Unions slam University of Sheffield over decision to keep campus open despite spike in Covid-19 cases

Unions representing staff at the University of Sheffield are calling on the institution to suspend all non-essential campus work which it claims is endangering the safety of staff and students.
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Unite, Unison, and the GMB union, have launched a collective grievance against the University of Sheffield on the grounds that it has failed to ensure a safe working environment for staff by keeping non-essential services open despite a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.

As of Monday, October 12, 960 students and 12 members of staff at the institution have tested positive for Covid-19.

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In a letter to Sheffield University, representatives from the three unions also claimed that staff were being asked to return to face-to-face work without valid risk assessments being in place.

Unions representing staff at the University of Sheffield are calling on the institution to suspend all non-essential campus workUnions representing staff at the University of Sheffield are calling on the institution to suspend all non-essential campus work
Unions representing staff at the University of Sheffield are calling on the institution to suspend all non-essential campus work
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They said: "It is our view that the university has failed in its duty to to ensure a safe working environment for employees, and that the decision to push ahead with non-essential face-to-face teaching and on-campus work has endangered the lives of staff, students, and the wider Sheffield community.”

Last Monday the University of Sheffield announced it would temporarily move all teaching online, with the exception of clinical teaching, until Monday, October 19 in response to an “increase in Covid-19 cases in the city and within our university community.”

However its campus, services and facilities – including student support, libraries and cafes – have remained open throughout and research activity has continued as planned.

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Unite, Unison, and the GMB union are now calling on the University of Sheffield to ‘immediately pause’ all non-essential face-to-face work and teaching until trade union safety officers are satisfied that it is safe to return.

The University of Sheffield said the wellbeing and safety of staff and students remains its top priority.

“We are incredibly grateful for those staff who have continued to provide an on-campus presence throughout the pandemic, ensuring our campus is safe and secure and undertaking research critical to the fight against Covid-19 to support our NHS,” a university spokesperson said.

“Over recent months we have been working hard to increase research activity on campus and more recently we’ve focused on providing elements of on-campus teaching for our students where it adds most value to their education. We recognise the importance of this on both learning and wellbeing.

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“We do understand that some staff may have concerns about returning to work on campus and are using the temporary suspension of on-campus teaching to put in place additional risk mitigation measures.

"These will be in addition to existing safety measures to protect the health of our University community which include: one-way systems with clear signage to maintain social distancing, restrictions on class sizes in suitably spaced rooms, hand sanitisers at building entrances, regular cleaning of touch points, toilets and frequently used areas and extensive risk assessments.

“We will regularly review these safety measures and arrangements in line with evolving guidance in order to continue to provide the high quality education our students expect whilst doing all we can to keep our University community as safe as possible.”

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