University of Leicester staff to join climate change protests on Friday

University of Leicester Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Edmond Burke, has agreed to a stoppage between 12pm and 12.30pm for staff to show their support for the action against climate change.

The University and College Union welcomed the move and called for more colleges and universities to make allowances for their staff to get involved in Friday's protests.

The university has a series of events planned throughout the day on campus at Centenary Square including quizzes, a waste amnesty and a low carbon lunch.

Last week the trade union movement officially backed UCU's call to support Friday's school strikes and urged workers to join in the action for 30 minutes. The University and College Union (UCU) has written to the national representatives of universities and colleges asking them to allow staff to participate.

Other institutions that have confirmed support for the climate protests include the University of Edinburgh, Bristol University, the University of Leeds and Capital City College Group.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'The trade union movement is fully behind the actions against the climate crisis. The work done by Greta Thunberg and school students around the world has been inspirational and now it's time for the rest of us to make our voices heard. We are pleased Leicester can be added to the growing number of colleges and universities that are encouraging their staff to get involved with Friday's protests and other action.'