Category Archives: Workload

Important UCU updates: Ballot + General Secretary + Leeds general meeting + elections

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Text of email sent to all members 25 February 2019 by branch president Vicky Blake In this email: ·        2 important updates: ballot result and General Secretary resignation ·        Your feedback for future UCU strategy ·        Reminder of very important UCU General Meeting (13 March) + motions deadline (5 March) INCLUDING call for Congress delegates + motions! ·        Thank you Leeds UCU Updates: Ballot:We received [news] on Friday that the UCU UK-wide aggregated ballot of higher education members came out strongly in favour of taking action and action short of strike (ASOS), but that this result has again been stymied by anti-democratic, anti-trade union laws. We are very disappointed that we are unable to take action at the UK-level at this time, but we are also very determined to make progress in our local work over our formal Anti-Casualisation claim for which negotiations will begin in March, over the gender pay gap claim we’re already pursuing, and on joint-unions work to address workload at Leeds. The Trade Union Act 2016 requires all ballots over industrial action to reach 50% turnout, which is a greater restriction than is placed on turnout for the election of politicians who make these decisions. Prior to 2016, we would … continue reading

Strength in numbers: don’t be silenced

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Text from email to all members sent 19 February 2019 Dear Members, The message is very simple. We have even made another song to illustrate it: enjoy! We need you to vote in the current ballot, and we would ideally like you to vote “YES YES” in support of willingness to take strike action and action short of a strike in the pursuit of a decent offer from our employers on (click each heading for a link): Secure work Gender pay gapFair payWorkload If you have already voted, THANK YOU for helping to keep our union strong. Please help us to get the remaining votes out by spending 5-10 minutes talking to colleagues and friends in higher education to make sure they have too! We need all votes to be received by Friday 22 February, meaning Wednesday is the last “safe day to post (but if you find anyone yet to post on Thursday, it’s still worth it! If you have not yet voted, PLEASE dig out that ballot and get it in the post right now. This matters; it is a matter of our collective strength and standing up for one another. Every single vote, in every single branch, in every … continue reading

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