Sheffield University: 'Scandalous' new row with unions over teaching time for students
A new row has broken out between Sheffield University and a lecturers’ union, over teaching time given to students.
The University and College Union (UCU) has condemned what it describes as a ‘lockout’ and withholding of staff pay, following strikes late last year, and called for the resignation of vice-chancellor, Koen Lamberts.
Staff at the university took 16 days of strike action in November and December over job cuts in professional service staff and further plans to cut jobs in academic areas.
Now staff have been told if they do not reschedule any teaching lost during the strike, for which staff were not paid, they will also lose pay.
The unions says wages would be withheld between January 19 and February 6 and any work undertaken regarded as voluntary.
And the UCU says over 900 students have this week signed an open letter to Sheffield’s vice-chancellor, Mr Lamberts, saying they have lost confidence in him and calling on him to resign.
Union general secretary Jo Grady said: ”There is no justification for the threatened job cuts at the University of Sheffield, especially when there are other options available, and staff should not have been forced into strike action.
”For management to now threaten staff with withholding pay, on top of the pay lost for lawful industrial action, is nothing short of scandalous. Telling staff that, if they do not make up the work lost during the strike, for which they were not paid, that their pay will be docked further, is just not on. Sheffield management should get back round the table and work with us to save jobs.”
The university says it wants staff to replace teaching that was disrupted because of the strike, so students receive the teaching they were expecting, which it says follows Office for Students expectations.
A spokesman for the University of Sheffield said: “We respect the right of staff members to strike and understand this decision is not taken lightly. However, staff who take strike action are not fulfilling their contractual duties and, because of this, will not be paid for the days they do not work. This is standard practice in any sector.
“If staff choose not to replace teaching that was disrupted because of the strike action, they are not fulfilling their contractual duties and so pay will be withheld in line with our long established policy.
“Our approach follows Office for Students expectations for institutions during industrial action that we are expected to adhere to and is focused on ensuring students receive the education they are entitled to with minimal disruption.”