UK universities and colleges escalate attacks on jobs and pay as Johnson government reopens unsafe campuses
UK universities and colleges are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to cut jobs and attack pay and conditions for teaching staff.
At least 12 universities are planning redundancies. At the University of Leicester 60 jobs are being cut, with 47 jobs being cut at the University of Liverpool and 34 jobs at the University of Dundee. Redundancies are expected at the University of Leeds, Newcastle University, the University of Central Lancashire, and Solent University and the University of London.
University administrations claim that job losses are required in order to remain financially sustainable and to deal with the fallout from the pandemic. At the University of Liverpool, 47 jobs are to go with management claiming it will “increase academic quality”. The reality is that the cuts are central to the marketisation and privatisation of the sector that has proceeded a
play-icon
Video report by ITV News Correspondent John Ray
Everyone in the UK has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic in one way or another. Be it losing loved ones, suffering illness themselves, working from home or being furloughed - it s changed the way we live our day-to-day lives - perhaps permanently.
For the younger generation, the pandemic has meant missing out on an important developmental time in their lives - no matter what their age.
With lockdowns starting in March 2020, some pupils have been subject to nearly an entire year without face-to-face contact with teachers, playtime with their friends and the huge array of benefits attending school or university every day can bring.
This article was originally published on The Conversation.
It s easy to feel guilty when you re lazing around in front of the TV in your pajamas, eating ice cream straight out of the tub. But it s not an unusual activity in lockdown. The extended nature of the pandemic has turned attention to the impact that it is having on our collective mental health.
Many mental health organizations have proposed strategies to protect mental health, such as exercising, sleeping well and enjoying nature. This may make us assume that watching TV is ultimately bad for our mental wellbeing. But there is evidence to suggest that watching TV can also be good for us – if we go about it the right way.
Future of Goldsmiths: staff and students hold virtual picket
Virtual picket held by Goldsmiths staff and students. Pic: GUCU
Academic staff and students at Goldsmiths, University of London held a virtual picket in response to senior management’s restructuring plan that involved laying off staff and further marketising courses.
The five-day picket that ended on March 5 was part of the industrial action initiated by the Goldsmiths branch of University and College trade union (GUCU) in January 2021.
The action, which the university said it deeply regretted had happened, involves a marking boycott and refusal of face-to-face teaching due to Covid concern.