Published: 18th July, 2018
Here are four reasons why you should care and fight!
[see Note below]
1. It’s an opportunity to promote justice and support affected colleagues
Colleagues at risk of redundancy are not situated in ‘under-performing’ areas. (The language of ‘under-performance’ is problematic and in many meetings with managers UCU has been demonstrating it is not defensible.) Individuals who are at risk have strong track records, are making ongoing contributions to research (both publications and grant capture), teaching and ‘leadership’ or ‘service’. Our work is well-integrated into the University’s teaching and research portfolios and creates the backbone for the University. This is evidence that our senior managers’ decisions are ill-conceived, short-sighted and are forcing the institution onto an ever more heinous and destructive path.
2. You could be next
This is only the beginning. The University Leadership Team plans numerous ‘business cases’ for redundancies. Many current cases will be refuted, but others will be drafted. It is potentially a never-ending ‘game’. If we stand together we can fight it. If we fragment we can easily end up more isolated and more fearful.
3. You will have to pick up the extra work of colleagues who leave the University
There is no avoiding it – there is still a great deal of work to be done for the institution to ‘function’. Even in the ‘best case’ that cheaper labour is bought in as replacement, a great deal of experience and expertise will be lost. Those of us who remain will have to provide it.
4. Morale and our University’s reputation will decline further
Senior managers’ attacks on staff will have adverse consequences – both direct and indirect – for years to come. The University of Leicester will continue to plummet in the various rankings. Staff goodwill and collegiality will continue to degrade. Long-term effects to your employer, and you by extension, will be unavoidable. Many of the ‘leaders’ responsible will look to move ‘onwards and upwards’: the rest of us will be left to pick up their pieces. Only a concerted effort by University of Leicester colleagues can change this trajectory.
Note: This is an amended version of this article which has been approved by the LUCU Communications Panel. Please disregard the previous posting on July 16th which was not approved
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