UCU: Covid-19 exposes the scandal of casualisation

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. COVID-19 exposes the scandal of casualisation: those who are less financially secure will be discouraged from self-reporting or self-isolating
2. people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) are more likely to become severely ill with the virus
3. the alarming rise in racist abuse and attacks on East Asian people, including university students and staff, since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Congress resolves:
a. to demand that employers ensure that there is no detriment, e.g., in terms of lost pay, to any member of staff, regardless of contract type or visa status, as a result of virus-related closures, cancellations, or isolation
b. to demand that staff who are at higher risk of contracting the virus suffer no detriment for taking extra precautions
c. to stand in solidarity with all staff and academics facing escalating racial discrimination following the outbreak of COVID-19.