Response to proposal to Council regarding redundancies
The University of Leicester branch of UCU is extremely disappointed by the Vice-Chancellor’s message to staff, announcing that he will be asking Council to approve a proposal to increase the University’s operating surplus (£9 million in 2010-11 - "an excellent result" according to the University Treasurer) by reducing staff numbers through redundancy. UCU nationally has a policy of absolutely opposing compulsory redundancy, and the University branch will fight any proposals to lose jobs while spending money on building projects, with the inevitable damage to teaching, research and the student experience that job losses will cause.
We will be seeking clarification from the University of the reasons for the supposed need to "save" £2.5 million through redundancies, and will issue a further statement in the near future. A general meeting for members to discuss these proposals was held on 29th May.
