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Open letter

Professor Koen Lamberts, University of York Vice-Chancellor, Chair of the Employers Pension Forum for Higher Education (EPF);

Dear Professor Lamberts,

As academics and academic-related staff at the University of York, we are committed to providing quality education for students, and producing innovative research for the public good.

We are heartened that Universities UK (UUK) and University and College Union (UCU) have resumed talks, and are hopeful for an agreement that protects Defined Benefit (DB) pensions. The UUK proposal to reduce DB pensions to £0 represents an alarming devaluation of our work. Independent actuarial analysis and extensive research have also cast doubt on both the idea that the pension fund is at risk, and that the UUK proposal would secure it.

We believe that a secure DB pension is necessary to our university’s ability to recruit and retain the most talented educators and staff. The elimination of that benefit would endanger the world-class teaching and research we provide, not only in York, but across the United Kingdom.

As a leader in higher education and as Chair of the EPF, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the people, labour, and student learning that make our university what it is. Other Vice-Chancellors have issued public statements in support of maintaining a defined benefit pension.

We call on you to do the same.

The undersigned staff of the University of York:

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Open Letter from University of York Staff to the Vice Chancellor

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Open Letter from University of York Staff to the Vice Chancellor

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