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News Archives

What is Happening to Your USS Pension?

Published: 8th September, 2021

Summary of USS pension issues  The scheme *appears* to have a big deficit – mainly because the last valuation was done when the stock market was at a deep low because of the COVID pandemic. The market has rebounded, so an updated valuation would show that USS is a healthy scheme. But the USS trustees…

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Phase 2: How Many Redundancies is Seven?

Published: 20th August, 2021

On 3 August Nishan Canagajarah announced phase 2 of ‘shaping for excellence’. In an email to all University staff, he stated: ‘The exact net reduction will depend on the outcome of the selection and consultation processes that will take place over the next few months. However, we know that this will not be more than…

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Dispute Alleviation Offer, 9 August 2021

Published: 11th August, 2021

This is the text of the dispute “alleviation” offer debated by members at Leicester UCU’s EGM on 9 August 2021. 58.5% of members in attendance voted to accept this offer, a decision communicated to the Executive Board before 4pm on 9 August 2021, and acknowledged and accepted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in writing on 10…

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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…

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Open Letter to Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester

Published: 14th July, 2021

14 July 2021 Dear Professor Canagarajah We are deeply disappointed that having attended one dispute resolution meeting – on 20 May 2021 at our express invitation – you have elected to stay away from subsequent meetings. Nevertheless, we assume that the deputy vice-chancellor is keeping you fully briefed. At the most recent such meeting, on…

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The Global Academic Boycott: An Explainer for Prof. Edmund Burke

Published: 25th June, 2021

During a dispute resolution meeting on 23 June 2021, your Deputy Vice-Chancellor Edmund Burke wondered why National UCU had launched a global academic boycott against the University of Leicester on 4 May 2021. Specifically, he was unsure whether other university employers who are busy trying to make staff redundant have also been subject to an…

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The Rep Newsletter, No. 5

Published: 14th June, 2021

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History External Examiner Resignation

Published: 14th June, 2021

Dr Gerhard Wolf, Senior Lecturer in History and Director of Doctoral Studies in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities at the University of Sussex, resigns as University of Leicester’s external examiner in history, saying he is ‘disturbed’ by the executive board’s unwillingness to listen to criticism and consult meaningfully with staff. His full letter…

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The Rep Newsletter, No. 4

Published: 11th June, 2021

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The Rep Newsletter, No . 3

Published: 10th June, 2021

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