Thank You Dear Colleagues, 11 August

Published: 11th August, 2021

This is the most painful post I’ve had to write. Please take the time to read this, sincerely Alex Patel (acting Chair).

Today, Wednesday 11th August, the executive board make a further twenty-one staff redundant. We continue to call for their reinstatement.

They have done so much for our branch over the years, many as Officers, Reps and Caseworkers. All have contributed as members of both the Union and University, and many of us, myself included, have benefitted from their expertise and support. This video illustrates a small portion of their brilliance:

We owe them a debt of gratitude. Even now, they continue to inspire us through their passionate fight for justice, livelihoods and careers, and not least for the future of the University. Please add your tributes to these cherished colleagues on this twitter thread.

Thank you.

The fight to preserve academic freedom – the right for academics, and not financially-focused managers, to choose the direction of research – is one that shapes discovery, social justice and education for all of us. On behalf of LUCU, I thank our colleagues for fighting for this. They are shouldering great risk and uncertainty with courage and bravery, to challenge the ruthless management decisions to which we are all now vulnerable. Some have even declined significant voluntary severance agreements (VSS) in order to make a stand. I am proud to stand with them in this struggle and determined to do more.

We find the beauty of friendship, and the hope for a fairer workplace in our continuing struggle.

To my friends being made redundant, I would like to reassure you that we will work with you through future stages (legal or otherwise) of this fight; you are still part of our union family, and we will not forget you. We continue to demand your reinstatement, and will support you with all we have.

The executive board have not won a victory by forcing through these redundancies today; we will all lose if they continue.

Please join us for a drink and to show support at one or more of the following:

3pm at the Victoria Park picket site.
4pm at the Old Horse pub (back beer garden)
7pm on Zoom: (please check your emails for the joining link)

Finally, a colleague has dedicated a song to our colleagues and supporters.