UCU and London Metropolitan University: academic boycott

Many of you will be aware of the long standing dispute between UCU and London Metropolitan University. The university is implementing a far reaching restructuring which increases workload for many staff while making others redundant. Among the many talented staff losing their jobs are two of UCU's most senior representatives, themselves staunch critics in recent years of the university.

Given the failure of the University to consult or negotiate properly with UCU, the higher education committee (HEC) has now voted to invoke UCU's censure and academic boycott policy. In short this means that unless the university now takes active steps to resolve our dispute, UCU will soon be asking members of UCU and our sister academic unions around the globe to boycott all aspects of the university's work. 

Given the seriousness of this measure, the union is continuing to press London Metropolitan University to change course before it is too late. I hope they heed our warnings before further damage is done to the global reputation of this university.

Although the union will do all it can to resolve this dispute, I wanted to put members on notice that we - and our colleagues at London Met - may need your support in the coming weeks.

I will keep you advised of progress.

Sally Hunt

UCU general secretary