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Analysis and Opinion

University of Leicester Staff Survey 2022:
Damage Limitation or a Time for Genuine Change?

Published: 14th September, 2022

The results of the 2022 staff survey are a cause of concern for Leicester University branch of the University and College Union (UCU)—and should be a wake-up call to the executive board and University Council. The UCU wants the university to be a thriving and inclusive learning community. In light of this, we examine some…

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Picket Post: What We Can Do

Published: 23rd March, 2022

In this next edition of the Picket Post, one Leicester UCU member explores why we are striking, why it matters to them, to all of us, and how we can help make a difference. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This…

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Picket Post: Manageable Workloads

Published: 21st March, 2022

One of the four fights concerns workload, and the rising pressures on staff in recent years. In this next edition of Picket blog posts, we focus on what manageable workloads look like, and why they are important to the Four Fights dispute. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any…

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Picket Post: Casualisation

Published: 28th February, 2022

In this next edition of our new series of Picket blog posts, one Leicester UCU member reflects on their experience of casualisation. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This may be a reflection of a particular day’s picketing, or a wider…

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Picket Post: At Breaking Point

Published: 22nd February, 2022

In this next edition of our new series of Picket blog posts, one Leicester UCU member reflects on why they feel so devalued, demotivated, and have been pushed to breaking point. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This may be a…

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Picket Post: Why I’m Striking

Published: 16th February, 2022

In this first edition of our new series of Picket blog posts, one Leicester UCU member reflects on why they’re striking. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This may be a reflection of a particular day’s picketing, or a wider reflection…

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VC’s email – with feedback

Published: 29th April, 2021

On 28 April, the Vice-Chancellor wrote to all employees of the University. His message is below, with our commentary.

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Pay deductions, ASOS and what it means to negotiate

Published: 28th April, 2021

Email sent to all members of Leicester UCU, 28 April 2021. On 26 April, we received a letter from Deputy Vice-Chancellor Edmund Burke outlining the Executive Board’s provisional approach to deducting pay from UCU members undertaking Action Short of a Strike (ASOS), due to commence on 4 May. His letter expresses disappointment that we did…

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Leicester UCU in 2 – April 16

Published: 16th April, 2021

At our AGM on 14 April, branch members overwhelming passed the following motion, calling for the greylisting of University of Leicester. In this week’s 2-minute video blog, Deirdre O’Sullivan, former vice-chair who has been supporting many at-risk members, reflects on the damage being inflicted on the University by the current redundancy processes, and explains why…

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Long-term liabilities at the University of Leicester

Published: 2nd April, 2021

We have claimed that the University of Leicester is ‘on the verge of bankruptcy’. This claim is based on our reading of the 2019/20 financial statements, that were published (several weeks later than usual) in early March, and on other publicly-available financial information, e.g. University executives’ decision to increase short-term borrowing from the Bank of…

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