Threatened nursery is a 'victim of Glasgow colleges merger'
Student parents demanding a review of the planned closure of a Glasgow college nursery held a mass rally on Monday to lobby the college graduation ceremony (9 November).
The Thistle Street nursery at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies was due to be axed in July (News, 5 August). Its baby room was shut down in September and 19 jobs remain under threat.
Staff have sent in a request for an equality impact assessment, as required under gender equality legislation.
Scott Donohoe, assistant branch secretary at Glasgow Unison, said, 'They are only doing the assessment now because we've asked for it. Clearly they haven't done their homework on how this will affect the college - they've just acted from a management principle. If they try to delay it now, we'll lodge a complaint with the Scottish Equality and Human Rights Commission.'
He added, 'We are using this public event to draw attention to the apppalling decision by the college to close its nursery and withdraw a service from students and staff. It is clear this service cut has been driven by the prospective merger of city colleges, and it shows that this merger does not have any affordable childcare arrangements for staff and students. Parents should have a right to support to help them continue with their studies.'
Unison has made a Freedom of Information request for information on how the college and others involved in the merger reached their decision.
The union is also protesting as part of its joint campaign with the National Union of Students and the University and College Union to halt the recent tide of campus childcare closures.
Unison called off planned industrial action on 20 August in return for a commitment to a joint review.
Mr Donohoe said, 'We're disappointed with the board and management of the college. They made a commitment for a joint review with Unison and the staff in July this year. They reneged on that promise, and people's jobs and childcare are at risk.
'At the rally we'll be handing out information and leaflets to students and hopefully getting them involved.'
Parent Gordon Young was forced to remove his children from the nursery after the baby room was closed.
He said, 'The standard of care was fantastic. It's a big loss to the city, as this was an educational resource. The nursery is a victim of the merger. The college's strategy was to undermine a bit of the nursery to facilitate the move towards the whole closure.
'It's social vandalism, because it is such a strong resource.'
