The Robert Gordon University has recently been consulting UNISON on proposals to dramatically increase car parking charges.
We would like to thank all our members who took part in the consultation by providing feedback and attending meetings over the proposals. Taking into account all the information from our members, the branch were of the opinion that the proposals in their original form were not going to achieve the objective of reducing car travel, and at the same time would significantly increase costs to members of staff trying to get to work. UNISON submitted a detailed report to the University as part of the consultation and asked that the proposals be reconsidered.
We are very pleased to be able to tell our members that the University has listened to our consultation feedback, and as a consequence has revised their original proposal.
The increase in permit prices this year will be half of what was originally planned, keeping it in line with inflationary increases missed over the past few years – as UNISON had suggested. The University has also invited us to engage in further consultation, beginning in September on the issues we have raised regarding transport, and also issues that the University wishes to discuss with us, such as permit allocation procedures.
We think this is a positive step forward, and UNISON remains committed to promoting sustainable transport arrangements for all staff and students, whilst ensuring that travel to and from the Garthdee campus does not become so expensive as to be unaffordable.
Thanks once again, and we’ll keep you up-to-date on future consultations.