UNITED KINGDOM

Unions object to zero-hours lecturer advert

A university risks “damaging the reputation of higher education in Scotland” by advertising for a new lecturer to join its staff on a zero-hours contract, union leaders have claimed, reports The Scotsman.

The University and College Union, or UCU, has contacted Edinburgh Napier University to complain about its bid to take on a lecturer in child and public protection for the school of nursing, midwifery and social care on such a basis.

The UCU has been campaigning against the use of zero-hour contracts in the sector and has raised the issue with Edinburgh Napier University Principal and Vice-chancellor Professor Andrea Nolan. UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said recruiting lecturers on the controversial contracts was “an embarrassment”.
Full report on the Edinburgh Evening News site