Statement from Sussex UCU in support of sacked SOAS Student Union officers

On Monday 15 July 2024 two students, Abel Harvie-Clark and Alex Harvie-Clark, newly elected as Sabbatical Officers of SOAS Students’ Union were emailed letters terminating their employment contracts. These letters were timed to arrive on their first day of work, completely out of the blue. These are two democratically elected employees, appointed by the student body.

The manner in which the terminations were carried out sets a disturbing precedent.

The decision to terminate, signed off by the SU Board of Trustees, was reached without any due process of any kind. Abel and Alex were unaware that there were any accusations even being considered, much less that they were facing such a harsh sanction.

ACAS guidance was not followed: we know of no investigation to establish any facts. Neither Alex or Abel, nor their union was informed of any problem; the first time any accusations were revealed was in the termination letter. There’s been no disclosure of evidence, only untested assertions that purport to be facts. There was no disciplinary hearing; the meeting where the cases appear to have been heard was a Board of Trustees meeting, to which neither of the two were invited; they had not even been told that the Board was considering their termination. There was also no gross misconduct charge, yet they were told termination is immediate, and not to come back.

It is also disturbing that such poor treatment of student employees would come from the trustees of SOAS Students’ Union, a registered charity. The responsibilities of employers are clear and accessible, but they have not been practised in this case.

Freedom of Expression 

It is notable that both students have been outspoken on the Palestinian struggle, and have been active supporters of the SOAS Liberation Zone.

It’s also notable that they had stood for election to lead the Students’ Union on manifestos that called for changes in the way the SU is run. They were elected by the student body. The result of the drastic and sudden action taken behind closed doors by the Board is that they are now blocked from taking up their elected roles as officers and SU Trustees, and are left unemployed.

Action

Sussex UCU will be writing to the SU Board of Trustees setting out the serious deficiencies in their process, calling for withdrawal of the termination letters.

Staff and students can register their concerns by writing to the SU Board of Trustees, and take a stand against injustice by petitioning, and by following the ongoing campaigns, meetings and actions of SOAS UNISON, SOAS UCU and SOAS Justice For Workers.