Bristol Uni sent letter from striking staff with list of demands

By Ellie Brown, News Subeditor

An open letter from casualised staff at the University of Bristol taking part in the UCU strike has called on the institution to take their concerns seriously.

The letter, written by a group of hourly paid teachers on behalf of all 'casual staff at the University,' calls for improvements in their working conditions.

Key demands include more time for teaching preparation, improved support for the mental and physical wellbeing of teachers, and equal treatment for language tutors.

The group also argues that changes to teaching conditions will 'improve teachers’ ability to fully support students.’

At the time of writing, letter has received 92 signatures, the majority from staff in the Faculty of Arts and Faulty of Social Sciences and Law. Signatories include staff on both temporary and permanent contracts.

Lydia Medland, one of the writers of the letter, told Epigram that the group 'will send the letter to the VC (Vice-Chancellor) in advance of the meeting that we hope to have with him.’

'Many of us have been making these points for years,' she said.

In a recent interview Epigram, Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol, made the following statement on staff casualisation:

'On casualisation, I think we’re like-minded with our local UCU branch that we want to put as many contracts as possible on a more stable footing. We have a Precarious Contracts Working Party, which is a joint initiative between the University and UCU to figure out ways that we can do that.'

'Many of us have been making these points for years' - one of the writers of the letter

'Staff have been working incredibly hard over the last number of years – both to further increase our academic reputation, but also to strengthen our balance sheet,' he added.

The University of Bristol have been contacted for comment.

Featured image credit: Student-Staff Solidarity Group

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