Category Archives: Wider campaigning

Trump: why Donald is so dangerous

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DATE: Thursday, July 5 TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 pm VENUE: Leeds University Business School, Maurice Keyworth lecture theatre, G.02 In anticipation of Donald Trump’s visit to London on July 13, Leeds UCU, Leeds Coalition Against War and Leeds Stand Up to Trump are hosting a Trump Teach-in: Why Donald is so Dangerous event. The confirmed speakers are: Trump, racism and the international far-right: Sam Kirk (Leeds Stand Up to Racism) Trump and war: speaker from National Stop the War Coalition, and Kathy Saemian (Iranian activist) Trump, Palestine and Israel: Prof. Richard Seaford (University of Exeter; British Committee for the Universities of Palestine) Trumpean Economics: Prof. Gary Dympski (University of Leeds) Trump and the Environment: Dr. Diane Nelson (University of Leeds) Following the talks, there will be further time for floor discussion and debate. continue reading

European trade unionism – Brussels study visit

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The TUC (Trade Union Congress) in Yorkshire and Humber has contacted trade union branches in the region looking for young (35 or under) members interested in a visit to Brussels to learn about the international role of trade unions. See message below, and please email ucu@leeds.ac.uk if you’d like an expression of interest form: Dear colleagues, The TUC is pleased to be offering a ‘European trade unionism – Brussels study visit’ for young members from our affiliated unions, taking place between 4-6th September 2018. The application form is attached. The focus on the visit will be: discovering trade unions’ international role, monitoring the status of working rights, learning about cross border collective bargaining, solidarity & making connections. The draft programme includes: Meetings with ETUC, ITUC, UNI Europa, IndustriALL and other European trade union partners A tour around the European Parliament and the opportunity to meet Labour as well as Socialist & Democrat MEPs to discuss Brexit & working rights in Europe Meeting the GMB and/or NUJ Brussels branches, as well as the Labour assistants working in the European Parliament Meeting the TUC international officer An opportunity for a structured study session on European Trade Union issues delivered by the Foundation … continue reading

EU staff rights and the Brexit negotiation – notes from today’s meeting

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Notes from today’s open meeting on EU staff rights and the Brexit negotiation are available as a powerpoint presentation: Brexit Summary Resources Nov 2017 (download) Latest advice from the university The next university EU Immigration Information Session for staff is 11am Wednesday 29 November, Clothworkers Central building, Speakman lecture theatre (G.89). Individual advice can also be booked, see the university link above. Immigration legal advice from UCU (both general briefing papers and individual legal support is available for UCU members) Here are some of the documents referred to in the discussion: The letter to the EU heads of state from The 3 Million (only available as PDF download) ‘Technical note’ from the UK government European parliament rejects UK response as inadequate and outlines its red lines for EU citizens UCU policy ‘we are international’ continue reading

USS Pension Consultative Ballot CLOSES TODAY – voting open until 5.15pm

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Your last chance to vote in the USS pension ‘consultative e-ballot’ from UCU is today at 5.15pm. It is *vital* that all members vote in this. Leeds UCU Committee urges you first of all to vote, and we recommend strongly that you vote to say yes, you are willing to take industrial action to defend pensions. Industrial action is always a serious step, but please be assured that in the event of any future action we will always do all we can to support members disproportionately affected by related deductions should that need arise. A recap on where we are is on this website at http://www.leedsucu.org.uk/archives/2664, The following links are also useful: Good clear blog post in the independent ‘Pension playpen’ USS latest news on national UCU website The USS employer consultation document (helpfully posted online by Sheffield university) (PDF) The response from UCU advisers First Actuarial (PDF)   An email went out this morning from UCU HQ to members who haven’t yet voted with the subject line ‘Last chance to vote: defend USS now’ so if this is you, please check your inboxes for that email. The original email to members with the voting link went out on 19 … continue reading

Support for Brighton UCU

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UCU University of Leeds has sent a message of support to colleagues at University of Brighton who have voted to strike over their management’s obstinate refusal to back down over plans which are detrimental to staff, trying to railroad through redundancies and demotions without serious attempts to find a negotiated, agreed solution with the union representing the staff. University of Leeds UCU sends full solidarity and support to our colleagues in University of Brighton UCU for their dispute over management breaches of trade union agreements and in defence of their negotiating rights, including the upcoming strikes on 20&21 March. We are deeply concerned to hear of the planned closure of the Hastings campus, and dismayed to learn of the assault by University of Brighton management on the working conditions of academic staff which is accompanied by the refusal to comply with the agreed disputes procedure after Brighton UCU invoked it in a bid to work towards a resolution. For a Vice Chancellor to announce that the University’s position is “that it does not require the agreement of the UCU in respect of these issues” is a flagrant bid to derecognise the UCU, to sideline members, and to impose deleterious conditions upon … continue reading