Higher education fixed-term staff face the axe

Universities
and higher education colleges are to reduce the number of staff on fixed-term
contracts.  

The
new guidance published today aims to help institutions implement the new EU regulations
on fixed-term work, due to come into effect in the UK in October 2002.

The
details have been agreed with unions Amicus, AUT, EIS, GMB, NATFHE, T&G and
Unison.

The
unions say the move will benefit researchers, temporary lecturers and other support
staff, as well as improving recruitment and retention.

Sharon
Holder, National Officer, GMB said: "This guidance is a welcome step
forward in the process of ending discrimination against our members who are on
fixed-term and casual contracts.

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"I
hope higher education institutions will not be content to just follow the
letter of the law on this issue, but will take every measure possible to
provide job security and decent employment rights for all their staff."

By Quentin Reade