SIPTU and IFUT have expressed outrage at the refusal by management at NUI Galway to attend a meeting at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to discuss an equality taskforce it has appointed.

Union members have expressed astonishment that a publicly funded institution would choose to disregard the State's industrial relations machinery. They stated that they have no confidence in the management appointed ‘gender equality task force’ and believe it will be neither independent nor effective.

SIPTU Organiser, Noel Maguire, said: “Both unions are ready to discuss all the issues using the LRC conciliation process. If the NUI Galway President is serious about ending discrimination and is genuine about co-operating with unions, then agreeing to attend the LRC would restore some semblance of confidence.”

SIPTU and IFUT have also called for the intervention of the Minister for Education, Jan O'Sullivan, to resolve the dispute.