Exam writers file a claim against the university press

Lawyers are to bring a claim against a leading academic publisher on behalf of exam writers who claim unfair changes have been made to their status.

The twelve writers work for Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUP&A), which describes itself as a “world leader in assessment, teaching, research and academic publishing”.

The Society of Authors (SoA), a trade union for professional writers, has claimed that there was “miscategorization” in contracts issued to people earlier this year and that people were denied a number of workplace rights, including a fair holiday pay.

A spokesperson for CUP&A said: “Our assessors received improved terms under new contracts earlier this year, which the claimants agreed to.”

The union claims that in some cases the problems go back thirty years.

It said exam writers were sent a new contract in or around April this year, with the indication that CUP&A would formally treat them as employees.

The writers were told they would no longer receive commissions from the company unless they agreed to the new terms, the union said.

At or around this time, their holiday pay entitlement was set at 12.07% to reflect the minimum legal entitlement, while the hourly rate for at least some of their work was reduced, leading to an overall loss according to some workers. the SoA.

Lawyers have argued that the changes made by CUP&A were unfair because the writers had always been entitled to holiday pay and therefore had simply taken a pay cut.

They said this was one of a number of contract changes that left employees in a less favorable position than before.

All twelve claimants signed the new contract in May 2024.

It is alleged that the terms of the previous agreement never reflected the true nature of the relationship between the writers and their employer, and that their legal rights have been breached.

‘Fair treatment and compensation’

Human rights lawyer Ryan Bradshaw from law firm Leigh Day said: “These exam writers have been denied fundamental rights that should have been afforded to them all along.

“Our claim aims to rectify the situation by ensuring that their employment status is properly recognized and that they receive the fair treatment and compensation they deserve.

“The adjustments CUP&A made under the guise of late compliance with their legal obligations were in reality a thinly veiled pay cut.

“It is unfortunate that our clients felt forced to sign these contracts under the pressure of losing work they had performed diligently and professionally for years.”

Sarah Burton, deputy chief executive of the SoA, said: ‘We are disappointed that Cambridge University Press & Assessment has chosen not to resolve this matter directly with our members and the SoA, and that it has been necessary to pursue a legal claim to submit. “

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