As students of Solent University, we renounce the management of the University's decision to employ teaching staff under a new subsidiary company, 'Solent Services Ltd'. Not only will they lose access to their Teachers Pension Scheme, which could see a reduction of approximately a third of pension income, leaving them up to £10,000 worse off per year in retirement. But if a member of teaching staff refuses to transfer, their contract will be terminated and ceased immediately. 

Teaching staff are the foundations of our University. Their tireless work and passion is one of the key elements that enables the University to thrive, and without them, not only will courses suffer majorly, but our sense of community and Solent pride will be diminished.

We call on the Vice- Chancellor Professor James Knowles, the Board of Governors and the management at the University to:

• Stop all proposals that remove staff from established pension schemes.
• Commit to solutions that protect academic terms and conditions.
• Stand by its values of respect, integrity, and teamwork, and to apply fair employment practices to all staff.

This petition reflects our concern and solidarity as students who care about our education and the staff who make it possible. We urge the University to listen to these concerns and to engage constructively with staff to reach a fair and sustainable solution.

An initial physical petition was sent round the picket line, however it is vital that we gain as many signatures as possible, as the security of our education, and the welfare of our teachers is non-negotiable.

PLEASE SIGN NOW.