ABER UCU write to Vice Chancellor

Posted on by marcw

The Aber UCU Executive have written to the Vice Chancellor of Aberystwyth University (Elizabeth Treasure) to draw her attention to what we consider a misleading use of statistics by UCEA in recent days.

 

UCEA is the ‘negotiating partner’ on behalf of UK universities in national higher education pay and working conditions negotiations. It is the body that, (after a decade of below inflation pay rises), chose to impose a 3% pay award on higher education staff for 2022/23 and is now imposing a further real terms cut in pay of 5%* on higher education employees for 2023/24 at a time of double digit inflation.

Whether through accident or design misrepresenting the financial situation of higher education institutions to justify the further erosion of salaries for grounds staff, researchers, technicians, librarians, caterers, student support workers, lecturers, cleaners, project managers, farm workers, IT experts and professional administrators undermines trust in UCEA as a partner negotiating with these staff in good faith.

As a Board Member of UCEA we are asking the Vice Chancellor to investigate and help UCEA issue a correction.

 

PDF of the letter here>  UCEA Letter to VC_AUUCU_Exec

 

 

* the UCEA pay uplift rates for 2023/24 vary from 8% for people earning less than £19k, 6% for those earning below £30.5k, and 5% for all staff earning above £31k.

Two Cases: Noting UUK’s Offer Makes Sense, But Should UCU Members Note or Reject UCEA’s Offer?

Posted on by marcw

Some UCU members have yet to decide how to vote in the current consultation on next steps in the industrial action / negotiations.

This blog brings together two different views making the case for two different types of vote that might help in reaching a decision.

 

Two Cases: Noting UUK’s Offer Makes Sense, But Should UCU Members Note or Reject UCEA’s Offer?

 

Nuff Said

Posted on by marcw

Consultation of UCU members on USS and Four Fights proposals begins this week. 

Employers will be notified this week of a Marking and Assessment Boycott beginning at start of summer term.

Watch this space for further details …

 

Petition to the University of Leeds Vice Chancellor and Senior Management

Posted on by marcw

Aber UCU members might want to support this petition in response to the extraordinary action of University of Leeds management.

 

“We, the undersigned, condemn the University of Leeds management’s decision to make further pay deductions at a rate of 100% pay for staff who do not deliver teaching missed on strike days i.e. additional deductions far beyond the days for which they were already not paid while on strike

The approach chosen at Leeds is punitive, out of line with that of most other Universities, and has served to undermine staff/management relations at Leeds.

This has also diminished the reputation of the University of Leeds management to those observing from the outside, many of whom do not wish to apply for posts or collaborate with your University whilst such practices prevail.

In the spirit of a harmonious future for all, we urge you to rescind your decision to take the most punitive approach to your staff in these UK-wide disputes.”

 

SIGN PETITION HERE

 

 

Pay matters

Posted on by marcw

University staff negotiate pay with their employers on a national basis. Five unions are involved, covering staff working in every job from the post-graduate teaching assistants to librarians, coffee shop baristas to the bleary eyed Monday morning lecturer, grounds maintenance crew to lab technician.

 

University bosses imposed a pay deal on the staff that make their institutions function that they knew was significantly below inflation last year, and have done the same this year. Yet the cost of living, and particularly food, continues to rise rapidly.

There is a reason members are angry. Join UCU today and exercise your vote.