Executives from a Scottish university seeking to cut 100 jobs have been criticised for holding an away day at a luxury hotel.
The meeting, attended by key members of the leadership team at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), will be held at the exclusive Hotel Du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens, in Glasgow’s west end.
Rooms at the hotel cost up to £395 a night and former guests have included Madonna, Robbie Williams, Bruce Springsteen and George Clooney.
READ MORE: University of the West of Scotland cuts jobs amidst funding crisis
The event, which will be attended by Steve Olivier, the deputy principal, and a team of 13 executives and academic leaders, includes lunch and will cost in the region of £500.
It comes just weeks after the university opened a voluntary severance scheme for staff in a bid to save an estimated £10 million.
Mary Senior, Scotland official from the UCU union, said: “With the university looking to make savings and lose up to 100 employees, no doubt staff and students will wonder why senior managers will be spending an away day and eating at one of Glasgow’s most exclusive hotels.
“Of course managers should be spending time focusing on strategic priorities, but to do so in such salubrious surroundings doesn’t really send the right message to staff who are worried about their jobs.”
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, which also represents UWS staff, said: “We are disappointed the university has chosen to run this event as it is seeking to make lecturing staff redundant.
“While the event itself may incorporate legitimate management activity, questions must be asked over the decision to hold it at such an exclusive venue at a time when the university is seeking to make cost savings.”
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A UWS spokesman said it was common practice to host events in external venues and third-party sponsorship was secured so the venue came at no cost to the university.
He said: “This meeting, scheduled for many months, has been planned to provide time for a new team to discuss and agree on long-term objectives for the university and how that team will play its part in delivering those.”
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