We are writing to highlight a developing and serious dispute between the UCU and UCL over the interpretation of Statute 18, the part of UCL’s Charter and Statutes intended to protect academic freedom at UCL (see Appendix below). Statute 18 places additional requirements on procedures that might lead to the dismissal of academic staff that…
Colleagues may have heard Prof Jane Hutton (Warwick) on BBC’s Today Radio Programme (link – minute 19:30-24:00). She was removed as a USS Trustee after asking questions about the valuation methodology of USS which she comments was “not of a quality I am happy with“. Prof Hutton says that The obvious question is if this is so, why…
On 2 May we wrote to you about an alarming case in College in which we said we believed Statute 18 protections of academic freedom were under threat. We reported again on 20 May that UCL had conceded that Academic Board would nominate one of the members of the Disciplinary Panel hearing the case. We continue to watch developments…
New calculations seen published on the HR website 23rd May 2019 should be ignored. It was brought to the attention of the UCL UCU Executive Committee on Thursday 23rd May 2019 that the UCL HR webpage containing redundancy calculations had been unilaterally changed, effectively substantially reducing redundancy entitlements. This change was made without informing, nor consulting…
Two weeks ago we wrote to you about an alarming case in which Statute 18 protections of academic freedom were under threat. We are writing to you today to update you on that matter ahead of today’s Special AB meeting to discuss the Visitor’s Report: Special Meeting of Academic Board 3-5pm, Monday 20 May Chemistry Auditorium XLG2 Christopher…
The AGM will be held in Jeffery Hall, IoE, and a buffet lunch will be provided from 12.30pm This is an excellent opportunity to meet UCU colleagues from across UCL, discuss events over the preceding year and plan for forthcoming challenges. Please e-mail ucu@ucl.ac.uk if you would be interested in being nominated for election to a Branch Officer…
Two ways to engage with what is happening to your pension (explained below): * Have your say in the UCL consultation on how UCL should respond to the USS offer (ideally by 5pm today, Wed 15 May); * Join the Lobby of USS on Friday 17 May. Responding to the UCL consultation on USS The USS…
It is our duty to inform colleagues of serious and ongoing issues regarding governance and academic freedom at UCL. This matter concerns: We write to you now, because we believe that the Statute 18 Tribunal Panel that UCL senior management have unilaterally appointed in this case has been constructed to guarantee an outcome whereby that…
This is a calling notice for an UCL UCU General Meeting on Thursday 2 May, Christopher Ingold G21 Ramsay LT, 1-2pm, Chemistry Building. Please put this date in your diary. This meeting is open to all members. Items to discuss at the meeting: We will need to debate what UCU should do about both of these disputes. Further…
An employment tribunal unanimously determined that UCL had breached laws on victimisation of trade unionists In 2017, UCL UCU Branch Secretary Tony Brown was subject to a disciplinary sanction by UCL for setting up an email list on behalf of union reps in ISD, in his capacity as a union rep. Despite local representations and…
