Forthcoming strike action
Members will be aware that the national union’s Higher Education Committee has called for further strike action in the Four Fights dispute. Different institutions will be taking action on two separate weeks. At UCLan, five days of action will take place from Monday 21st to Friday 25th March. The Branch Committee acknowledges that some members will be finding further action in this dispute difficult for a number of reasons. However, for as long as the mandate (which members voted for) is live, members should adhere to the strike call and not do any work for the University on those days.
Fighting Fund
Members who are in genuine financial hardship can consider making a claim from the union’s Fighting Fund, but we would stress that the fund is intended only for those members in dire financial straits and is not a compensation scheme for lost pay. Information about the Fighting Fund can be found at: UCU – UCU fighting fund 2021/2022
Pickets
Following a meeting of the UCU branch strike committee today, the Branch Committee has endorsed a proposal that picketing take place on Monday 21st and Thursday 24th March from 08.30 to 11.30. Please meet outside the EIC (Engineering Building) adjacent to Adelphi Square.
Withheld strike pay for Ukraine
Last week, UCU asked that Management donate all pay withheld as a consequence of next week’s strike to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. We also asked for swift confirmation of this. To their discredit, Management have not responded. UCLan UCU will continue to press for all pay deductions to be used to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Four Fights reballot
Members will be have received notification from the General Secretary that the national union is reballoting members on the continuation of the Four Fights dispute. The ballot is now open and runs until Friday 5th April. Please keep an eye out for your ballot paper which should arrive in the next few days.
Covid/Health & Safety update
In response to requests from UCU, Management have now provided a report on ventilation measures currently in place in University buildings and proposals for upgrading ventilation and air circulation systems for the future. UCU will continue to raise this and other Covid-related matters via the joint-union-Management Covid meetings, which will move from a weekly to a monthly basis. Advice remains that any Covid matters be raised with your line manager (Head or Deputy Head of School in most cases) in the first instance.
UCU has been consulted on the University’s Health & Safety strategy and has called for greater resources to be devoted to tackling the causes of work-related stress (particularly excessive workloads) and for improved workplace wellbeing. We continue to meet with Management via regular joint-union H&S meetings in addition to the Covid meetings.
Pensions dispute at Staffordshire University – show your support – sign the petition
Members may have read about the proposal by Management at Staffordshire University to cease entitlement to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme to new academic starters. UCU members at that branch have voted decisively to resist this unprecedented move to drive down terms and conditions and create a ‘two tier’ academic workforce at that institution. You can read more about the dispute here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12195/Staff-at-Staffordshire-University-set-to-walk-out-over-two-tier-workforce-threat
As we know, Management at UCLan ended entitlement to the Local Government Pension Scheme for new professional services starters at the University this year, but Management at Staffordshire are the first to launch such an outrageous attack on academic staff. It is vital that this move be defeated, since this could potentially establish a precedent for the whole post-92 HE sector. Branch Chair Mick McKrell has sent a message of support to Staffordshire UCU and we ask members to support the campaign by signing the petition here: https://speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/staffordshire-university-no-to-a-two-tier-system/
iROWE Seminar – menopause in the workplace
‘Supporting staff going through menopause in the workplace. The UK has one of the highest percentages of women in the workplace in Europe and this, coupled with an ageing workforce and a tight labour market makes the management of the menopause in the workplace a highly relevant topic. However, staff experiencing symptoms of the menopause may feel unsupported in the workplace, and their symptoms trivialised. It is vital that employers provide sensitive and appropriate support for staff experiencing symptoms of the menopause, not least because Acas and the Employment Tribunals are seeing an increase in claims associated with sex, disability and age’.
Tuesday 26th April, 1:00 – 2:00pm. To book a place on this online event go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/menopause-in-the-workplace-tickets-260913327787
AGM reminder
The Annual General Meeting of the Branch will be on Wednesday 20th April, 13.30 – 15.00 via Teams: check your emails for the link.
NWTUC Blackpool Protest cancelled
The Cost of Living protest by NWTUC planned for Saturday March 19th in Blackpool has been cancelled.
Dates for your diary:
Saturday 2nd April– Cost of Living Protest, Preston Flag Market, 11.00-13.00, organised by Preston Trades Council.
Saturday 30th April – Preston Workers’ Memorial Day, Preston Flag Market, 11.45am. After speeches and a piped lament there will be a short procession along Friargate to the Peace Gardens. Wreaths will be placed on the Preston Martyrs’ memorial outside the 1842 Bar (the old Corn Exchange) on Lune Street. All welcome.
UCU Branch Committee
