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UCU Branch News

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Our October newsletter is out now. It’s available as a PDF to download at LeedsUCUnewsletterOct15 and some print copies will be available. The full text of the newsletter is below: Pay rise 2015 (and 2016) In the 2015 pay bargaining round the employers put forward a take-it-or-leave-it offer of 1%. UCU held a consultative ballot of members in June to help decide on a campaign approach. A majority supported action short of a strike (ASOS) but not strike action. A close vote at the HEC consequently decided that ASOS without the threat of strike action to back it up would be ineffective, the 1% will be ‘noted’ and a claim for 2016 delivered early. “Like many members I’m disappointed by how this vote went,” says Mark Taylor-Batty, the Leeds UCU President. “But we now need to focus our anger at an effective pay cut of 15% since 2010 on a strong campaign to address some of that erosion in 2016.” We need your ideas at a general meeting / action group meetings on how to take this forward. More info at http://wp.me/p1X58R-qk Car parking The university intends to ramp up car parking charges (by about 50%) from January, to pay … continue reading

Minutes of committee meeting 8 September

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University of Leeds Local Association Committee 12pm-1pm, Tuesday 8 September 2015 Venue: Business School Maurice Keyworth SR (1.24) Minutes Attendance: Mark Taylor-Batty, Brendon Nicholls, Briony Thomas, Lesley McGorrigan, Hugh Hubbard, Nick Efford, Elwyn Isaac, Steve French, Alan Smith (administrator) Apologies: Gavin Reid, Ben Plumpton, Stephen Lax, Ann Blair, Mark Walkley, Gabriella Alberti, Malcolm Povey, Neil Maughan, Vicky Blake Minutes of previous meeting: Agreed Matters arising: There were no matter arising New branch administrator: Mark welcomed Alan to the branch and explained Alan is also employed as an organiser and will be helping with recruitment, campaigns and communications. Promotions documents Trade Union Side met management about proposed academic-related document on 7 September. TUS stressed members perceptions is academic-related lack of promotion opportunities – in some cases have ‘no promotion’ clauses in their contracts and our perception is the threat of downgrading is also a serious problem. TUS requested data from management around promotions of academic-related staff, and said we will consider that data before looking at the proposed re-wording of the promotions document. Discussed lines to take with rewording of academic promotion document. Removing of gendered language is welcome, but some of the simplification risk making promotions more difficult to get … continue reading

Minutes of committee meeting 22 September

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University of Leeds Local Association Committee 1pm-2pm, Tuesday 22 September 2015 Venue: Baines Wing G.03 Minutes Present: Mark Taylor-Batty, Brendan Nicholls, Neil Maughan, Hugh Hubbard, Mark Walkley, Malcolm Povey, Steven French, Paul Steenson, Nigel Bubb, Gabriella Alberti, Lesley McGorrigan, Ann Blair, Nick Efford, Ben Plumpton, Alan Smith (admin) Apologies Steven Lax, Vicky Blake Minutes: agreed Matters arising Co-options The following co-options to the Committee were agreed: Brendan Nicholls formally co-opted so that both joint Honorary Secretaries may vote at the committee Tim Goodall co-opted as Environment Representative The Committee can co-opt 4 members, and will seek to co-opt a member on a fixed-term or casual contract and a post-graduate representative. Refugees Agreed it would be useful to have a motion to the general meeting; agreed to talk to LUU about what more we can do together; agreed to liaise with CARA and discuss possibly having a speaker at the general meeting General meeting 14 October agreed as new date, and 25 November agreed for subsequent meeting. Alan to put notice out this afternoon. The committee authorises Brendon to set dates for the year. Car parking Agreed to put members’ issues to JCUU. Joint Committee of the University and UCU (JCUU) … continue reading