Union backs Uni plan

The plan by the University for Derry (U4D) lobby would - it syas - treble student numbers, widen the range of courses offered at Magee, regenerate the city centre and create a graduate entry medical school based at Altnagelvin Hospital.

An Irish Congress of Trades Unions (ICTU) meeting gave its strong support for U4D's plans, which have already been backed by Derry City Council, the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and all the major political parties in the North West.

Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the ICTU said: "The U4D proposals for an expanded university in the city of Derry are optimistic and realistic. If carried through, the city centre will be regenerated through learning and the enhanced wages of decent and high-skilled jobs.

"The entire economy of the North West will receive a vital boost after months and years of job losses in manufacturing and the people of the area will finally receive the life chances they deserve after years of neglect and wasted opportunity.

Hopefully, this is one opportunity which will not be wasted."

Padraig Canavan, chair of U4D, responded: "U4D is delighted to receive this latest and very important statement of support. We are very pleased that ICTU has recognised both the opportunity to create thousands of new jobs in the North West and to increase pay in the region.

"The direct and indirect impact of university expansion is something that both trade unionists and local employers' organisation can unite in recognising will be of immense benefit."