MHKs Uproar At College Refectory Job Cuts

Two MHK’s have voiced their outrage over the Education and Children Minister Eddie Teare’s move to sack 16 long serving staff from the refectory of the Isle of Man College.

It’s outspoken Douglas North MHK’s Bill Henderson and John Houghton who have slammed the decision calling it a complete U Turn on what the Minister had previously said in the newspaper, where he stated he was aiming to avoid cost cutting exercises.

The staff were informed on Tuesday that as of the end of the Summer Term their contracts may be terminated.

Bill Henderson has referred to the move as a stitch up by what he describes as a megalomaniac Minister, who in his words has a history of trying to shut down businesses.

In response to this Mr Teare has said the refectory is the only area within the Isle of Man College operating at a deficit. Over the past five years the deficit has increased, largely due to increasing staffing costs.
 
He said there’s been no alternative but to outsource the operation, in which case, while there would be redundant posts, every effort would be made to redeploy staff in order to avoid job losses.

Here is the statement regarding Isle of Man College refectory..
 
The Department of Education and Children is, like the rest of the Isle of Man Government, having to make considerable financial savings across all areas of its operation and it has already identified savings in a number of areas.

The Isle of Man College refectory is the only area within the Isle of Man College operating at a deficit. Over the past five years the deficit has increased, largely due to increasing staffing costs. Its deficit for the last financial year, even with the income from sales and free meals reclaim totalling £240,551, was £137,000. Its predicted deficit for the current financial year is £182,365.  

The Department is commencing consultation with refectory employees and their unions as to how the deficit can be eliminated and a situation brought about whereby the facility could operate at no cost to the taxpayer. 

Unfortunately, it may be that there is no alternative but to outsource the operation, in which case, while there would be redundant posts, every effort would be made to redeploy staff in order to avoid job losses.

Department officers this week met the 16 refectory employees in relation to this and they were told that the Department will welcome any suggestions that the staff and/or their unions have for avoiding redundancies whilst eliminating the deficit. The consultation period will end on Friday 30 July 2010.