Open University Lecturers’ Contract Dispute Reported by Union

Staff unions at The Open University (OU) have asserted that “award-winning” lecturers are departing due to what they describe as plans to “fire and rehire” tutors, aimed at resolving long-standing contract issues. Kit Power, an individual with 20 years of service at the OU, characterized the situation as employing a “sledgehammer to crack a nut.” He further noted that unions have been “working with management for over a decade to reduce overwork.” Responding to these claims, a spokesperson for the institution, which is situated in Milton Keynes and employs over 4,000 lecturers, stated: “We strongly disagree with this characterisation.” The spokesperson elaborated that some employees had “accrued contracts that would see them working in excess of 100 hours per week,” a situation which “they do not believe is good for the OU or students.” The university initiated a consultation process more than a year ago, during which, according to unions, over 160 associate lecturers were presented with the option to either sign a new contract or face termination and subsequent re-employment at a reduced salary. The BBC has learned that 21 individuals have declined to sign the new contracts. Mr. Power, who serves as a representative for the University and College Union (UCU), deemed the OU’s consideration of such action as “completely unprecedented.” He added: “It is a very serious situation because everyone is worried if they get away with it once, then they will do it again.” He indicated that the union is currently seeking legal counsel and evaluating the possibility of industrial action. An Open University spokesperson countered by stating that, in collaboration with the UCU, the institution had converted contracts “for more than 4,000 casually employed associate lecturers on to a more permanent basis in 2022.” They also expressed that they “remain puzzled” by unions “defending this practice whilst at the same time launching campaigns about excessive workloads.” The spokesperson refuted the notion that the OU’s actions were intended to offer lower salaries. Instead, they affirmed the university’s aim was to provide “manageable hours at the same rate, with a transition period over two years and compensatory payments.” Furthermore, the institution confirmed it had engaged in discussions with ACAS, the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, to explore alternatives to the proposed changes, but these discussions did not alter the situation.