tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88066181949539074342024-03-13T16:47:46.983+00:00UNISON Senate House and Edexcel BranchUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-53681774515133720792018-09-11T09:09:00.001+01:002018-09-11T09:09:14.285+01:00New UNISON Senate House Branch WebsiteWe now have a new and improved website which you can find using the following link:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://senatehouse.unison.site/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">https://senatehouse.unison.site/</span></a></span></div>
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As a result this website will no longer be updated so please use the new one for all the information you need about your UNISON Senate House branch.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNwFlEFPh74/W5d3xQFq5xI/AAAAAAAAC6U/ocRuyL4HAwU3uQEyAjZnl0yW9o72FMrJwCLcBGAs/s1600/Website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="474" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNwFlEFPh74/W5d3xQFq5xI/AAAAAAAAC6U/ocRuyL4HAwU3uQEyAjZnl0yW9o72FMrJwCLcBGAs/s320/Website.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-86153481211061522812018-07-09T14:33:00.002+01:002018-07-09T14:34:57.293+01:00HE pay offer consultation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7Hyo2cNEBc/W0NkCGLWM7I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/lNXfbIXUnQEpiEyVW7ce5evHojIGrygiQCLcBGAs/s1600/25162_HE_pay_socialmedia_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="748" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7Hyo2cNEBc/W0NkCGLWM7I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/lNXfbIXUnQEpiEyVW7ce5evHojIGrygiQCLcBGAs/s320/25162_HE_pay_socialmedia_graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Our branch, along with other Higher Education branches around the country, is being consulted on the current pay offer for 2018/19. Today you will have received an email with </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">full details of the offer and your e-ballot paper. If you have not received an email please check and update your information on <a href="https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My UNISON</a>. The consultation runs </span></span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">from 9 July to 27 July 2018.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">UNISON has been calling for an increase of 7.5%, and a
real living wage for all higher education staff.<br />
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Following an offer that came in mid April and was for an increase of 1.7% or
£325 a year, higher education employers have now made a new pay offer of a 2%
or £425 pay rise, whichever is greater, on all pay points for the 2018/19 pay
round. </span><br />
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The final offer follows the latest meeting between the higher education unions
– UNISON, Unite, the GMB and academic unions UCU and EIS – and the University
and Colleges Employer’s Association.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">UNISON National Secretary Jon Richards said the offer “does not meet our claim
in full, but we welcome the improvements on the employers’ initial
offer”. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
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The Higher Education Service Group Executive Committee (HESGE) met on Thursday
24 May to discuss the offer and, following a detailed discussion, agreed to
consult members with a recommendation that they vote yes to reject the pay
offer. This is in line with a decision taken at UNISON’s 2018 Higher Education
Conference to recommend the rejection of any offer that did not meet the claim
agreed by all unions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The HESGE were clear that the offer falls well short of
our aims. Recent years have seen a series of below inflation pay rises that are
making it increasingly difficult for HE support staff to make ends meet, and
the HESGE calls on the employers to improve their offer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If a significant majority of UNISON members vote yes to reject, then the HESGE committee will request a full industrial action ballot and seek to co-ordinate with other unions, which could lead to escalating industrial action to make the employers improve their offer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you aren't already a member, <a href="https://join.unison.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">join UNISON</a> today to have your say on HE pay.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-24321340117603661162018-07-06T13:48:00.000+01:002018-07-06T13:48:00.512+01:00Facilities Management Review special meeting 10 July<br />
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Do you want to learn more about the Facilities Management
Review? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you have any unanswered questions about the statements
senior management have made about bringing back in-house outsourced workers? <o:p></o:p></div>
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If yes, come along to a special meeting being held in <b>Chancellors
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This meeting will replace a short presentation about the FM
Review scheduled at the ASM.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-51325960702283925542018-07-03T17:09:00.002+01:002018-07-03T17:09:25.015+01:00Open letter to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Operations): bringing outsourced workers back in-house<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Pro-Vice Chancellor (Operations),</div>
