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THOUSANDS of university and college lecturers on fixed-term contracts stand to win payouts after the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that bosses should not exclude them from redundancy consultations.
The University and College Union (UCU) began a case after bosses at the University of Stirling announced plans to shed 140 jobs in 2009.
They consulted UCU over redundancies affecting permanent staff but refused to consult over staff on fixed-term contracts, which would simply not be renewed, scuppering hopes of redundancy pay for those affected.
Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling means that fixed-term contract staff at Stirling — and by implication at dozens of other universities and colleges — will be entitled to at least 90 days’ pay.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said the ruling was a vindication of the union’s efforts to prove that staff on fixed-term contracts had the same rights as their permanent colleagues.
“We are optimistic today’s decision will have financial implications for fixed-term staff at other universities who were part of claims we have lodged,” she added.
