University of Leeds Local Association Committee

12pm-1pm, Tuesday 8 September 2015

Venue: Business School Maurice Keyworth SR (1.24)

Minutes

1. Attendance: Mark Taylor-Batty, Brendon Nicholls, Briony Thomas, Lesley McGorrigan, Hugh Hubbard, Nick Efford, Elwyn Isaac, Steve French, Alan Smith (administrator)
   Apologies: Gavin Reid, Ben Plumpton, Stephen Lax, Ann Blair, Mark Walkley, Gabriella Alberti, Malcolm Povey, Neil Maughan, Vicky Blake
2. Minutes of previous meeting: Agreed
3. Matters arising: There were no matter arising
4. New branch administrator:
   Mark welcomed Alan to the branch and explained Alan is also employed as an organiser and will be helping with recruitment, campaigns and communications.
5. Promotions documents
   Trade Union Side met management about proposed academic-related document on 7 September. TUS stressed members perceptions is academic-related lack of promotion opportunities – in some cases have ‘no promotion’ clauses in their contracts and our perception is the threat of downgrading is also a serious problem. TUS requested data from management around promotions of academic-related staff, and said we will consider that data before looking at the proposed re-wording of the promotions document.
   Discussed lines to take with rewording of academic promotion document. Removing of gendered language is welcome, but some of the simplification risk making promotions more difficult to get in some circumstances. Concerns raised that they are using HERA, rather than HERA-related as previously assured. TUS will request that role profiles are published on the website again, as these have been removed.
   Noted that a workshop had raised issues about the mechanism, not just the wording, but these haven’t been addressed yet in the proposals.
6. (One) IT
   Management proposing response to situation in IT which may make the situation worse. Serious concerns to raise at JCUU and if necessary ESRG
7. Cubane
   Agreed to take to JCUU
8. Car parking
   Members shocked by the increased costs. Management stating these were ‘agreed’ but they must mean agreed with other parts of management as not agreed by trade unions. To raise at General Meeting.
9. Setting date for General Meeting
   Meeting will be 7 October 2pm
10. Setting away day agenda
    Ref and Tef, Cubane, pay dispute, Prevent, access to facilities for former employees, job security and casualisation, comms, surgeries / roadshows / themed meetings, recruitment and organisation, casework
11. Manchester pay discussion
    Committee members to let Mark know if they want to attend
12. Refugee crisis
    Collecting items in UCU office or with Mark or Lesley, working with LUU.
13. Co-option
    Carry over to following Committee
14. School of Education
    Concerns raised, to consider raising at ESRG