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Redundancy Briefing

Published: 3rd March, 2021

On 18 January – the first day of second semester teaching and also ‘Blue Monday’ – 145 staff at the University of Leicester were informed they were at risk of redundancy. Staff are threatened in five academic departments – English; Business; Informatics; Mathematics & Actuarial Science; and Neuroscience, Psychology & Behaviour – and three professional…

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Indicative ballot update

Published: 2nd March, 2021

A substantial majority of Leicester UCU members participated in the consultative ballot on industrial action, which closed on 26th February 2021. Of those that voted, an overwhelming majority said they were prepared to take both strike action and action short of a strike in order to defend livelihoods at the University of Leicester. The branch…

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This is not normal! (Which side are you on?)

Published: 2nd March, 2021

graphic showing opposition to executive board's redundancy

[Updated: 4 March.] Nishan Canagarajah and his executive board have repeated claimed that the overwhelming opposition to their plans is ‘normal’. Judge for yourself whether this looks normal. If you’ve expressed a view which isn’t recorded here, please get in touch, as we’re constantly updating the graphic. We want to know, which side are you…

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On the 2019–20 accounts…

Published: 1st March, 2021

Cover of 2019/20 financial statements with "We are citizens short of change" text

Earlier today the University of Leicester executive finally published its financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2020. Normally, universities must publish their accounts in mid-January. Although the Office for Students sanctioned an extension of the deadline this year – because of COVID – our employer was still one of few not able to…

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Love and solidarity – from a former colleague

Published: 26th February, 2021

Solidarity heart

A year ago (tomorrow) two Leicester UCU reps wrote a thank you letter to everyone in the branch for their contribution to collective action. In the history of this branch, I don’t there’s ever been a more appropriate time to pause and repeat this sentiment: to thank members of the branch and their wider family…

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