Frequently Asked Questions on the Casualisation, Equality, Workload and Pay ballot

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Where will I find my ballot paper?What is the last date for submitting my ballot paper?I haven’t received a ballot paper.  How do I request a replacement?Why can’t we vote online? I’m sure that would boost numbers significantly. Particularly upset by the large amount of paper used when it could all be online.What are we trying to achieve? What is the goal?Various issues were conflated in the strikes which again makes it difficult to know what the goal is – was this about pay – or casualization?Pensions are more important to me than pay – I’d prefer if the union would sort out our pensions first before starting another dispute about pay.Why is the union re-balloting?I’m not sure if I want to strike, should I abstain?I’m on a good grade and happy with my pay.  Why should I strike?UCU seems to be against any change to working conditions whether it is reasonable (in line with common business practice) or not.Why do we need to take action? Where will I find my ballot paper? It will either be at your home address or at work, depending on which address you chose when you completed your UCU registration or updated your membership … continue reading

Dispute over casualisation, equal pay, workload and fair pay

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Your industrial action ballot paper should have arrived shortly after 16 January 2019. It’s vital for our union democracy that you use your vote. Don’t be silenced. The vote has to be done by post because the government made it illegal to run industrial action ballots online Why are we balloting again? Last October Leeds members voted clearly to strike – 70% in favour – over casualisation, gender equality, workload and fair pay. The turnout locally was 49%. It was the highest national turnout on a pay ballot in UCU’s history. The new anti-trade union law stopped us from striking. We think members should decide, not the government. We’re re-balloting to exceed the 50% legal threshold so your decision counts. Please use your vote – democracy is important We need to know what the whole membership thinks about taking action, so please vote whatever your view. To help us get the turnout needed for our votes to count, please tell UCU when you’ve voted. The ballot is open until midday Friday 22nd February. We urge all members to vote Yes to strike and Yes to action short of a strike including a marking boycott. Requesting replacement ballot paper If you … continue reading

We need action – how and why!

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Email sent to all members 25 January 2019 Dear Members, This email contains important information about our live UK-wide ballot, free pizza, and the upcoming UK-wide UCU elections. We’ve recently lodged our branch [anti-casualisation claim] and pushing hard for further progress over our branch equal pay claim. We will be pursuing further meetings about the significant problems in IT, and continuing with quite a volume of individual and collective casework. We’re all working hard as a branch, and it makes me ever proud to be Leeds UCU – but that’s not why I am emailing you today… In this email: Ballot Day! + pre-meeting for Postgraduate Members (5 Feb, 12pm, free pizza!)Why is there so much we have to POST by snail mail?Why the Casualisation, Equal Pay, Fair Pay + Workload ballot mattersWhat about USS? Ballot Celebration Day 5 February, Refectory Entrance Tuesday 5th February – Ballot Day! Come for a free slice of pizza and an “I’ve voted” sticker to celebrate union democracy in the casualisation, gender equality, workload and fair pay dispute. We’ll be in the Refectory entrance from 12 – 1pm. If you haven’t voted yet, there is a post box just there so you can post your ballot paper … continue reading

Don’t be silenced

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Last October Leeds members voted clearly to strike – 70% in favour – over casualisation, gender equality, workload and fair pay. But the anti-trade union law stopped us from striking, silencing our democratic voice as a union. The turnout locally was 49%. It was the highest national turnout on a pay ballot in UCU’s history. But the law brought in by the government in 2016 requires a 50% turnout, while things which would make it easier for people to vote, online voting or workplace ballot boxes, it keeps illegal. The government has no real interest in trade union democracy, it wants low turnouts so that trade unions don’t strike We think members should decide what we do as a trade union, not the government. We’re re-balloting to exceed the 50% legal threshold so your decision counts. Both the national and local elected committees are recommending that members vote vote YES to strike action and YES to action short of a strike because we think strike action is needed to make the national employers body take our concerns seriously. At the moment they are refusing to have meaningful talks on any of these issues at a national level. However you vote, … continue reading

UCU anti-casualisation claim submitted to University of Leeds

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UCU regional official Julie Kelley has formally submitted our anti-casualisation claim on behalf of the union. The claim sets out clearly what we want the university to do to end job insecurity at the University of Leeds. We have requested formal talks with the university senior management. The text of the claim is available in full below or to download as a PDF Full text of our anti-casualisation claim University and College Union: University of Leeds Casualisation – formal heads of claim 1.             Introduction The issue of the use of insecure contracts in the higher education sector now has a very high public profile. This is an issue of national priority for the University and College Union, and for this branch at the University of Leeds. We believe that we have a common interest in improving the contractual terms of employment of staff in higher education. While a few individuals are likely to find them appropriate to their circumstances, the truth is that for the majority insecure contracts have a seriously detrimental effect on the wellbeing of university staff. In a UCU survey of staff on insecure contracts 42% said that they had struggled to pay the bills. More than … continue reading