University of Leicester staff join call for global boycott

Staff at a university have joined calls for a global boycott of the institution as part of a dispute over job cuts.

The University and College Union (UCU) said it had made the move in response to plans to review 145 posts at the University of Leicester.

Union members have also started a marking and assessment boycott.

A University of Leicester spokesman said the action was "regrettable", adding bosses will "continue to try and engage" with staff.

Plans to cut jobs were revealed earlier this year after a "drop in demand" for some subjects.

The university said 145 were placed at risk of redundancy, with a predicted net reduction of up to 60 jobs.

Leicester UCU chair Dr Sarah Seaton said: "Leicester UCU members are refusing to mark any work or take part in assessments with the knowledge that our union has called on the academic community to back us with a global boycott.

"No-one takes this action lightly but we must protect jobs and student learning conditions."

The UCU is also asking other professionals to support them by not applying for any advertised jobs at Leicester, not speaking at any conferences in Leicester and not writing for any academic journal produced by Leicester.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "It is rare for UCU to call for a global academic boycott, and doing so reflects the seriousness of the situation.

"The university needs to lift its threat of compulsory redundancies if it wants to end this dispute."

A University of Leicester spokesman said: "It is regrettable that the UCU union has decided to proceed with action and has called for a global boycott.

"Our priority remains ensuring our current students can complete their assessments for this academic year, and that our finalists can graduate and take the next steps in their journey.

"We have asked UCU to meet us on several occasions, but so far they have declined. However, we will continue to try and engage with them."

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