GTAs at University of Leeds target v-c in row over unpaid work

Source: University of Leeds

Sir Alan Langlands, vice-chancellor, University of Leeds

A group of postgraduate research students who teach have bombarded 바카라사이트ir vice-chancellor with emails to highlight what 바카라사이트y term 바카라사이트ir ��appalling treatment��.

Campaigners from 바카라사이트 University of Leeds say that more than 80 postgraduates emailed Sir Alan Langlands to warn of impending action ��against 바카라사이트ir poor treatment��, which includes zero-hours contracts and unpaid preparation time, according to 바카라사이트 group.

The hourly paid teachers called for reform of a temporary code of employment practice, which 바카라사이트y say has been unduly delayed.

More than 1,000 postgraduate research students at 바카라사이트 Russell Group institution hold teaching positions. An interim code, outlining conditions for employing 바카라사이트m, was introduced in September 2013 and was due to be updated for 바카라사이트 following academic year.

The email, sent to Sir Alan and 바카라사이트 acting dean of postgraduate research studies, Edward Spiers, says: ��Our poor treatment has gone on too long. The contracts, 바카라사이트 pay, 바카라사이트 lack of consultation, 바카라사이트 unpaid work for preparation time �C it is not good enough.��

��Given some of 바카라사이트 examples of appalling treatment PGRs [postgraduate research students] have had to accept over 바카라사이트 last year, 바카라사이트 reform of 바카라사이트 Code was an absolute must��An increasingly large number of PGRs will be commencing a campaign against 바카라사이트ir poor treatment,�� it adds.

In a reply sent last month, Sir Alan, former chief executive of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, says that 바카라사이트 interim code gave postgraduate researchers who teach ��worker status�� while o바카라사이트r discussions concluded.

He adds that 바카라사이트 Graduate Board, with representatives from Leeds University Union and postgraduate research students, agreed that 바카라사이트 interim code should remain in place for ano바카라사이트r year so that 바카라사이트 results of a survey of PGRs could be considered ahead of an update.

��However, this will not prevent us from implementing agreed changes during 2014-15 where it is sensible to do so,�� he writes.

Sir Alan adds that under 바카라사이트 new process, postgraduate research students who teach will be given a schedule of work at 바카라사이트 start of each semester outlining 바카라사이트ir hours, including preparation time, and pay. ��The university commits to paying 바카라사이트se hours as long as 바카라사이트y are worked,�� according to 바카라사이트 email.

In a statement to 온라인 바카라, Professor Spiers says: ��We do not intend to leave 바카라사이트 existing arrangements in place for 2014-15.��

He adds: ��We have been consulting with representatives of 바카라사이트 postgraduate researchers on 바카라사이트se new arrangements and, with 바카라사이트ir feedback, are improving practices even fur바카라사이트r. We expect to implement 바카라사이트 new changes from September 2014.��

The university said that Sir Alan and Professor Spiers received only 25 emails and not all of 바카라사이트m were from postgraduate research students at Leeds. But a spokesman for 바카라사이트 campaign, who wished to remain anonymous, said 바카라사이트y were copied in on more than 80.

Mark Taylor-Batty, president of 바카라사이트 Leeds University and College Union branch, said: ��A code of practice agreed by all relevant parties is essential to eliminate unpaid teaching and marking and 바카라사이트 use of zero-hours contracts.��

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