A Brief Update for Members
Vote for Loes Veldpaus in the NEC Elections
The deadline for the Casual Vacancy elections to the National Executive Committee is 18 September. This is a postal ballot. The branch has endorsed Loes as candidate. Her fantastic work as equality officer and as an organiser and negotiator in our recent dispute should be recommendation enough. Please vote (see 5 September email from HQ if you need a replacement ballot, but be quick). Thank you.
The UK Pay and Redundancies Campaign and Local Fights Against Job Losses
A postscript to the message from Jo Grady, our General Secretary, yesterday. The dispute that all the HE unions have signed up to with the employers is on the following grounds more than just pay:
- A pay uplift that is at least RPI + 3.5% or £2,500, whichever higher, on all pay points;
- The protection of national agreements relating to terms and conditions of employment, including the 2004 framework agreement, and HE2000;
- National agreement to avoid redundancies, course closures, and cuts to academic disciplines across the sector.
33 branches are currently in local disputes, mostly over job losses. Edinburgh University are out this entire week. After the withdrawal of the threatened job losses here in June, other branches have also had successes Dundee, Cardiff, Sheffield, Liverpool Hope, Liverpool. The resistance is spreading and we are working to offer meaningful support, just as we received magnificent solidarity. But a UK-wide dispute is desperately lacking given the unprecedented crisis in Higher Education. We will be organising branch and section meetings to talk through the national campaign and why we need a yes vote. If you want to be involved in Getting the Vote Out, please email ucu.office@ncl.ac.uk. We will be holding a branch meeting on Wednesday 24 September 1pm. Details to follow.
Challenging the Rise of the Far Right
A big thank you to members who’ve participated in the counter-protests to the far right that have targeting refugees over the summer. Members have attended every single one of the Newcastle protests. It is crucial that the unions take this work seriously. There is transport going down to London for the counter-protest to Tommy Robinson this Saturday. Details and tickets available here:
Stand Up to Racism has called a counterdemonstration at Grey’s monument, Newcastle, on 27th September, at noon. This is to oppose the far right who are mobilising nationally to march and rally in Newcastle, with UKIP and its leader Nick Tenconi, calling for mass deportations, and joined by AdvanceUK, Tommy Robinson and Ben Habib. For details of the counter-protest: https://www.facebook.com/events/665839663169723/
Workplace Day of Action for Gaza, 6 October
Anyone wishing to help, please get in touch and we’ll set up an organizing meeting. ucu@ncl.ac.uk.
Ask People to Join the Union
We are stronger together. Please ask new colleagues to join. If you are a rep, ask to address your local new staff or PGR inductions (or invite someone from committee to do so). www.ucu.org.uk/join