NATFHE News Release, 26 AUGUST 2004


LECTURERS’ FURY OVER VICE CHANCELLOR’S ‘BOOK BURNING’



Lecturers at London Metropolitan University (LMU) today condemned the university’s vice chancellor Brian Roper for ordering the destruction of thousands of copies of a book about the university.

The condemnation took place at a meeting of lecturers’ union NATFHE, at the City campus of LMU. Lecturers were meeting to decide upon a response to letters from the university’s management which threatened to terminate their contracts if they do not accept, by 1st September, a new contract being imposed upon them.



Well over a hundred members packed a lecture theatre – unprecedented during August vacation – to hear an update on the contract dispute. NATFHE members then voted ‘nem con’ to continue their ‘action short of a strike’ and an academic boycott of the university - and to step up their campaign for a negotiated contract. Actions will include a series of strikes and a demonstration on 1 September.



A NATFHE national official reported on the university management’s rejection of an offer of time-limited negotiations with the possible involvement of arbitration service ACAS. NATFHE remains available for talks.
Lecturers condemned LMU’s management style and expressed contempt for a letter sent to staff threatening to ‘terminate’ them if they refused the new contract.



Several lecturers made reference to reports this week (in the THES) that the university had ordered the pulping of thousands of copies of a book about the university’s formation, originally commissioned by the LMU University President Roderick Floud.



As one lecturer put it: “A university management that behaves like a burner of books does not understand academic freedom or how to run a university. ”



Rather than burning books, lecturers will burn copies of contracts when they demonstrate on Wednesday 1 September at 1pm at the Holloway Road site of LMU.



ENDS



Notes for Editors

• Note to Picture editors: Rather than burning books, lecturers will burn copies of contracts when they demonstrate on Wednesday 1 September at 1pm at the Holloway Road site of LMU.

• For further information contact press officer Trevor Phillips 0207 520 1032 or 07773 796882.



CONTACT: Trevor Phillips 07773 796882