A survey of job insecurity in Higher Education and Research

How many insecure workers are there in higher education and research? The figure is not known and no study has been devoted to the issue. The primary aim of the interunion survey just launched is to gauge the scope of the phenomenon.

This initiative from the CGT, FSU, SGEN-CFDT, UNSA, CFTC-Recherche, SUD, UNEF, SLR, SLU unions concerns all those who hold an insecure job position working in any capacity in higher public education and research .

“The undersigned higher education and research unions and associations wish to make the 2009-2010 academic year a time to combat job insecurity, with the participation of all insecure workers and all permanents” the interunion collective states. To do so, “we must be aware of the facts to enable insecure workers to defend themselves, to oblige their employers to respect their basic rights, to support them in their most pressing demands and to obtain a secure job for each of them.”

The text accompanying the survey emphasizes the lack of resources required to confirm workers in their post, the reconsideration of the status of permanent workers and the overall evolution of the system. The questionnaire is in eight parts ranging from career path to working and living conditions, career perspectives and one’s personal assessment of the situation.