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?

Cyfarfod UCU Aber Dydd Mercher 1:10 – 2.30pm, C4 Hugh Owen

AGENDA

1. Ymgynghoriad ar ganlyniad pleidlais Gwrthryfel UCU

  • • Barn aelodau'r gyfnewidfa am ganlyniadau pleidleisio a'r opsiynau a'r senarios a gyflwynir gan UCU genedlaethol ar gyfer y camau nesaf.
  • • Nodi anghenion cymorth penodol byddai angen PA ar gyfer unrhyw weithredu diwydiannol.
  • • Galluogi Cynrychiolwyr y Gangen i gymryd rhan ac adlewyrchu safbwyntiau aelodaeth Aber UCU yn gywir a dewisiadau i Gyfarfod Cynrychiolwyr y Gangen ar 31 Hydref.

2. Pleidleisiwch ar gynnig i alluogi Aber UCU gymryd camau i ddarparu rhyw fesur o gefnogaeth ariannol i aelodau'n gyfreithiol pe bai gweithredu diwydiannol yn arwain at dynnu llafur yn ôl drwy streic neu farcio boicotiau.

  • • Creu cyfrif banc at y diben hwn
  • • Cytuno i drosglwyddo elfen o gronfeydd wrth gefn Aber UCU i'r cyfrif hwn er mwyn cefnogi aelodau sy'n profi caledi o ganlyniad i unrhyw weithredu diwydiannol.

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.

Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Arbennig UCU

Posted on by marcw

1.00-2.30, 12 Hydref 2022 C4 Hugh Owen

Agenda  

1. Disgwyliadau ymchwil  

Mae'r gangen leol wedi derbyn cynnig drafft gan y Dirprwy Is-ganghellor Ymchwil, Cyfnewid Gwybodaeth ac Arloesi, sy'n anelu at osod Disgwyliadau Ymchwil ar gyfer ymchwilwyr ar wahanol raddfeydd ac mewn gwahanol ddisgyblaethau.

Fe'i cyflwynir hefyd yn y cyfarfodydd holi ac ateb gyda'r Uwch Dîm Rheoli y semester hwn.

Carai'r gangen fanteisio'n gynnar ar y cyfle i wahodd aelodau i godi unrhyw faterion sy'n codi o'r cynnig.

Wrth reswm, carem glywed gan staff sy'n ymgymryd ag ymchwil; ond rydym hefyd yn argymell yn gryf bod aelodau sy'n pryderu am yr effeithiau eangach ar adrannau a'r amgylchedd dysgu ac addysgu i ddod a chyfrannu at y drafodaeth.

 

2. Ymgyrch UCU yn codi

Rydym yn nesáu at bythefnos olaf y bleidlais – dydd Mercher nesaf fydd y cyfle olaf i wneud cais am bapurau pleidleisio newydd. Byddwn yn rhoi diweddariad ar yr ymgyrch.

Byddwn hefyd yn rhoi cynnig ar dâl streic a chronfa galedi streic, i’r aelodau benderfynu arno.