Marking and Assessment boycott and pay deductions

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

From an email sent to branch members 31 May 2023 by branch president Chloe Wallace

Reports from reps are that the Marking and Assessment Boycott is well supported and holding strong. This is also true nationally and some university leaders are breaking ranks and calling on UCEA to return to negotiations.

Sadly, we note that the university is sticking to its threat to deduct 100% of salary for those of us participating. The first letters notifying members of this appear to be going out. In response to this, we have launched a Wage Sharing Pledge to support Leeds members participating in the Marking and Assessment Boycott (see email 31 May 2023 for link).

If you are not responsible for marking or assessment and are therefore not likely to be deducted, please do commit to sharing , ideally, 10% of your post-tax income for each month in which members are deducted. If that is unaffordable, please pledge what you can.  At this point, this is just a pledge form in which you make a commitment to wage sharing. At the point at which it is clear that deductions will be made, we will be in touch with details of how to make the donation via the branch Hardship Fund.

We will update how much funding has been committed by members to demonstrate to both members and management that we will not let the latter intimidate us from taking legal and justified industrial action by threatening punitive deductions. Wage sharing is an act of solidarity to give members confidence that, if we stick together, we can win this.

If you do receive a formal individual notification that your pay will be deducted, it will contain a statement that any work you do is voluntary. That means that you would be entitled to stop work, but you should note that if you do so, it is more likely that you will experience deductions. If this happens, please contact your local rep – or ucu@leeds.ac.uk if you don’t have a local reps, and we will discuss and advise on strategy

If you have any questions, or just want to talk, remember our daily Solidaritea from 10-11 every morning (see email 31 May 2023 for link)

We are still awaiting news from natonal officers about our request to take retaliatory strike action and will keep you posted when we hear – they have to authorise any strike action.

To make matters worse, many of us will also be receiving pay deductions this pay slip- again, remember that you can claim from the national fighting fund and local hardship fund – details at local industrial action hardship fund.

If you are hourly paid/PGR or otherwise and have questions about claiming from the fighting fund/hardship fund, we are holding a meeting with PGR reps, officers, including our branch treasurer, at 3pm on Monday 5th June at on Zoom (see email 31 May 2023 for link).

If you are a PGR or hourly paid member of staff who has tried claim from the fighting fund/hardship fund for the previous strike wave and have questions about this, please get in touch with Kate Hardy via ucu@leeds.ac.uk – you do not need a wage slip to claim as long as you have some evidence of pay deducted and how much was deducted.

Branch committee 2023-2024 elected

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Members of the branch have elected the committee for the 2023-2024 academic year, at the annual general meeting 18 May. The new committee will take office 1 September.

President: Aisha Walker
Vice-president: Kate Hardy
Immediate past president Chloe Wallace (not an elected position)
Treasurer: Nigel Bubb
Honorary secretary: Vicky Blake
Membership officer: Emily Wheeler
Equality officer: Stephen Muir
Campaigns officer: Xanthe Whittaker
Health and safety officer: Neil Maughan
Anti-casualisation officer: Sandy James
Ordinary committee members:
Andi Rylands
Asiya Islam
Eva Sansavior
Hugh Hubbard
Jane Holgate
Jenny Rivas Perez
Mark Taylor-Batty
Mette Wiggen
Omar Al-Shehabi
Rachel Walls
Stuart Hodkinson
Tim Goodall
Tom Haines-Doran
Valeria Tolis

David Harvie and Laura Loyola Hernandez will join the branch committee from Tuesday 30 May 2023, as they are members of the branch who have been elected to the UCU national executive committee.

Vicky Blake has also been elected to the UCU national executive committee as well as being elected by the branch at the annual general meeting.

Committee elections

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

The annual committee (including branch officer) elections happen at or shortly after the annual general meeting (AGM), which is 3.45pm – 5pm on Thursday 18 May.

Uncontested posts are declared elected at the AGM, for contested posts a ballot of all members will be arranged following the AGM.

The deadline for nominations to committee is the day before the annual general meeting (so, Wednesday 17 May). 

Here’s information about the different roles on committee and about how to nominate colleagues: standing for election to the UCU committee

When making a nomination, or thinking of standing, it’s useful to consider the importance that the committee represents the whole membership and no one group is over-represented to the accidental exclusion of others, as happens some years (but not every year) with the over-representation of white and/or male UCU members.

Every branch officer and committee position is elected every year at or shortly after the AGM, and the term of office is the academic year (1 September to 31 August).

The only positions not up for election at the AGM are the immediate past president (which Chloe Wallace will become on 1 September) and any members elected to UCU’s national executive committee who are in this branch.

