'Stand with Workers to Defend UU Jobs and Magee Expansion' - Cllr Shaun Harkin
‘The announcement of proposed redundancies has been a major blow to workers at Magee and across Ulster University’.
Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said his party would “stand with workers to defend University of Ulster jobs and the expansion of Magee’.
Mr Harkin was speaking in advance of a Special Meeting of Derry Derry City and Strabane District Council being held at 2.00pm on Tuesday (July 28, 2026), to hear from Ulster University trade union representatives regarding proposed redundancies and Magee expansion.
“I very much look forward to hearing directly from representatives from Ulster University trade unions UCU, UNITE and UNISON,” added Cllr Harkin.
“The announcement of proposed redundancies has been a major blow to workers at Magee and across Ulster University. All the Stormont Executive parties in Council backed People Before Profit's April motion calling for UU management not to push ahead with redundancies.
The gravity of the situation demands the Economy Minister and Stormont Executive outline its plan to protect jobs and the guaranteed long-awaited Magee expansion
“They also backed our call for the Economy Minister and Stormont Executive to urgently intervene to stop a jobs cull and to protect Magee expansion plans.
“We have met directly with the UU Vice Chancellor, will meet with the trade unions, but we have not yet had agreement from the Sinn Féin Economy Minister for a direct discussion with Council.
“The gravity of the situation demands the Economy Minister and Stormont Executive outline its plan to protect jobs and the guaranteed long-awaited Magee expansion. UU bosses and the Economy Minister need to listen to trade union proposals. I will be backing the trade union demand for UU to pause all redundancies and for a clear commitment that there will be no compulsory redundancies,” said Cllr Harkin.
He added: “People Before Profit also back trade union demands for Westminster and Stormont to agree a new funding model for higher education that doesn't require tuition hikes amid a cost of living crisis, that protects and enhances jobs and that ensures Magee expansion is fully followed through on."