Warwick UCU raises concerns over meeting to discuss academic employment rights

The Warwick branch of the University and College Union (Warwick UCU) has raised concerns over an assembly to discuss proposed changes to employment rights of academic staff due to take place on Friday 29 June, stating on their website that the meeting being called on this date would not allow for “adequate time to debate and discuss these recommendations.”

Statute 24 is the University of Warwick’s employment statute for academic staff, which outlines workers’ rights, for example how they can be fired and made redundant, among others. At the end of the previous academic year, the University Senate wanted to make changes to the statute, which were met with strong opposition by academic staff.

The reform was pushed by vice-chancellor Stuart Croft, in order to “simplify, clarify and modernise” the University’s governing instruments.

Concerns were raised that the reform would jeopardise academic freedom and make it easier for the University to sack staff or make them redundant. In an assembly on Friday 22 May 2017, 97% of those present voted in favour of a motion to rethink the proposed changes to the statute, with no one speaking against it even after being invited to do so.

At the time, Warwick UCU president Justine Mercer said: “This is a hugely important victory. The proposals which are on the table will seriously erode job security and academic freedom.

“A university such as Warwick which aspires to be world-leading should not be undermining academic freedom and eroding the job security of the staff on whom that reputation rests.”

Following this opposition from academic staff, the University Senate resolved on 14 June 2017 to set up a sub-group to look into the changes proposed by the University and draw up a report with recommendations to the employment statute as to how to introduce changes while at the same time addressing the concerns raised by staff.

The sub-group produced interim reports in October 2017, January 2018 and March 2018. At the meeting called on Friday 29 June 2018, over which Warwick UCU raised concerns, recommendations that emerged from the final report of the sub-group are to be discussed with members of staff.

Warwick UCU made a post on social media about the meeting, stating that: “The University is eliding support for the Senate Sub Group’s paper – which discusses general principles – with support for the University’s own revised statute and ordinance, which we worry will have serious repercussions for our future working conditions.

The Sub Group’s paper clearly sets out a two stage process, whereby once accepted the paper forms the basis for subsequent revised drafts of statute and ordinance. Presenting the University’s revisions at the same time as the Sub Group’s paper makes a mockery of the process.”

Warwick UCU has been circulating an open letter asking vice-chancellor Stuart Croft to postpone the meeting in order to give staff more time to review the proposed changes.

More information about the assembly and the motions can be found here.

The University Senate is the supreme academic authority of the University. According to the University website, the Senate has the “responsibility for the academic activities of the University including all aspects of the operations of the University that have a bearing on teaching, research and the welfare, supervision and discipline of students.”

The final changes to Statute 24 would have to be approved by the University Council, which is the executive governing body of the University.

Duncan Adam, Warwick UCU vice-president, told The Boar: “Warwick UCU is concerned that the University is failing to follow proper process and thereby is misleading the Assembly.

“While the Assembly motion speaks of support for the Senate sub group’s paper, which talks about general principles, the University believe a vote to accept this motion will automatically enable the University to present their own revised statute and ordinance to Council in July. This undermines the Sub Group’s work, makes a sham of the whole process and exposes the University’s claims of transparency for what they are.

“Warwick UCU has not had time to consider the revised documents in detail, nor have we had the time to seek members’ views. A proper process would allow for the trade unions to give the proposals full scrutiny, and for changes to be made. By attempting to rush through the changes at an Assembly called on the last day of term, the university shows its contempt for the views of its staff.”

A spokesman for the University commented: “The assembly has been called in term time and is immediately after the vast majority of the exams process has concluded, enabling everyone to attend who wishes to do so.”

Update: At the meeting, members voted to adjourn the Assembly. Warwick UCU tweeted: “Members of the Assembly voted to adjourn the Statute 24 assembly this morning in order that due process in examining University recommendations for changes to statute, ordinance and policy can take actually place.

“We hope that this marks the start of meaningful consultation with UCU and that we will be given the opportunity to examine the proposals, and democratically review these with our members, before they are progressed.”