I would strongly encourage all UCU members to think about which of your colleagues might be good UCU reps, either on the branch committee or for your department (including UCU department postgraduate reps, anti-casualisation reps, equality reps, workload reps and health and safety reps). In doing so I’d encourage you to challenge any stereotype you have of what union reps are like, be conscious that white and male union members are more likely to put themselves forward, and bear in mind that while someone who is more vocal at raising problems might be a good rep, it might also be that they are already in a relatively more privileged situation so feel more able to complain without consequence. In my view a good union rep will often be someone that colleagues have confidence in, whose judgement they trust, and who is a good listener.

Alan Smith, branch administrator/organiser

Remember, nominations are also open for UCU department rep by-elections, where there are vacancies, until 12pm Thursday 8 June.

Department rep by-elections

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

This summer is not an all-out election for department reps (who serve a two year term (unless they are elected in a by-election part way through it), but there will automatically by a by-election to fill any vacancies.

Check the department reps list to see if there are unfilled roles in your area: is there a department rep, a department anti-casualisation rep, a department postgraduate rep, a department equality rep and a department health and safety rep? (Email ucu@leeds.ac.uk if you have questions about what the department area is for you for this election if that’s unclear, or about whether all those roles would be available, particularly for smaller departments.)

The deadline for nominations for those by-elections is 12pm Thursday 8 June (a couple of weeks after the AGM). I appreciate it is a bit early to remind you about this but it probably makes sense to think about it alongside thinking about who you want to nominate to be on the committee.

You can find out more about the department rep roles at choosing your UCU department representatives

I would strongly encourage all UCU members to think about which of your colleagues might be good UCU reps, either on the branch committee or for your department (including UCU department postgraduate reps, anti-casualisation reps, equality reps, workload reps and health and safety reps). In doing so I’d encourage you to challenge any stereotype you have of what union reps are like, be conscious that white and male union members are more likely to put themselves forward, and bear in mind that while someone who is more vocal at raising problems might be a good rep, it might also be that they are already in a relatively more privileged situation so feel more able to complain without consequence. In my view a good union rep will often be someone that colleagues have confidence in, whose judgement they trust, and who is a good listener.

Alan Smith, branch administrator/organiser

Remember, nominations are also open for the branch committee elections, until 17 May.

Assessment and marking boycott: information for students

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Dear students,

Dear students,

From 20th April 2023, Leeds University UCU members will be engaging in a marking and assessment boycott. Pay and working conditions negotiations between unions and the employer’s governing body, UCEA, reached an impasse in March, and after UCU renewed our mandate to take action for the next six months, UCU’s Higher Education Committee (HEC) called this action to further pressure our employers into returning to the negotiating table.

Senior management may well demand other staff, likely non-specialist staff, cover the marking of striking staff.  In short, the University Senior Management Team is willing to risk your grades at the hands of people who do not know what you have been taught or what the requirements for your assessments are. The actions of the University Senior Management Team will directly worsen your learning conditions and the value of your degree.

We, your teachers and professional services staff, want to continue to put the interest of students first, as we have tried to do throughout these disputes. While a volatile situation, we will continue to communicate with you, and outline here:

What shape a boycott takes

How we will continue to support you

What is in your power to shape the direction of this university

1. What will be affected:

A marking and assessment boycott delays delivery of grades and possibly as a consequence graduation:

Staff participating in the boycott will temporarily not mark your work.

Staff will not participate in exam boards.

This may delay graduation.

2. How we will continue to support you:

This is a dispute between staff and senior management, not between staff and students. We will do our best to ensure individual students are not disproportionately affected.

We will support students taking up offers for postgraduate studies. We will provide letters of recommendations if requires. The UK Higher Education sector knows that disruptions because of the dispute have affected students. They will be understanding and we will be communicative.

We will support students in job applications, writing references and indicating past and projected performance. You can email your tutors and advisors for reference letters, transcripts, etc. 

International students can contact us on ucu@leeds.ac.uk if they have concerns about time-sensitive visas.

This is a marking boycott, not a learning boycott. Teachers can provide informal feedback, continue to supervise postgraduate dissertations and support students preparing for their final assignment.

3. What is in your power

Students can change the direction of this dispute. The Senior Management Team are choosing not to limit disruption. You can convince them to listen to the needs of staff and students and ensure the University of Leeds becomes a fairer working and learning environment. There are several related routes you can take:

Write to the University of Leeds VC. Personalise it! Ask the University Senior Management to engage in meaningful negotiations with UCU. Ask them to pressure UCEA, the employer’s body.

You can raise a Notification with the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the regulatory body for UK Higher Education and relies on students raising concerns (as well as regular reporting by university governing bodies) to address issues with the student experience. A formal complaint is a lengthy process, but a ‘Notification’ makes OfS aware that the Leeds Senior Management Team has, whatever their claims, allowed disruption to students’ education and is jeopardising students’ graduation.

Stay in touch

We will keep you informed via our website. We want to keep you in the loop and continue to work with students to build a university that is supportive of everyone.

