What is a union?

Posted on by marcw

Picket lines and home based action,

all is fine as a reaction

to pension theft and wage decline,

terms of service increasingly defined

by goodwill and performative gestures,

be a good recruit, a safe investment.

 

But if you are situated

on the margins

expect to work twice as hard in

pursuit of pay, promotion,

and the ‘s’ word

– say it –

 

‘security’,

the holy grail of Higher aspiration.

 

Strike on the 20th, 21st and 22nd.

And remember these sage words from our south Walian brethren

 

 

[diolch yn fawr for the reminder Dr. Rhinnon Phillips ]

 

Pickets – 8.30 – 10.30 Mon to Wednes

– sign-up here 

 

UCU Rising: higher education committee decision

Posted on by marcw

UCU Higher Education Committee (HEC) have considered the views of the Branch Delegates Meeting held on Thursday, and the views of those who voted in the national members consultative survey over the last 48 hours.

In considering the industrial action strategy of the union the HEC members have determined that the proposals made are not sufficient to put to members for consultation and that industrial action remains in place for next week.

We’d like to see you on the pickets. And we’d like to see your ballot papers posted. Winning the re-ballot is essential to support the strategy adopted by the HEC.

Details here:

www.ucu.org.uk/article/12840/UCU-Rising-higher-education-committee-decision

 

Posted on by marcw

The Aber UCU member survey resulted in the following response.  118 members responded in less than 24 hours.

 

This position was then reflected at the Branch Delegates meeting yesterday afternoon, along with criticism of the phrasing of the question as a binary choice and recognition that supporting consultation did not necessarily imply supporting pausing industrial action (two questions, not one).

 

The individual survey with the same question, circulated by UCU national by email to all members on Wednesday, is open to response until 3pm on 17th March.

Breakthrough??

Posted on by marcw

Negotiations with universities over both pay and conditions, and pensions disputes have resulted in proposals being published.

 

UCU members are being asked whether they wish to consult about the proposals more formally and to pause action while they do so.

A briefing by Aber UCU as background to this consultation can be read here.

 

Aber UCU members should check their UCU registered email URGENTLY

 

a) for a survey for AU members about how we should vote at the Branch Delegates meeting taking place on Thursday 16th March,

b) a briefing attempting to summarise what UCU negotiators believe they have achieved,

c) an email from UCU national asking for individual members to indicate their views on the following question:

 

“Do you support UCU members now getting a vote on the negotiated proposals that have been reached, and pausing strike action (ASOS would continue) whilst this consultation takes place?” Yes/No

 

The fuller details on the negotiation outcomes can be read here:

 

UCU – UCU Rising progress in our disputes – have your say

 

Primer about the PAY ANNOUNCEMENT

Posted on by marcw

Aberystwyth UCU Executive have prepared a background briefing for members as they consider the meaning and significance of the imposed pay uplift for next year, announced by the Vice Chancellor on Friday 3rd March.

It’s pretty useful if you want to better understand what it all means for you and us as a union.

And here is a summary for the TLDR* generation.

Screenshot of a primer document about the recent announcement of the pay uplift for staff for 2023/24

*Too Lazy; Didn’t Read

Yes, yes. We know it’s supposed to be Too Long;Didn’t Read. But sometimes the long form contains the useful stuff!

Strikes resume for 6 days from 15th March

Posted on by marcw

During ‘the pause’ the body representing universities in the UK (UCEA) announced the imposition of another real terms pay cut for university staff for next year. This includes an option for individual universities to defer implementing their pay award for 2023/24 by eleven months. Whether Aberystwyth University chooses to do this or not is uncertain.

 

Meanwhile negotiations on the other elements of the dispute are ongoing at ACAS.

 

UCU President Jo Grady outlines where things stand in the video below and why additional dates of industrial action have been considered. Beginning 15th March there will be six consecutive days of industrial action at universities across the UK.