Resolving the structural dependence on bogus temporary contracts at Dutch universities
On the 14th of February, we will hold a national day of action, entitled ‘The University Won’t Love Us Back.’ This action is a follow up from the ‘Doomsday Clock’ initiative in which we participated with 0.7 and WOinActie. We gave the CvBs across the country one term to make good on their promise to address the plight of docenten in local negotiations. Unfortunately – but perhaps unsurprisingly – this did not happen.
This term, the intensification of action continues. This will be important both locally and nationally, as on the 1st April the current ‘industrial peace’ agreed nationally between the employers and the unions comes to an end. A new cycle of negotiations for the collective labour agreement will then start again. It is therefore vital that we build up the necessary pressure in the lead up to these talks to make sure employers do not, once again, shirk their responsibilities when it comes to questions of casualisation, workload, and social safety.
The first date for the agenda in this process is the 14th February. On that day, we are participating in a national day of action, alongside other national networks such as 0.7, and WOinActie, on the theme: The University Won’t Love You Back.
PROGRAM
– Between 9:00-11:00 There will be two live-streamed discussion, the link could be found here: https://radbouduniversity.zoom.us/j/85748076710?pwd=a2NKTFVvVm1FeHNmeUhKRjNJSVZGdz09 . This discussion is organised by Casual Utrecht and 0.7 and will be conducted in Dutch. First, from 9.00-10.00, Dr Sanne Frequin will be interviewed by Dr Nike Stam about her podcast ‘Ik Vertrek’ [I am Leaving], and her reflections about casual work in Dutch Universities. This will be followed, from 10.00-11.00, with an interview of Prof. Floris Cohen, carried out by Rens Bod and Tim de Winkel, about his book: ‘De Ideale Universiteit’ [The Ideal University]. For those of you in Utrecht, you can also attend these lectures in person, here (please self test before attending): De Grote Theater Zaal, Muntstraat 2 A (Kromme Nieuwegracht 20 en 22) – Campus – Universiteit Utrecht (uu.nl).
– At 13.00, we will gather for a demonstration outside the Leiden Faculty of Social Sciences (Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden) A first poster for the day is available here and below. Please print, attach to your door, and circulate widely. For those of you in Groningen, you can join the demonstration in front of the Academy Building at 12.00, organised by OrganisetheRuG
– At 15.30, the AOB is organising its annual AcademieKus award ceremony. This year the prize will be given out to an organisation that has led to a concrete increase in permanent contracts. The event will be live-streamed and you can register here: https://www.aob.nl/agenda/academiekus-academix/. For those who prefer to watch the event collectively, you can join Casual Leiden in the Verbarium (Room 104 – Vrieshof 3) from 15.15.
– Finally, in collaboration with 0.7 and OrganisetheRUG, Casual Academy is collecting testimonials from colleagues who are facing insecure or precarious working conditions, structural overwork and other sources of distress on the work floor. This information will be used to create awareness about precarious contracts, casualisation, and how they affect individuals, their careers, and their professional development. You can remain anonymous if you wish. Please fill in the form and share it with colleagues who might be interested.