The University employs numerous teaching staff on 12-month fixed-term contracts. Many have been on these contracts for several years—some for nearly a decade! This year, the University attempted to dismiss all of them at short notice by refusing their annually-requested renewals, informing them just one month before their contracts expired. In doing so, the University not only failed to consider the substantial damage to these staff—financial, emotional, and career-related—but also failed to provide the 3 months’ notice required by law and University policy.
After a member in this position approached LUCU, we pointed out that this was unacceptable, illegal, and immoral. Beyond the damage to staff themselves, the work they perform is still needed. Following extensive lobbying by LUCU, the University finally acknowledged its error and has now granted all these staff additional 12-month fixed-term contracts.
LUCU is pleased the University has corrected its mistake, but we would like to see it do the right thing and grant all affected staff the permanent contracts they deserve. We will continue pursuing this with the University and would be interested to hear from any other staff on fixed-term contracts, especially those on repeated FTCs for 4 or more years.