Irish Federation of University Teachers » Disciplinary procedures

Labour Court recommendation represents historic victory for academic freedom

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:47:48 +0000

IFUT has warmly welcomed a Recommendation from the Labour Court that disciplinary warnings against a University Academic who had been punished for not following orders regarding his Research Plans should be quashed and expunged from his employment record.

The Labour Court also recommended (LCR 19466) that the university, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), should “proceed as swiftly as possible to reach an agreement” with IFUT on a new, agreed approach to Academic Research.

The case, which has been in progress since Autumn 2007, was better known in academic circles internationally than it was in Ireland. This was because the issue in dispute was recognised by international unions representing university staff as being hugely significant for the right of such staff to keep freedom of control over their own research.

For details on the background to the case, see the IFUT Press Release.

Supreme Court Rules on Case Involving Professor in UCC

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:35:41 +0000

The Supreme Court has made a Judgement in a case regarding threatened disciplinary action against a Professor in UCC.

The Judgement has interesting implications regarding tenure for university staff.

The full text of the judgement is available here (Members only).

IFUT succeeds in overturning disciplinary warning against Member in TCD

admin — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:51:05 +0000

A Rights Commissioner has upheld IFUT’s claim that a formal written warning issued to one of its members in TCD must be quashed because the College Procedures were flawed and unfair.

IFUT argued successfully that so-called “Witness Statements” had not been signed until 10 months after they were written up. It was also held to be unacceptable that IFUT was not afforded an opportunity to confront or question the alleged “Witnesses”.

The Rights Commissioner has pointed out that TCD’s Disciplinary Procedures need to be revised to take account of the Statutory Code of Practice on Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures.