Author Archives:

Striking soon – important update

Posted on by

Text from branch president Ben Plumpton’s email to members Unless negotiations are successful in the meantime, Leeds UCU will be on strike with 59 other branches for 8 days from Monday 25th November to Wednesday 4th December inclusive, after the impressive results of our ballots on the two disputes: Four Fights (casualisation, workloads, equality and pay) and USS pensions. We will be on strike in both disputes at the same time. Action short of a strike will begin from 25th November and will be ongoing. Our employer has been notified. What we are asking you to do This is very serious. We ask each and every UCU member to walk out together on the strike dates. It is with good reasons that we have decided, collectively, to take this action, and that you voted so decisively at Leeds to do so. All UCU members who work for the University of Leeds can take strike action, however long you’ve been a member, however you voted in the ballots, whatever type of contract you are on, and whether or not you have completed probation. If you have concerns about your particular situation, for example over clinical or similar issues, please get in … continue reading

Two ballots – results

Posted on by

Results were announced on 31st October for our two industrial action ballots. Leeds turnout was just over 60% for both, which means we beat the 50% threshold imposed by the Tory anti-trade-union legislation. That’s brilliant, thank you to everyone who voted. As always it’s vital that you have your democratic say in union decision making. The results for Leeds are as follows: Four Fights dispute (casualisation, workload, equality and pay) In favour of strike action: 74.95% In favour of action short of a strike: 83.36% USS pensions dispute In favour of strike action: 78.12% In favour of action short of a strike: 85.43% This gives our branch a mandate to take industrial action on both disputes. Thank you for supporting the recommendation of your branch officers and committee, and the General Secretary! The turnout in some branches didn’t quite make the 50%, which means that some branches will be able to take action and some won’t. We expect that some branches who were close to the 50% will re-ballot. Across the UK, 79% of UCU members who voted backed strike action in the ballot over changes to pensions, and 74% of members polled backed strike action on the Four Fights … continue reading

UCU Democracy – EGM 7th November

Posted on by

Leeds UCU is holiding a special meeting to discuss union democracy and the work of the UCU Democracy Commission on Thursday 7th November at 1 pm Roger Stevens LT 16 (12.16. See directions and accessibility info.). The meeting will also consider the emergency motion on Rojava deferred from the last General Meeting through lack of time. Background  The Democracy Commission was elected and convened following an important motion to Congress 2018 in the wake of concerns regarding democratic structures and processes in the union during and after the 2018 USS strikes. There were particular concerns about the accountability of the leadership. The Commission was co-chaired by our very own Vicky Blake (past President of Leeds UCU and now UK Vice President), and our Campaigns Officer Lesley McGorrigan is also on the commission.Vicky Blake will be joining us to give some background and explain the proposals in the final report.The Democracy Commission brought an interim report and recommendations to Congress 2019, and presents its final report and recommendations at the Special Congress on 7 December. We now need to feed back our views from the branch. Our delegates (elected at our last General Meeting) will represent us and they need to … continue reading

Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting 10 July 2019

Posted on by

Wednesday 10 July 2019, 12pm – 1pm, Michael Sadler LG.15 Chaired by Jonathan Saha, honorary secretary. USS pensions dispute Motion 1: USS pensions This branch notes that: The USS strikes in 2018 ended with an agreement that Defined Benefit pensions should not be scrapped and that a Joint Expert Panel (JEP) should be set up to reconsider the USS valuation.The University of Leeds broadly supported the JEP recommendations, including the levels of contributions proposed.If the JEP recommendations were applied to the 2018 valuation, there would be no ‘deficit’ and the member contribution rate could be 8%, as it was before the 2017 valuation. USS are nevertheless planning to impose further contribution increases, to 9.6% of salary from October 2019, and 11% after 2020.A UCU-appointed USS trustee has acted as whistleblower over the way USS has misrepresented advice from the Pensions Regulator (tPR) which has affected the valuation.UCU has called a dispute with employers over USS, with a ballot for industrial action to be held in September and October.UCU has announced further financial support for lower paid members taking industrial action, if this ballot is successful.Leeds UCU at our AGM in May 2019 supported upholding the UCU position of ‘No Detriment’ … continue reading

Minutes of General Meeting 2 May 2019

Posted on by

Thursday 2 May 2019, 1pm – 2pm Roger Stevens lecture theatre 4 (8.04) 1. Minutes of General Meeting on Tuesday 16 April 2019 Minutes agreed. 2. Amendments to motions on the UCU congress agenda 2.1 Amendment to EQ17 Gender Identity after the 2018 Gender Recognition Act (GRA) consultation Line 3: At the end of the first sentence add ‘and modern evidence indicates that neither are binary’. At the end of the last sentence add ‘and formal recognition of non-binary status for data gathering purposes.’ Carried. 2.2 Amendment to EQ 18 Respectful dialogue on gender/gender diversity i. in Congress notes 1, delete from ‘potentially … practices’, add after ‘have’; ‘the potential to significantly improve trans people’s lives’. ii. in 3. insert ‘trans and other’ between ‘feminist’ and ‘scholars’. iii.In Congress believes a. add after ‘equality’: ‘under the Equality Act 2010 and other legislation, and supports proposed changes to the 2004 GRA.’ iv. in Congress believes c. delete ‘potential conflicts of’, insert ‘the’ before ‘rights’, and insert ‘of oppressed groups’ after ‘rights’. v. In ‘Congress calls on UCU to ii; add ‘and trans people’ after ‘academics’. vi. In final sentence, add ‘underpinned by solidarity with all oppressed groups and promote unity in … continue reading