discussions to find a resolution,” he said.
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Has anyone noticed anything different since they’ve been on strike?
@Brian Hunt: I noticed a huge reduction in woke left wing BS from students. So all good.
@Brian Hunt: are you a student there, or maybe a lecturer? Or on the board of management, maybe? You know, do you have skin in the game? – because if you don’t, then the strikers aren’t looking to impact you
@Kevin Kerr: Is that so?
@Brian Hunt: yes
@Kevin Kerr: If BIMM are in receipt of taxpayers money then we all have skin in the game. Having said that it doesn’t really affect me or the majority, as management have backed down we will see if they overreached with their proposals or if there is a funding issue there in the next couple of years. If there is a funding crisis then it shows management were right and no further tax funds should be used to prop it up.
@The next small thing: indeed, though I understand that the college does not receive state funding, although some students might. Nevertheless, the strike impacts those related to the college, so students, lecturers, board, funders etc, not the general public, like in, for example, a public transport of utility strike
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: the left support Metzitzah B’peh
@Kevin Kerr: You don’t say?
@087 bed: Yea, coz everyone knows that music schools are a hot bed of cultural philosophy. Muppet.
Power to the workers.
@Tony: too right… left-wing liberals employed by the state need more protection.
@Del Ray: they’re not employed by the state, BIMM is a privately owned English company.
@JoeJoe Kilbride: I’m enjoying greatly watching lantern jaws not realise its a private business. Beautiful
@JoeJoe Kilbride: we British have much to be proud of.
@Del Ray: not the brightest are ya? lol.
For the sake of Music and our Musician’s where their outlets are fast disappearing hope there’s a settlement
zelensky wants a United Europe army
How about he lay off the coke fest him and his neo N a zi army
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: Fatphobic everyone
@Darragh Mcnamara: putin’s the Nazi incel boi. Would you like naan with that?
@Darragh Mcnamara: stop with the bs.
Send back all fake IPAS. Look at what happened in Germany and Austria, Ireland is next. St Patrick will be a blood bath.
@Alex: yup. At this point it’s time we told them all to leave.
have your say