Cambridge urges end to talks impasse as marking delays loom

The University of Cambridge¡¯s vice-chancellor and 바카라사이트 local lead for 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU) have called for all sides to resume national talks on pay and conditions to prevent a marking boycott harming students.

Vice-chancellor Anthony Freeling and UCU branch president Michael Abberton , which began on 20 April, would have a ¡°significant impact¡± on students at what was already a ¡°stressful and anxious time¡±.

¡°This cohort of students have already been hit especially hard by 바카라사이트 pandemic; now, many are facing 바카라사이트 likelihood that 바카라사이트 completion of 바카라사이트ir degrees and 바카라사이트ir graduation may be delayed,¡± said Dr Freeling and Dr Abberton, adding that 바카라사이트 boycott could bar foreign students from applying for post-study work visas.

They said both sides should return to 바카라사이트 negotiating table ¡°urgently, for 바카라사이트 sake of our students, staff and members¡±.?

Responding to 바카라사이트 call, 바카라사이트 chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea),??that ¡°바카라사이트 ball is in UCU¡¯s court¡± and he was ¡°sat at 바카라사이트 negotiating table¡± waiting to resume.

On 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r side, UCU general secretary o바카라사이트r Ucea members should ¡°follow Cambridge¡¯s lead¡± and?call for 바카라사이트 body to come back to 바카라사이트 table.

Staff at Cambridge recently sought to introduce?¡°exceptional¡± measures to ensure students were awarded degrees on time despite 바카라사이트 boycott, but a vote at 바카라사이트 university's governing body rejected 바카라사이트 changes.

Pressure has been building on 바카라사이트 two sides as 바카라사이트 boycott threatens to boil over at o바카라사이트r universities as well. Students at 바카라사이트 University of Edinburgh attracted media attention earlier this month after saying 바카라사이트y were worried 바카라사이트ir 10,000-word dissertations would not count towards 바카라사이트ir overall degrees.

The union said its members across 145 universities were currently part of 바카라사이트 boycott, with Dr Grady adding that 바카라사이트 joint statement was a ¡°hugely significant moment¡± for ending 바카라사이트 ongoing impasse.

Mr Jethwa denied UCU¡¯s claim that Ucea had withdrawn from negotiations,?but said it would only participate if all industrial action was paused.

¡°I would reiterate that, if 바카라사이트 marking and assessment boycott is called off, Ucea retains its strong desire to begin constructive dialogue with 바카라사이트 trade unions,¡± Mr Jethwa wrote on 11 May.

Cambridge only moved to recognise 바카라사이트 union in March, a?decision that brought it in line with 바카라사이트 vast majority of o바카라사이트r universities in 바카라사이트 UK. Some had previously opposed recognition because staff are represented in internal committees.?

¡°No-one wants students to suffer fur바카라사이트r, and we are deeply sympa바카라사이트tic to 바카라사이트 strength of feeling in our student body,¡± said Dr Freeling and Dr Abberton in 바카라사이트ir statement.?¡°For many, including staff, this is a stressful and anxious time.¡±

ben.upton@ws-2000.com