Aberystwyth – on strike today

Posted on by marcw

UCU Aberystwyth picketPickets at Penglais. Bring flasks, water proofs, voices. Maybe cake.

 

We love teaching and working with our students.

But we’re on strike because:

    • workloads have become unmanageable
    • staff are leaving due to workloads, insecurity of contracts, pay
    • 90,000 university workers are on insecure contracts.
    • We’re facing a 35% cut to our future retirement income.
    • The gender, race and disability pay gap is real
    • University staff work on average two days extra per week for free due to workload.

This is just not sustainable. The problems can only be addressed by university management (through UCEA and UUK) working with UCU and other unions negotiating national solutions.

This is not happening. So reluctantly – we’re part of the national strike.

         

Amazing response!

Posted on by marcw

Thanks for those signing up to stand in the rain or (hopefully) shine and solidarity with UCU members across the UK forced to take industrial action on Thursday 24th, Friday 25th, and Wednes 30th of Nov.

 

It’s been an amazing response to our sign-up sheet so far. Remember brollys! And voices. And dogs (apparently it’s a thing for picket lines these days).

First days of Industrial Action announced

Posted on by marcw

70,000 university staff at 150 universities will strike for three days later this month over attacks on pay, working conditions and pensions.

UCU is seeking negotiations with UCEA and UUK/USS in order to avert such action.

Strike action will escalate in the New Year alongside a marking and assessment boycott.

The full strike dates in November are:

  • Thursday 24 November
  • Friday 25 November
  • Wednesday 30 November.

Details here:

 

INDUSTRIAL ACTION UPDATE

Posted on by marcw

UCU Higher Education Committee met today and confirmed the next steps to be taken nationally by UCU members following the ballot results last week.

  • Seek immediate negotiations with the employers representative bodies to avoid industrial action
  • Notify the employers of the intention to hold three days of industrial action at the end of November
  • If a negotiated settlement is not agreed then to escalate action in the New Year to include a marking boycott in January and further strike action from February.

Further information to come … https://www.ucu.org.uk/rising

UCU EGM WEDNESDAY

Posted on by marcw

The ballot results are in. So now what?

Emergency General Meeting scheduled : Wednesday 26th Oct 1:10 – 2.30pm, C4 Hugh Owen

AGENDA

1: Consultation on the outcome of the UCU Rising ballot

  • Exchange members’ views about ballot results and the options and scenarios presented by UCU national for next steps.
  • Identify specific support needs AU would need for any industrial action.
  • Enable Branch Delegates to participate and correctly reflect Aber UCU membership views and preferences to the national Branch Delegates Meeting on 31st October, which in turn informs decisions on next steps (see UCU survey on specific options being considered that was communicated to ALL UCU members last week).

2: Vote on a proposal to enable Aber UCU to take steps to legally provide some measure of financial support for members should industrial action lead to the withdrawal of labour through strike or marking boycotts.

  • Create a bank account for this purpose
  • Agree to transfer an element of Aber UCU reserves to this account to be used to support members experiencing hardship as a result of any industrial action

UCU Rising Ballot Results

Posted on by marcw

Pay and Conditions

Turnout : 58%

Strike Action – Yes: 81%

Action Short of a Strike – Yes : 89%

 

USS / Pension

Turnout : 60%

Strike Action – Yes : 85%

Action Short of a Strike – Yes : 90%

 

Overwhelming mandate for action.

Emergency General Meeting

Posted on by marcw

There will be an EGM on Wednesday 12th Oct, 1-2.30pm, in C4 – Hugh Owen.

Agenda  

1.  Research Expectations  

To discuss a draft proposal from Aberystwyth University which aims to set out “Research Expectations” for researchers at various grades and disciplines.

This is to be consulted upon by Aberystwyth University during this Semester, including formally with Aber UCU.

The branch would like to take an early opportunity to invite members to raise potential issues emerging from this proposal to inform input from Aber UCU representatives.

We would naturally like to hear from research active staff; however, we also strongly encourage members concerned about the wider impact on departments and the learning and teaching environment to attend and contribute to the discussion.

 

2.   UCU Rising Campaign

We are nearing the final fortnight of the ballot – next Wednesday 12th will be the last opportunity to apply for a replacement ballot. We will update on campaign.

We will also present a proposal on strike pay and a strike hardship fund for decision.