Lara Chaplin, Coventry University and College Union (UCU), accuses the university’s senior leadership team of carrying out mass redundancy plans, while spending countless sums on international travel. Chaplin is hearing that they are terminating staff. They’re re-hired under conditions that are “significantly worse,” such as a drastic reduction in annual leave.
The university has also been recently accused of hiding behind claims that it is undergoing a financial crisis, having a deficit of “millions and millions of pounds.” To try to make up for this shortcoming, the senior leadership team has been trying to make a high percentage of their own employees ax them. Chaplin raised alarm about the university’s proposed management model, saying that the way they’re going about it seems to be opaque and inequitable.
In their call to action, Chaplin underscored the importance of “responsible leadership” in such unpredictable times. In a released statement, she said the university’s choice embodies a double standard for how executives are treated versus other university employees.
“It’s one rule for them and then another for the rest of the university workers.” – Ms Chaplin
Coventry University Group (CUG) is prepared to take the first steps toward building back their international brand. In addition, they hope to have 50,000 students enrolled in diverse locations around the globe. The network of campuses is poised to announce the opening of new campuses in other countries over the next year. Yet this expansion opens up broader issues around where resources are allocated, particularly as staff continue to be cut at home.
In response, a spokesperson for CUG defended the necessity of travel. They made the argument that these kinds of trips are essential for cultivating relationships overseas, which will in turn make the university money over the long term.
“None of this happens remotely, we need to develop relationships and this means flying to countries where we do business, or hope to do business, that generates a surplus to support our communities in the UK as well as protecting jobs.” – CUG spokesperson
Enormous expenditures on private flights have generated overwhelming blowback. Union representatives and faculty are disappointed by the amendments to teaching condition terms. As the university continues its financial restructuring, many say it must do so by prioritizing the needs of its workforce and guaranteeing full equity in treatment.
