Category Archives: UCU democracy

Making UCU policy – deadline for motions

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Our next scheduled branch general meeting is on Wednesday 10 March, 12pm – 1pm If you would like to submit a motion to UCU Congress 2021, to help shape UCU’s national policy and strategy, this will be our last meeting to agree the motion. The deadline for motions to this meeting is 12pm Tuesday 2 March. Please email any motions for this meeting to ucu@leeds.ac.uk. Details of all the scheduled general meetings for this academic year Advice on writing a motion Motions to UCU Congress need to be no more than 150 words, plus title of no more than 10 words.

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Decisions of general meeting 8 December 2020

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Appointments to committee Equality officer: Lorraine Youds Anti-casualisation officers: Xanthe Whittaker and Joanne Armitage (role share) Committee member (lead on climate and the ecological emergency): Jennifer Fletcher The following motions were agreed: Motion 1: opposing redundancies at Leeds University Leeds UCU: Notes: Faculty of Biological Sciences management communication which hinted at compulsory redundancies if not ‘enough’ staff leave through the voluntary redundancy scheme. that UCU branches (eg. Heriot Watt, Brighton, Northumbria Universities) have recently won ballots for industrial action, despite the obstacles to campaigning during Covid-19 restrictions. Re-affirms our opposition to all redundancies. urges all members to sign the Leeds UCU petition opposing the ‘voluntary’ redundancies in the Faculty of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine. agrees to: demand a commitment from management that no compulsory redundancies will be proposed or made in FBS or SoM. call a dispute if management will not rule out compulsory redundancies. trigger the steps for an industrial action ballot if management pursues compulsory redundancies. Motion amended as above text and carried without opposition. Motion 2: Response to Funding Extensions for PGRs The Leeds UCU Branch notes that: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted many post-graduate research students (PGRs) because of their reduced ability … continue reading

Latest news from Leeds UCU

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Text of email sent to branch members by branch president Ben Plumpton on 20 August 2020 Dear members, I hope you are coping OK in these difficult times and that you and your families and friends are well.  There’s a lot to update you on  – so read on!  Also look out for a separate email with news about annual leave.   Contents:1. Redundancies and ending of fixed term contracts2. Health and safety update3. New university organisational change and redundancy policies4. Return to campus questionnaire5. Working from home costs6. Could you offer to become a caseworker?7. UCU levy8. Elections to Senate9. Fund the Future10. Next Vice President of UCU11. What next on our Four Fights dispute?12. UCU webinars, and how to get involved 1. Redundancies and ending of fixed term contracts Management told us they were intending to make 28 redundancies of staff employed for more than 4 years by the end of October, and a further 10 by the end of February.  Some of these have now been averted after extensions and redeployments, but we are urgently asking for discussions with management about the individuals remaining under threat in order to avoid redundancies.  In addition large numbers of staff on … continue reading

New UCU branch committee

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

The new UCU University of Leeds branch committee starts its one-year term of office today. Committee officers President: Ben PlumptonVice-president: Chloe WallaceImmediate past president: Vicky BlakeTreasurer: Aisha WalkerHonorary secretary: Tim GoodallMembership officer: Alaric HallEquality officer: Dima Barakat ChamiCampaigns officer: Lesley McGorriganHealth and safety officer: Neil MaughanAnti-casualisation officer: vacancy Committee members Alan RoeAlexa Athelstan-PriceAndy WestBrendon NichollsGabriella AlbertiHugh HubbardJane HolgateJonathan HumeLata NarayanaswamyLaura Loyola HernandezMark Taylor-BattyMark WalkleyMegan PoveyPaul SteensonRachel WallsRuth HollidaySue Taplin Your department reps are listed at leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/departmental-representatives

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Standing for election to the UCU committee

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Nominations are open for the branch committee for the next academic year, including all branch officer positions.  UCU members elect a branch committee every year around the Annual General Meeting to shape, lead and facilitate the branch member-led campaigns and activities. It really matters that the committee is representative, in the diversity of people and in role and contract types. When you’re thinking about which colleague to nominate or whether to stand yourself please take a moment consider the tendency to over-representation of white men on committees in general. If you’re interested and would like to know more, please get in touch with the branch administrator or one of the current committee members (optional!). You don’t have to have experience of being a union rep to be on the committee. Nominations are open now for all the elected committee roles for the 2020-2021 academic year*: Ordinary committee members (14 spaces) President Vice‑president Treasurer Honorary secretary Membership officer Equality officer Campaigns officer Health and safety officer Anti-casualisation officer Some ordinary committee members are likely to be asked to take a lead on particular issues by the new committee. These roles are not elected separately, so if you want to take the … continue reading