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As the recognised unions at the University of London, although heartened by management’s reiterated position to remove all use of zero hour contracts, we would like to express our disappointment with the most recent statement issued by the University of London regarding the ongoing project to bring our valued colleagues back ‘in-house’.</div>
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We reaffirm our belief that all who call the University of London their regular place of work, should be directly employed and, therefore, entitled to the same protection and benefits available to them as UoL employees.</div>
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We believe this latest statement did little to address the concerns raised following both the email sent on 25 May 2018 and SharePoint update on 06 June 2018 and again fails to address the very real concerns of members of staff over who, when and how our colleagues will be brought back in house. We remind you that in a previous statement from management, we were told that “<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in practical terms, these initiatives will be progressed over the next 12-18 months with some services being brought in house in 2018/19</em>”.</div>
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We request that Senior Management address the following issues;</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Use of language</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />We note that the statement issued did not include one instance of words or terms such as ‘worker’, ‘people’, ‘in-house’ or ‘bringing people in house’. This is unsettling given that some of these terms have been used within the previous communication and given that this issue is primarily about how people are employed. When communicating regarding this issue, these phrases should be used to avoid confusion and to provide clarity over who and what is being discussed.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Timetable</span>We also note that we have yet to receive a timetable of who will be brought in house and when. The only recent reference made to a timeframe related to a possible customer service model and student residential life programme being presented to the Board of Trustees in the autumn. We request that a more detailed timetable be provided, to demonstrate the current stage of planning. Whilst we appreciate that such plans may be in a draft form, it is important that colleagues have sight of provisional plans as these also provide reassurance that the University remains committed to this issue. This should include reference to our cleaning colleagues as they were not directly addressed within the most recent statement.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Implementation group</span>It has been suggested by senior management that an ‘in-housing implementation group’ is established. We request that the unions have full consultation on the Terms of Reference for and membership of this group.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Security review</span>That the unions also have full consultation on the upcoming security review including agreeing the Terms of Reference, which security and technology experts are selected, and input into the methodology used for the review. Union involvement in this process is paramount, particularly now it has been communicated to staff. This is a health and safety issue and there will be many questions. Additionally, particularly in light of recent media coverage, reference should be made to the recent expenditure of University funds on enhanced security and what this has achieved over the last few weeks.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Zero hours contracts</span>Clarification over which service providers are currently reviewing their zero hours contracts. We are aware Aramark are reviewing their zero-hours contracts but the statement suggests that all contracted out service providers are doing this and perhaps the University itself ‘across our estate’.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Residential Student Life programme</span>The link between the Residential Student Life programme and the FM review is unclear. This needs to be unpacked and explained. If the University remains committed to seeking outcomes that are mutually agreeable to employer and employees, then clear, transparent and suitably detailed information must be offered as a key part in achieving this.</li>
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We look forward to receiving a response that addresses each of these issues in turn.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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UNISON & UCU Senate House branches</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-14875769253159409722018-05-25T10:12:00.002+01:002018-05-25T10:12:55.528+01:00Facilities Management Review - Joint statement from UNISON and UCU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nii809ODt6A/WwfTfk007BI/AAAAAAAAAJU/nzwXNz07a5sJSZb-iXMbuKq2AXzDb2ZEACLcBGAs/s1600/UCU%2B%2526%2BUNISON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="91" data-original-width="600" height="48" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nii809ODt6A/WwfTfk007BI/AAAAAAAAAJU/nzwXNz07a5sJSZb-iXMbuKq2AXzDb2ZEACLcBGAs/s320/UCU%2B%2526%2BUNISON.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you will be aware the recognised trade unions at the University of London, UNISON and UCU, have taken part in the ongoing Facilities Management Review, and have consistently worked hard to persuade the University to end outsourcing and bring all outsourced workers back in-house.</div>