You can reach out to us to discuss concerns and plans. You can find the Leeds UCU union branch on twitter (@leedsucu), tiktok (@leedsucu), or via ucu@leeds.ac.uk  Leeds Student Staff Solidarity has a helpful overview of student support. You can find them on twitter (​​@SSSLeeds).

We hope that with your help, the Senior Management Team will engage in meaningful negotiations so that together with management we can improve your learning conditions and our working conditions.

In solidarity,

Your teachers and professional services staff

Reporting strike action and pay deductions

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

As I reported on Monday, I have been in discussion over the past few days with senior management in relation to pay deductions relating to our strike action in February and March, and specifically the threat to deduct additional pay on top of strike days lost. Management have now confirmed to committee’s satisfaction that no deductions have been taken in relation to that period of action. As a result, we expect a staff communication to go out shortly requiring staff to report their February and March strike days via ESS, and committee’s advice is that, once that communication has been issued, you should comply with that instruction.

It is an excellent outcome that no punitive deductions will be made and we can congratulate ourselves on sticking together and standing strong. I want to acknowledge hard work done by reps around this, and also acknowledge the particular contribution of members who are Heads of School and DSEs.

This post is from an email sent 27 April 2023 to branch members by Chloe Wallace, branch president.

May Day strike fundraiser – The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

1 May Day Strike fundraiser 7pm Holbeck Working Men’s club
Leeds TUC showing of Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and buffet (suitable for children 11+)

A one-man professional theatre production of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, a book that has changed many perspectives and lives. This is a social evening with a buffet to raise money and solidarity for workers taking industrial action across Leeds.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ragged-trousered-philanthropist-leeds-tuc-may-day-event-buffet-tickets-520795562547

Leeds TUC may day social evening The ragged trousered philanthropists "tremendous" the times- "highly entertaining" whatsonstage A one man magic show by Neil Gore based on the novel by Robert Tressell 'A company making a name for delivering politically committed theatre - the observer Leeds TUC may day event Monday, 1st May, 7pm - Holbeck Working Mens Club. A great night of solidarity and raising money for strikers. Buffet included. . Tickets £10 waged, £5 unwaged Buy them on eventbrite. Townsend theatre productions in association with FBU, HT, Unite, lottery funded Arts council England

29 April International Workers’ Day (May Day) Leeds TUC march and rally 11.30am

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

International Workers’ Day commemorates the many struggles and celebrates the gains of the labour movement for workers’ rights. Join trade unionists and community groups from across Leeds on Saturday 29 April for a (fairly short) march through Leeds and to come together at the rally.

Assemble outside Leeds Art Gallery at 11.30am. UCU will be represented in speeches alongside other unions and local MP Richard Burgon.

Friday 28 April Leeds Workers Memorial Day events

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by
28 April Workers' Memorial Day. Unions Make Work Safe. Remember the deal, fight for the living. TUC changing the world for good. Image of three workers, one in a medical face mask one in a firefighter's helmet

International Workers Memorial Day commemorates those who died or were injured through work, bringing us together to remember the dead and fight for the living. There are two events in Leeds on Friday, designed so that those who are able to do so can attend the city-wide commemoration and make their way back to campus for the University of Leeds ceremony.

11.45 am Leeds TUC ceremony: Assemble at the Workers memorial (outside Leeds Art Gallery) from 11.45am to observe a minute’s silence at 12 noon followed by some short speeches from trade union representatives, the Leader of Leeds City Council, Richard Burgon MP, and the laying of wreaths. The Unite Brass Band will perform which is always moving. Leeds UCU will lay a wreath at this ceremony. See: Leeds Workers Memorial Day Event | Megaphone UK

1.15pm Ceremony at University of Leeds: All staff are invited to attend a brief ceremony for Workers’ Memorial Day, held outside LUU. Students, members from local communities, members of staff, and their trade union representatives will gather by the University of Leeds Student Union to remember all workers who lost their lives to workplace illness or injury, and to recommit ourselves to keep our workplace safe. There will be short speeches from Hilary Benn MP, Tracy Brabin Mayor of West Yorkshire, and the University of Leeds’ Director of Health and Safety Services. Following these addresses, weather permitting, attendees will make their way to St Georges’ Fields to lay wreaths at the foot of the Workers’ Memorial Tree.

Reporting strike action via ESS

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

A reminder that the branch position, decided in a general meeting, is that we should not cooperate with the strike reporting system on ESS (Employee Self Service) whilst the university continues to threaten to deduct additional pay for refusal to replace lost learning.

You may have seen over Easter that management at Queen Mary have withdrawn their threat and I have written to the vice chancellor, attaching the petition that many of you signed, to ask again for the University of Leeds to do likewise. I will keep you  posted.

In the meantime, please remember that whilst we are asking you to not use ESS, you should reply truthfully if asked whether you took strike action. 

This post is from an email to UCU branch members from branch president Chloe Wallace, sent 19 April 2023