PRESS RELEASE
“Well, Is It the Same Old Line? Strike Action to Be Taken as USI Stands in Unwavering Solidarity with BIMM’s Students and IFUT, While Dispute Remains Unresolved.
Dublin, Ireland – February 5, 2025 – The Union of Students in Ireland (USI)/ AMLÉ stands in full solidarity with the students and lecturers at BIMM Music Institute Dublin, as they protest the proposed redundancy plans and wage cuts that threaten the quality of education at the prestigious college. The planned strike action, set to take place next Monday and Tuesday, February 10 and 11, by lecturers represented by the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the dispute that has shaken the campus community.
BIMM Dublin, has proposed significant cuts to its teaching staff. The proposed restructuring could see up to 35 lecturers made redundant, replacing them with more precarious freelance positions that offer lower pay, fewer benefits, and less job security. These changes threaten not only the livelihoods of the teaching staff but also the quality of education that has earned BIMM Dublin its reputation for hands-on, industry-led learning.
Chris Clifford, President of the Union of Students in Ireland USI/AMLÉ, condemned the proposed changes and voiced strong support for the strike action. The proposed redundancies and wage cuts will compromise the very thing that makes BIMM unique—the expertise, dedication, and real-world experience of its teaching staff,” and “USI stands firmly with the students and lecturers at BIMM Dublin who are fighting for the future of their education we believe that education should be accessible, equitable, and rooted in fairness. These values are core to who we are as a union, and it is these principles that guide us in standing up for the rights of students and staff alike. Lecturers at BIMM are not just teachers—they are mentors, industry professionals, and role models who shape the future of music in Ireland. If these cuts go through, it will directly affect the students’ learning experience and future prospects. USI will continue to stand with BIMM students and lecturers in their fight for a fair and sustainable future for their education.”
USI/AMLÉ Deputy President and Vice president for academic affairs Bryan O’Mahony says “We believe education should not only prepare students for a future career but also provide tools and mentorship to thrive. USI’s values center on fairness, equity, and accessible, quality education for all. The cuts proposed by BIMM threaten these values, and we stand in solidarity with IFUT’s campaign against precarious employment, calling for the end of such contracts that undermine both staff and students.”
USI/AMLÉ strongly condemns the move to replace permanent teaching positions with freelance contracts, which would leave lecturers without job security or the benefits of permanent employment. “Students and lecturers deserve better than this,” said Clifford. “These cuts must be reversed, and BIMM must prioritize the well-being of its staff and the future of its students.”
USI/AMLÉ calls on BIMM management to listen to both students and staff, and to find a solution that protects the integrity of the education offered at BIMM Dublin. The Union of Students in Ireland will continue to stand in solidarity with those affected by these proposals and calls for an immediate resolution that ensures the future of BIMM as a center of excellence in music education.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Union of Students in Ireland
Email: pr@usi.ie
Phone: +353 086 033 3942
Website: www.usi.ie
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