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<br />Both UCU and UNISON are very encouraged to hear the Board of Trustees have agreed with the joint recommendation, reached through discussions between management and Union representatives, to bring outsourced workers in-house. This will happen in a phased basis, starting in 18/19, this phased approach was agreed in order to minimise the impact on the financial health of the University and create sustainable services for many years to come. We will continue to work together to expedite the process as much as practically possible and to ensure a positive outcome for both outsourced workers and University staff.</div>
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<span style="color: black;">Once brought in-house, our outsourced workforce will benefit significantly through direct employment by the University with greater stability, job security, career development and progression, better terms and conditions, workforce policies, and fairer working practices. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We will of course keep members updated with our progress.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-55402597269792419552018-05-03T12:13:00.001+01:002018-05-03T12:13:40.556+01:00TUC national demonstration: Step up for public services<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "neue helvetica w01" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The TUC has called a national demonstration on <b>Saturday 12 May</b> in London. This is going to be a key moment in the fight for public services.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "neue helvetica w01" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We’ll show decision-makers we’re scared for the public services we love – and the public are on our side. We won’t take the cuts and pay freezes lying down.</span><br />
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This march is set to be a big one. UNISON, the TUC and other trade unions are putting considerable support behind it. You’ll join thousands of like-minded people under the banner, Step up for Public Services. Though our branch won't have a presence lots of its members will be there so march alongside your colleagues.</div>
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It’s a march with a serious message but it’ll have a fun, family-friendly feel. Dig out your UNISON colours and let’s turn the streets purple. Plus there will be activities to keep your energy bubbling throughout the day.</div>
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The demonstration will form part of the TUC Great Jobs Agenda campaign, which sets out the key demands of the movement for how we win a new deal for working people.</div>
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<span class="s1" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: "neue helvetica w01", "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Find out more, including a video with useful tips for attendees, on <a href="https://www.unison.org.uk/events/tuc-national-demonstration-new-deal-working-people/" target="_blank">UNISON's website</a>. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-2641953288578656342018-03-14T09:31:00.001+00:002018-03-14T09:31:38.666+00:00UCU Strike - UpdateOur colleagues at UCU have just announced that they have rejected the proposals made by Universities UK’s (UUK) to amend the changes to the USS Pension Scheme and the strike remains on. <br /><br />UNISON Senate House Branch supports UCU’s fight against these changes, which will leave the scheme’s members significantly worse off in retirement. We are pleased to report that we have submitted the results of our consultative ballot to the National Officer and our national Service Group Executive will be considering the results and our next steps on Monday. The results of our ballot are overwhelmingly to reject the UUK proposals. <br /><br />As previously advised, although non-UCU members are not protected by Industrial Action legislation, the University have confirmed that they will not discipline non-UCU members who choose not to cross the picket line, although you would lose a day’s pay. We are proud to support our sister union and of our members who have chosen to do so by not crossing the picket line. <br /><br />Regardless of whether or not you are refusing to cross the picket line, or are in USS, SAUL or another scheme, the UNISON Senate House Branch are calling on all members to show solidarity and support to our UCU colleagues. This Wednesday 14 March and Thursday 15 March, we ask you to come down to the UCU picket line on Malet Street either before work or during your break (i.e non-working hours to prevent deduction of pay), anytime from 8.30am to 10.30am to support your colleagues and showing them that they are not alone! Join us on the UCU picket line on the Malet Street entrance to Senate House to show solidarity. <div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-23112132138369894962018-03-07T13:29:00.001+00:002018-03-07T13:29:36.931+00:00UCU Strike – Open Letter from UNISON Senate House Branch to University of London Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Adrian Smith<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dear Vice Chancellor and esteemed colleagues,</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We are writing this letter on behalf of the UNISON branch
committee at Senate House, University of London to support the UCU Senate House
Branch in seeking a public expression of the University’s position on the
current UUK and UCU dispute about the USS pension scheme. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We note the Vice-Chancellor's recent announcement on
SharePoint welcoming the talks between UCU and UUK. However, we feel this
statement doesn’t address the points UCU raised in their open letter to you on
1 March 2018. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We would like to support UCU in requesting that the
