A dignified appointment

Over the last few weeks, I have been having quite a few educational chats with a fellow trade unionist.

Which is rather appropriate as he’s a member of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS).

He and his colleagues at the City of Glasgow College are in dispute over proposed cuts.

I was especially interested when he told me of the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the poorly run organisation.

None other than Mr Andrew Dickson, late of Rangers and Sevco.

As regular readers will know, he descended the Marble Staircase for the last time due to root and branch changes instigated by the Transcendental Chairman.

In my conversations with him, my EIS contact stated that there was some scepticism among the striking staff as to whether or not Mr Dickson was suitably qualified for the position of CFO.

I tried to assuage his concerns and stated that the senior Ibrox functionary had always been, like the breakfast at Auchenhowie, world-class.

Well, my EIS contact reached out again tonight, and he related a presentation that the ex-Blue Room brother gave today, Tuesday, 24 October, on the City Campus at 1530 hours.

The chap who served both Ibrox clubs was standing up before the Local Negotiating Committee meeting between EIS-FELA and College senior management.

My guy stated that Mr Dickson’s proffered wisdom was only “two pages of PowerPoint with minimal details. Three slides if you count the title page. It was communicated to Branch members at the EIS meeting immediately at 1630 hours.

“It really was amateur hour! The slides contained not a jot of detailed info. The previous financial guy provided more detail – even if we disagreed with his figures. The new CFO looked as if he had been coached. And the Depute Principal kept intervening to save him.”

I asked the EIS guy the Depute Principal’s name.

Dr. Sheila Lodge…

For the avoidance of doubt, I wish Mr Dickson every success in his new position.