Motion on #CoronaContract

Cambridge UCU calls on the University of Cambridge to ensure decent work for casualised staff for at least two years, at or above current level of remuneration, in response to the Covid-19 crisis, as laid out in the inter-university #CoronaContract. 

Cambridge UCU notes:

  • That casualised workers represent 70% of researchers in higher education, and do between 25-30% of the teaching in many universities 
  • That up to 30,000 job losses are forecasted across the higher education sector over the next 18 months, and that many of these losses will affect contingent staff
  • That a global hiring freeze at higher education institutions dramatically reduces the ability of casualised staff to find new employment
  • That casualised staff in Cambridge:
    • Comprise between 1000 and 3000 workers who perform lecturing, demonstration, class seminars and who are paid by the hour without any contract
    • Perform 45% of all supervisions
    • Are frequently paid less than the real living wage when including preparation time
    • Do not have occupational sick pay if they are employed by TES
  • That in this time of unprecedented crisis the University has an obligation to do everything in its power to prevent and mitigate against redundancies

Cambridge UCU Resolves:

  • To sign the #CoronaContract or pen a similar local document specific to Cambridge’s needs
  • To lobby the University on behalf of the goals as laid out in the Corona Contract or similar document