University circulate a further message to all staff declaring the following
points:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That September 2017’s valuation is
revisited and that independent and external opinion is sought, including
from the academic community. This is to ensure that UCU and UUK can
negotiate on the basis of an agreed foundation of evidence, including
financial assumptions. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That the planned USS member
consultation (due to commence 19 March 2018) is suspended while a
valuation on which both parties agree is established. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That the outcome to this dispute
retains defined benefit as the predominant model for USS pensions. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As UCU have entered a further nine days of strike action
commencing yesterday, Monday 5 March 2018, we request an urgent response to
this matter.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Yours sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Franco Henwood</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Branch Chair, UNISON Senate House Branch </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Ruth Buckingham </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Branch Secretary, UNISON Senate House Branch</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-91012584739442633902018-03-02T19:34:00.000+00:002018-03-02T19:34:41.586+00:00Solidarity with UCU Senate House Branch<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Dear member,</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">As you know, our colleagues at UCU Senate House are striking against Universities UK’s (UUK) proposed changes to the USS pension scheme.</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">UNISON Senate House Branch supports UCU’s fight against these changes, which will leave the scheme’s members significantly worse off in retirement.</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">A consultative ballot is currently underway among all UNISON Higher Education Members on USS; UNISON is urging USS members to vote to reject the current proposals and move to an Industrial Action Ballot and join their UCU colleagues on strike.<u></u></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Even if you are not in the USS pension scheme, you should care about the outcome of this strike. If UCU loses their fight, then this is bad news. The ending of USS as a defined-benefit scheme may have implications for the longer-term survival of other defined-benefit schemes like SAUL.</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">What can you do?</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">As we have stated, the university have confirmed that any UNISON member who refuses to work on a UCU strike day will lose a day’s pay but will not suffer any other penalty (e.g. a disciplinary). No UNISON member is obliged to cross a picket line.</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">And/or, you can also do the following;</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<ol start="1" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: #44546a; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Write to the UoL Vice-Chancellor, </span></i></b><a href="https://london.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/vice-chancellor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Adrian Smith</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"> </span></i></b><a href="mailto:Adrian.smith@london.ac.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">adrian.smith@london.ac.uk</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"> and state your opposition to both the changes and your support for UCU. Urge him to join VCs at </span></i></b><a href="https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/9350/Newcastle-vice-chancellor-backs-striking-lecturers-and-calls-for-talks-in-pension-row" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Newcastle</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">, </span></i></b><a href="http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/why-universities-need-to-pay-more-to-protect-uss-pension-rights-university-of-essex-vice-chancellor-1-5401480" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Essex</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"> and other universities who have urged UUK to consider. Ask him to engage with </span></i></b><a href="https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/9364/Further-talks-agreed-in-universities-pensions-dispute" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">UCU’s constructive proposals.</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">You can find a <a href="https://ucu.london.ac.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">template text here</a>.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></li>
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<ol start="2" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: #44546a; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Write to your MP. Many MPs have already come out in support. UCU have a handy template which you can find </span></i></b><a href="http://www.ucu.org.uk/USS-emailyourMP" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">here</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></li>
