Dear Chris and Jackie,

Newcastle University UCU is declaring a failure to agree and therefore entry into dispute resolution over the human impact of the cuts at Newcastle University.

Since the announcements, we have had extensive consultation with our members at two well-attended branch meetings and a host of section meetings and meetings for casualised staff.

Substantively, the terms of our current disagreement are the detriment to staff regarding i) threat of loss of work for various contract types (inter alia PGRs, demonstrators, hourly paid, Fixed Term Contracts non-renewal, as well as not ruling out compulsory redundancies), ii) workload and its impact on health and wellbeing, iii) differential equality impacts and lack of transparency in ‘business-critical’ decision-making.

As you know, this would involve a formal attempt at dispute resolution ideally as soon as it practicable.  We look forward to possible resolution of these matters at a meeting of both parties.

Best wishes,

Matt Perry

Branch Chair

Newcastle University UCU