UNI ACTION THREAT IN COVID FEARS
STAFF MAY STRIKE OVER IN-PERSON TEACHING ROW
STAFF at the University of Bristol are considering taking industrial action because of a disagreement over in-person teaching.
The University and College Union (UCU) regional official Nick Varney said the branch was consulting members on whether a dispute should be declared with the university over its failure to make online learning its default position.
Declaring a dispute would mean staff would move towards a ballot for industrial action.
The university has said its primary objective is to keep staff and students safe as they undertake their research and learning activities and that they are confident they are complying with Government guidelines to make the campus Covid secure.
Earlier this week, university employee Simon Downes claimed six of his technical staff colleagues have tested positive for coronavirus.
A total of 1,089 students have now tested positive for Covid-19 at the University of Bristol, together with 22 members of staff, taking the total of confirmed cases at the university to 1,111 – a daily rise of 32 positive tests.
In recent days, the number of new positive tests among students seems to have slowed down, but the number of positive tests among staff members now seems to be rising quickly, having more than doubled since last Wednesday when eight coronavirus cases were confirmed among university staff.
A total of 22 staff members have now tested positive for coronavirus, a daily rise of three taking this week’s rise among staff to 12.
Bristol UCU tweeted on Wednesday: “While welcoming the university’s move to provide daily Covid-19 stats and to adopt a more expansive view of individual risk assessments, Officers & Exec feel that it is now up to branch members to decide whether to call a dispute based on the University’s current intransigence.
“The consultative ballot will set out in more detail what calling a dispute means, as well as the context and terms of any dispute.
“In short, a trade dispute between the University & its unions initiates a set of formal negotiations to settle the dispute.
“Following these negotiations, members may be asked to take a range of next steps, including balloting members over taking industrial action.”
A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: “Our primary objective is to keep our staff and students safe.
“We understand the concerns raised in relation to face-to-face teaching but are confident that we are complying with Government guidelines for universities and workplaces to make our campus Covid secure.
“We know our students want in-person teaching to continue. We also know how important this education and social interaction is, for both their learning and mental health and wellbeing.
“The Department for Education has made it clear that they view it as essential that we continue to allow our students to have face-to-face teaching wherever possible.
“Staff should discuss any concerns that relate to their personal circumstances with their line manager and an individual risk assessment will be carried out.
“We are committed to working with UCU to resolve staff concerns in a meaningful and supportive way.”