Reports by Heather Rawling, Emi Mise and Steve Score
At the UCU University of Leicester picket line against cuts in courses and jobs, geologist Gawen Jenkin spoke movingly about the trauma of job losses on staff. As Gawen said: “Geography, Geology and Environment are losing 9 people, and there are 12 remaining. So that’s a huge chunk. Some are really traumatised by this. It’s not just about loss of income: We’re talking about loss of everything that makes you an academic.
“You can be a research leader, a great grant winner – the university says, you’re no longer wanted here.
“You can win awards from the university and be lauded by them – the university says we no longer want you.
“You can be a great teacher, loved by the students. The university doesn’t care – the university no longer wants you now.
“You can receive a letter, praising you on exemplary long service record for the university. They no longer want you.”
A second year Geography student told Gawen that of all the optional modules for the final year of her degree, only one is confirmed running next year.
UCU member Emi Mise reported: “We couldn’t stop the closure of Modern Languages. Everybody will be gone. Officially, there are no compulsory redundancies because they will be going on voluntary severance scheme (VSS). But they are not really going voluntarily. They are keeping a few staff for the next three years to teach out the remaining students.”
In all, 50 academic staff are leaving on ‘Voluntary Severance Pay’. The sacking of professional services staff is still going on.
UCU members argue it has been anything but voluntary for most of them.
However, without the determination of UCU members taking industrial action, including strike action, the situation would have been far worse. University management know, because of the courageous campaign against redundancies that any attacks on staff pay, conditions or jobs will be met with opposition from the union.
What is happening at the University of Leicester is being repeated at universities around the country. A nationally coordinated struggle where university staff strike together is what is needed. The TUC should name the date for an anti-austerity demo.
- UCU members at University of Leicester will be on strike again next Monday
