The Durham UCU Committee has written to the Vice Chancellor this morning asking the university to follow the example of other leading universities in waiving strike deductions in recognition of the current health crisis.
Dear Vice Chancellor,
You will be aware that various other universities (St Andrews, Birkbeck, Newcastle, Southampton, King’s College London) have waived strike deductions as a gesture of goodwill to staff at this unprecedented time. This week, the UCU General Secretary has also urged branches to make representations about strike deductions on behalf of members. Many of our members have been in touch to say that waiving strike deductions would be a very meaningful gesture by the University. Our casualised members, in particular, are very concerned about what the future may hold for their employment and are understandably worried about the financial implications of Covid-19.
We thus ask that Durham University follows the example set by the institutions mentioned above and waives any remaining strike deductions, inspiring others to do the same.
Yours sincerely
The DUCU Committee