1) Reminder: TODAY, General Meeting, 13:00-14:00, Arts Complex LT3, Woodland Road
On the agenda: USS Update, Gender Pay Claim and support our NHS:
https://tinyurl.com/BrizUCUgmJan24th
The Gender Pay Claim item has an accompanying motion:
https://tinyurl.com/BrisUCUmotionGM24th
There is also a motion supporting the People’s Assembly demonstration on 3rd February:
https://tinyurl.com/BrisUCUmotionGM24thNHS
***STOP PRESS***
Employers refuse to budge. No softening of ‘DC for all, pension cut for all’ stance. ‘Impartial’ Committee Chair votes with the hardliners. Strikes starting in February. Come to GM today to organise.
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2) USS
Doubt you missed the news on Monday! University staff overwhelmingly back strike action in USS pensions row.
In a record turnout, well over the legal threshold, 88% of UCU members voted to back strike action to defend defined benefit pensions and oppose the cuts proposal of university managements.
Following this result, UCU Higher Education Committee – the UCU body that calls the HE shots (between UCU HE conferences) – decided upon a course of action.
Subject to negotiations at yesterday’s (Tuesday, 23rd January) meeting of UCU and UUK reps at the USS Joint Negotiating Committee, our plans are:
14 days of escalating strikes likely to begin in 61 universities on or around 22 February if talks fail
Strikes to start with two days a week, rising incrementally to five days a week over an initial four week period
Members to be asked to work to contract, refuse to cover classes or reschedule those lost to strike action
***STOP PRESS***
Employers refuse to budge. No softening of ‘DC for all, pension cut for all’ stance. ‘Impartial’ Committee Chair votes with the hardliners. Strikes starting in February. Come to GM today to organise.
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3) Bristol Votes Yes. In Numbers
Bristol UCU members turned out to vote in their hundreds, and voted to back strike action.
90.5% of members who voted said yes, they were prepared to take industrial action consisting of strike action. The turnout was just over the 64%:
https://tinyurl.com/BristolUCUresultUSS
This turnout was one of the highest of 1,000+ members UCU branches, only Southampton’s was higher. With such a strong mandate, and membership on the rise, Bristol UCU is on the up.
Early signs are that your vote is already influencing the position of Bristol management vis-à-vis the USS – see yesterday’s message from Robert Kerse, Chief Financial Officer.
If replicated at other USS universities, then the pressure is well and truly on the managements of USS-participating institutions to change and revise their collective Universities UK position.
***STOP PRESS***
Employers refuse to budge. No softening of ‘DC for all, pension cut for all’ stance. ‘Impartial’ Committee Chair votes with the hardliners. Strikes starting in February. Come to GM today to organise.
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4) USS – A Crisis of UUK’s Making
One thing currently underreported is the premise to this current crisis – the ‘massive’ deficit. We would not be in this current dispute if universities had not colluded in creating a USS crisis. Sam Marsh from Sheffield UCU makes the case:
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5) Residences Pastoral Review
UCU is currently representing members in the proposed Residences restructuring.
Crucially, the consultation period has been extended until 16th Feb (with a revised proposal being made public on 9th); an indicator in itself that this has proved much more contentious across stakeholder groups than the senior team would have hoped.
To feedback, please use this Google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn3WtU4K_zRw7Kvuh9RcTL5PInKJh-xX-Wh9ht3aPh9tctQg/viewform
Key issues coming through from talking to members working within the current pastoral teams include the ‘hubbing’ of residential staff, the reduced number of Senior Resident roles, and the loss of considerable expertise and committed staff.