14th February 2022
I have a honorary lectureship at a law school and, although that is not a ‘staff’ role and I am not a union member, it does not seem appropriate to break the ‘digital picket line’ today, as my colleagues are on strike.
As such I will do what I can – little as it is – and respect my colleagues and not commentate on legal matters today.
Back tomorrow.
Hurrah.
In your case doing nothing draws attention to a dispute that I did not know existed, so FWIW, you have drawn some attention.
Same here. I wish them and you all the best.
Like
More power to all. In solidarity lies strength.
Long retired, so nothing practical I can do, apart from joining a picket.
But things have been going rotten for years: I retired about fifteen years ago having campaigned fruitlessly against a VC who said that he saw the University as a “series of cottage industries” and whose mantra was “grow the business”. My subject – Philosophy – was not particularly marketable and so got the axe.
The corruption took many forms – research assessment exercises (how many books/papers have you published?), teaching quality audits (no comment), inflating the number of courses we offered by double counting. Lecturers on termly contracts.
Twenty years ago my colleague, the late Colwyn Williamson, and I published a pamphlet “Academic Standards under Pressure” setting out how our subject was open to the corruption of money. We came close to being dismissed, for bringing the University into disrepute.
So it’s not new. But from what I see, it’s getting worse.
Solidarity
Good decision. I agree with your supporting of the university and college law lecturers, and you deserve the odd day off from sharing your thoughts on law and policy.