University of Leeds Local Association Committee

1pm-2pm, Tuesday 22 September 2015

Venue: Baines Wing G.03

Minutes

Present: Mark Taylor-Batty, Brendan Nicholls, Neil Maughan, Hugh Hubbard, Mark Walkley, Malcolm Povey, Steven French, Paul Steenson, Nigel Bubb, Gabriella Alberti, Lesley McGorrigan, Ann Blair, Nick Efford, Ben Plumpton, Alan Smith (admin)

1. Apologies
   Steven Lax, Vicky Blake
2. Minutes: agreed
3. Matters arising
   Co-options
   The following co-options to the Committee were agreed:
   Brendan Nicholls formally co-opted so that both joint Honorary Secretaries may vote at the committee
   Tim Goodall co-opted as Environment Representative
   The Committee can co-opt 4 members, and will seek to co-opt a member on a fixed-term or casual contract and a post-graduate representative.
   Refugees
   Agreed it would be useful to have a motion to the general meeting; agreed to talk to LUU about what more we can do together; agreed to liaise with CARA and discuss possibly having a speaker at the general meeting
   General meeting
   14 October agreed as new date, and 25 November agreed for subsequent meeting. Alan to put notice out this afternoon. The committee authorises Brendon to set dates for the year.
   Car parking
   Agreed to put members’ issues to JCUU.
4. Joint Committee of the University and UCU (JCUU)
   Agreed that JCUU minutes can be circulates to the Senate if they are agreed by Secretaries of both Management Side (MS) and Trade Union Side (TUS).
   JCUU TUS will normally be Mark, Brendon and Vicky plus one other delegate, in addition to the regional officer and Alan to keep notes.
5. Statutes
   Congratulations to negotiators – current proposals infinitely better than they were a year ago.
   Date of next meeting not set. Must have principle of no detriment.
   Among issues discussed: serious concern that “some other significant reason” clause for dismissal, if not a disciplinary or capability matter, could be used for senior management strategic aims
   Negotiating team to raise issues discussed with the employer.
6. Fixed-term contract policy
   A number of concerns were raised about the policy, including that it would give more freedom for the employer to use fixed-term contracts because it gives examples rather than prescribed circumstances. Negotiators would seek to improve the policy further. JCUU trade union side to request details including rationale of new fixed terms contracts on ongoing basis.*
7. Pay campaign questions
   The committee agreed responses to the UCU consultation on the pay campaign
8. Prevent policy and motion
   JCUU TUS will seek an update from employer. Agreed it might be good to have a motion on this for the general meeting.
9. Inviting reps to attend the committee (in non-voting capacity)
   Principle agreed, with 4 abstentions, but not clear if allowed in the rules. Agreed that a more detailed proposal would be brought to the next Committee
10. Facilities
    This and subsequent items were not discussed as the meeting closed
11. Casework time buy-out
12. Annual leave
13. USS
14. Any other business