To Sir Paul Grice, Senior Leadership Team and members of the University Court at Queen Margaret University The Scottish higher education funding model is failing, destabilising staff and students. The ongoing financial struggles for universities puts immense pressure on both employees and learners, leading to uncertainty and a decline in educational quality. As a result, Queen Margaret University is entering a period of significant organisational change, with restructuring, redundancies and changes to working conditions threatening…
Open petitions & letters
Vote of no confidence in the vice-chancellor at Coventry University
Why sign this petition? An unhealthy workplace The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has demanded answers from CU about workload and stress management. A recent UCU workload survey revealed that 74% of staff reported stress linked to overwork, under staffing, and constant restructuring. Reductions in leave entitlements for subsidiary staff have made matters worse. Staff mental well being has been further affected by never ending consultations and redundancies. Redundancies caused by poor management decisions Large-scale…
Save Adult Education
Adult education has a powerful and positive role in society. As well as empowering people to take charge of their lives, connecting communities and providing the skilled workers that employers need, adult education contributes to enriching our society, stimulates personal development and employability, which in turn helps reduce inequality and promote economic growth. UCU members in the Adult Education work in local government, mayoral combined authorities, FE colleges and other providers. They are highly skilled,…
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Stop compulsory redundancies at Brunel University of London
Brunel University of London management have expressed their intention to move forward with plans for further compulsory redundancies in 2025-26. This comes after a year of decimation in 2024-25, when the institution put more than a third of staff at risk of compulsory redundancy, and over 465 staff members, amounting to around 20% of the…
Hybrid working policy at QMU
We, the undersigned staff at Queen Margaret University, are concerned about the proposed introduction of a new Hybrid Working Policy at QMU from September 2025 that includes the requirement to work on campus at least 50% of the time. This policy is being introduced without adequate consideration of good working practices and the needs of…
Operate Surrey – Halt Outsourcing Plans at University of Surrey
The University of Surrey proposes to employ all new Professional Services staff through its subsidiary company: Operate Surrey: Operate Surrey – Jobs at the University of Surrey. This constitutes outsourcing work to employees of a limited company who will not benefit from the staff rights our unions fight hard for including national level pay bargaining…
Save the University of Leicester’s Glassblowing Workshop
We, the undersigned, urge the University of Leicester to immediately halt any plans to close its Glassblowing Workshop. This unique facility, is integral to the University’s research and teaching infrastructure. The workshop provides bespoke scientific glassware essential for various departments, including Chemistry, Physics, and Medicine. Its services extend beyond the University. Key reasons to preserve…
Defend jobs and education at Havant and South Downs College
Havant and South Downs College is in financial crisis and management is currently consulting with the trade unions about an organisational restructure which could lead to many teaching staff losing their jobs. Up to one-third of teachers may find themselves without a job next academic year if management proceed with the cuts. In addition to…
Save our staff at University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Language and Development (CALD)
Dear Evelyn Welch (Vice-Chancellor) cc Judith Squires (Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost) Staff at University of Bristol have been told that devastating job cuts are planned at the Centre for Academic Language and Development (CALD). We do not believe that these redundancies are justified, and we are writing to you on behalf of staff and students…