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Author Archives: Alan Smith

Minutes of the Committee meeting 20 October 2015

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University of Leeds Local Association Committee 1pm-2pm, Tuesday 20 October 2015 Venue: Baines Wing G.03 Minutes Present: Mark Taylor-Batty (President), Ben Plumpton, Mark Walkley, Nick Efford, Steve Lax, Tim Goodall, Paul Steenson, Lesley McCorrigan, Elwyn Isaac, Neil Maughan, Brendon Nicholls, Hugh Hubbard, Alan Smith (administrator) Apologies: Malcolm Povey, Steven French, Ann Blair, Jeremy Toner, Andy West, Vicky Blake, Gabriella Alberti, Nigel Bubb Minutes agreed with following amendments: Mark Taylor-Batty, Andy West and Alan Smith were present Matters arising Co-option of anti-casualisation rep: no nominations received Website: exploring options available in UCU hosted site Motions to the October General Meeting: committee motions on the refugee crisis and Prevent were carried. Lesley to work with the action group to progress actions. RIS (Research Innovations Service) Mark Taylor-Batty reported on issues. Possible concerns raised about fixed-term contracts, HEIF funded. To review the position in November. Annual leave Update on employer proposal to take 8 days annual leave from small number of former Bretton Hall staff who came to University of Leeds with TUPE protected conditions, to ‘normalise’ their contracts. No apparent problem that this proposal is needed to solve. UCU will oppose. Facilities money Approved use of facilities for: mobile phones for union use … continue reading

Leeds Migration Research Network open letter

Members of the Leeds Migration Research Network have written an open letter to the university’s vice-chancellor (below). The letter calls for the University to provide an effective response to the current international migrant crisis and highlights a series of priority areas. In particular it calls on the Vice Chancellor to: • establish a set of scholarships for asylum seeking students, • remove overseas charges for students in the asylum system. • deliver the aims and objectives of the Access Agreement with special reference to refugees and asylum seekers. • publicly support the Action for ESOL campaign and promote appropriate ESOL provision for adult migrants • actively encourage and resource the building of links between University Faculties and Schools and refugees charities The network want to encourage all staff and students to add their signatures to the letter to increase pressure on the university to do more. To add your name to the letter follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tm0Q-WhOZXUBqN9GRxDPg_fIUEm7aaCY9-edXbyVzZc/viewform?c=0&w=1 OPEN LETTER FROM STAFF TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS Dear Vice-Chancellor, With this letter we call for the University to provide an effective response to the current international migrant crisis and highlight a series of priority areas where we expect the VC to … continue reading


Prevent – UCU local association agreed motion

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The following motion was agreed by the all-members general meeting on 14 October. (The minutes of that meeting are subject to approval of the all-members general meeting on 25 November.) University of Leeds UCU local association notes the new “Prevent Duty” being imposed on Higher and Further Education providers. The Local Association commends the response of the national UCU on this matter. The branch observes that this duty erodes staff and students’ academic freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of debate. The branch notes further that the definition of extremism as “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values” is a direct attack on ethnic minorities. It undermines the free exchange of ideas and undermines democratic social inclusion. The branch believes that the effect of this definition will be to institutionalise both racism and Islamophobia. University of Leeds UCU local association resolves to work with UCU HQ to develop a policy of non-co-operation with the “Prevent Duty,” up to and including branch boycotts.

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Refugee crisis – UCU local association agreed motion

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The following motion was agreed by the all-members general meeting on 14 October. (The minutes of that meeting are subject to approval of the all-members general meeting on 25 November.) This branch notes: The worst refugee crisis since the end of World War II with millions fleeing their homes looking for refuge in Europe. Since 2000 around 30,000 migrants or refugees have died in their attempts to reach or stay in Europe, with the highest figures recorded in the past two years. The continuing plight of refugees in Calais and elsewhere in Europe escaping from war, political oppression, poverty and violence. The demonization of migrants and asylum seekers by the media and the government. The inadequate response by the Tory government, for example, only allowing in just 20,000 refugees by 2020 on a temporary basis in the first instance, and only from camps in the Lebanon. The heartening public response to the crisis e.g. collections, donations etc. That the University of Leeds is collaborating with Leeds City Council to promote Leeds as a City of Sanctuary. That other universities such as the University of East London have committed to offer at least ten postgraduate scholarships to Syrian refugees. We note … continue reading

Proposed minutes of the general meeting 14 October 2015

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These minutes are proposed subject to approval by the general meeting 25 November. University of Leeds Local Association 1pm-2pm, Wednesday 14 October 2015 Venue: Roger Stevens LT18 (8.18) Minutes of the General Meeting Forty-four members attended. The meeting was chaired by Mark Taylor-Batty. Minutes: the minutes of the general meeting 30 March were agreed Matters arising: there were no matters arising not covered by the agenda. Pay In the consultative ballot less than 50% of the membership indicated support for strike action. The University of Leeds UCU Committee urged for a continued campaign on 2015 pay. The UCU Higher Education Committee agreed last Friday, in a close vote, to focus on building the union’s campaign for better pay in 2016. This general meeting discussed possible campaign strategies. Mark Taylor-Batty encouraged members to join the campaign group and help run the union’s campaigns. Refugee crisis Motion 1: migration and refugee crisis Moved by Gabriella Alberti on behalf of the Local Association Committee. Text below is as amended. This branch notes: The worst refugee crisis since the end of World War II with millions fleeing their homes looking for refuge in Europe. Since 2000 around 30,000 migrants or refugees have died in … continue reading

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