Union claims ‘biggest ever’ decasualisation win
Lecturers’ union the UCU has won what it describes as the largest decasualisation gain in the history of UK higher education
The union reports that The Open University (OU) has begun to roll out a programme of new permanent contracts for 4,800 previously casualised associate lecturers. According to the UCU, as a result of the new contract staff will benefit from enhanced job security, a pay uplift of 10-15%, additional annual leave, and staff development allowances.
The contract follows “extensive” negotiations between the OU and UCU, which has called on other universities across the UK to follow suit and end casualisation. Currently, it says, over 70,000 university staff across the UK are on fixed-term contracts.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady commented: “The new contract is life-changing for the 4,800 associate lecturers who have been moved onto secure contracts that mean they no longer have to constantly re-apply for their jobs.”