Author Archives: Alan Smith

Eyewitness report from the Calais ‘jungle’ refugee camp

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All members and none members are invited to an open meeting with Lesley McGorrigan and Jeremy Toner, Leeds University UCU members, for an eyewitness report from the Calais ‘jungle’ refugee camp. Wednesday 5 October, 1pm-2pm Rogers Stevens lecture theatre 10 Lesley kept a blog of her experiences there, which is an excellent insight into the reality behind the news headlines: calaiscalling.wordpress.com/ You can help to promote the event by sticking this poster up in your workplace: calais-poster-oct-16

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General Meeting

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All members general meeting, 29 September, 1pm – 2pm, Michael Sadler Building, lower ground floor, seminar room LG15. Agenda Minutes and matters arising from previous meetings EU and Brexit Free movement motion –University of Leeds UCU local association This UCU local association notes that existing UCU policy on migration and labour markets recognises the social, cultural and economic value of migration and opposes all forms of racism and the Points-Based Immigration Scheme. This policy was strongly condemmend by the UCU Congress 2009’s resolution as “discriminatory and an attack on the civil liberties of international staff and students”; “likely to lead to draconian absence and sickness policies being introduced”; “likely to severely damage the international status, and quality of education and research in institutions due to the loss of overseas staff and students”; “counter to our core values of academic freedom and equality”; imposing extra duties including the monitoring and surveillance of international staff and students (Link to UCU guidance). This policy, however, does not explicitly refer to a commitment to defend the free movement of labour, including for all workers in higher education. This UCU local association further notes that the existing free movement of labour within the European Economic … continue reading

Calais calling

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          “I am spending two weeks volunteering with Care4calais which provides food, other basic supplies and social activities, including language classes, to refugees in the Calais camp known as the ‘Jungle’. My goal is to go beyond delivering charity; to be part of collective solidarity offering strength and hope to the refugees.” Lesley McGorrigan, campaigns secretary of our UCU local association, has written a fascinating blog of her work in the Calais refugee camp over the summer. The text and photos are a real insight into the lives of the refugees there: calaiscalling.wordpress.com  

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Emergency General Meeting

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All members are invited to a UCU University of Leeds local association emergency general meeting on Wednesday 6 July at 1pm, in Clothworkers North Building lecture theatre 2.31 (cinema). The agenda is: 1. EU referendum result To discuss and debate the implications of the EU referendum for our university and the sector 2. IT restructure An update from the negotiating team 3. UCU president The committee has voted to appoint Tim Goodall as president for 2016-17 under rule 8.9 because the Annual General Meeting didn’t elect a president. The committee is seeking the general meeting’s approval of that decision. How to get to Clothworkers North Building lecture theatre 2.31 (cinema): From the main door of Clothworkers North building, go through two sets of double doors and head down the corridor. Go up to level two using staircase 2. Follow the corridor around. The Cinema room is straight ahead.

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Minutes of committee 14 June 2016

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1pm-2pm, Tuesday 14 June 2016 Venue: Baines Wing G.03 minutes Present: Mark Taylor-Batty (president), Andy West, Mark Walkley, Neil Maughan, Steven French, Jonathan Saha, Tim Goodall, Ben Plumpton, Steve Lax, Briony Thomas, Lesley McGorrigan, Hugh Hubbard, Elwyn Isaac, Gavin Reid, Brendon Nicholls, Alan Smith (administrator). Also present Heather Blakey and Nicolas Van Labeke elected to the 2016-2017 committee. Apologies: Vicky Blake, Jeremy Toner, Ann Blair, Gabriella Alberti, Malcolm Povey, Nick Efford, Nigel Bubb, Paul Steenson Minutes and matters arising Minutes agreed. We have informed the university that we are not content with the privatisation of the first year of degree courses and have demanded further discussions Vacancy for president for 2016-17 With committee’s agreement, the incoming committee was briefly convened to make a decision on this issue. In accordance with rule 8.9 the incoming committee agreed to appoint Tim Goodall as president subject to approval by a subsequent general meeting. Agreed that the general meeting on 20 June would not be asked to approve this as the item had not been notified to the membership in the convening notice for that meeting. IT recording of failure to agree We have recorded a failure to agree. Concerns we raised around restructure … continue reading