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<ol start="3" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: #44546a; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">Donate to UCU’s finding fund. Our colleagues are going out of pocket to defend their (your) rights. Chip in what you can, </span></i></b><a href="http://www.ucu.org.uk/fightingfund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">here</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></li>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">We will keep members posted as to the outcome of the consultative ballot and what steps UNISON is going to take.</span></i></b><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;"><br />As ever, any queries or questions, then please direct them to </span></i></b><a href="mailto:unison@london.ac.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont;">unison@london.ac.uk</span></i></b></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-69069967623119888902018-02-01T09:13:00.000+00:002018-02-01T09:46:09.716+00:00UNISON Senate House and Edexcel Branch and Senate House UCU FM Services Review: Submission to the Board of Trustees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ic2y68C9wTM/WnLZ5d-eZEI/AAAAAAAABgM/3e54ub1jr8ATRcvNZFZjwUehIpb5XBH_ACLcBGAs/s1600/UCU%2B%2526%2BUNISON.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="91" data-original-width="600" height="96" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ic2y68C9wTM/WnLZ5d-eZEI/AAAAAAAABgM/3e54ub1jr8ATRcvNZFZjwUehIpb5XBH_ACLcBGAs/s640/UCU%2B%2526%2BUNISON.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
As the recognised Trade Unions representing all staff at the University of London, both UNISON and UCU branch committees have consistently argued that the University should end outsourcing and bring all outsourced workers back in-house. Our members in both the outsourced companies and the University strongly support our position. We assert that the outsourced workforce would benefit significantly through direct employment by the University, through greater stability and job security, career development and progression, better terms and conditions and workforce policies as well as fairer working practises.<br />
<br />
UNISON and UCU pressed the <a href="http://unisonsenatehouse.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/joint-statement-from-unison-and-ucu.html">University on the 21st June 2017</a> to reconsider and reassess all outsourced contracts and welcomed the FM Services review. UNISON’s successful campaigns and decisions made at SOAS and LSE to bring services In-House demonstrate that the tide is turning across the Higher Education sector and that the University of London is in a unique position to lead the way. The recent collapse of Carrillion raises serious questions regarding the risks of awarding of contracts to private companies and potential consequences of doing so.<br />
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UNISON and UCU urge the Board of Trustees to take steps to bring all outsourced workers back in house in a timely manner, whilst also acknowledging that some limited specialist services may remain outsourced and are willing to work with the University to determine the scope of this.<br />
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In addition to our assertions that the outsourced workforce would benefit greatly from being directly employed by the University, we ask the Board of Trustees to take into account the following when considering the recommendations of the steering group:<br />
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<ul>
<li>An In-House provision offers greater flexibility and an ability to adapt to new circumstances without major cost revisions. The University would be able to respond to changing needs, priorities, emergencies and opportunities without lengthy delays or having to pay a premium.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Through an in-house provision, the University will have greater control over the quality and efficiency of services delivered. It would also ensure greater co-ordination and integration with other departments within the University, such as the Halls of Residences, Marketing, Conference and Events Teams as well as Student Central. This would allow for greater innovation and potentially a more lucrative commercial offering.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Delivering services in-house will ensure fair work practices, oversight of the implementation of Living Wage payment for the lowest paid staff and fair pay awards and grading, as well as secure forms of employment.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The review has uncovered key issues regarding monitoring of contracts, service delivery and KPIs and a lack of governance structure within the University. In order to rectify this, the University will need to invest additional resource. However, even with additional inspection, monitoring and use of contractual procedures, this is no substitute for having direct control over quality and delivery.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>An assessment of risks and costs should include a consideration of the cost of contractor failure (as demonstrated by the recent Carillion insolvency) as well as the costs of procurement, for example legal fees, consultant’s fees, staff time spent on negotiation and mobilisation that would be avoided through an in-house solution.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Changing contractor every three to five years is therefore costly as well as disruptive both to the outsourced workers and the University.</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://unisonsenatehouse.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/outsourced-staff-update.html">UNISON and UCU continue to engage in the FM Review Steering Group in good faith</a>, and will continue to be involved in discussions and negotiations so long as an In-House service remains on the table in order to ensure a fair, consistent and detailed analysis is undertaken before any decision is made.<br />
<br />
Franco Henwood, UNISON Chair<br />
Tim Hall, UCU Chair<br />
<br />
UNISON and UCU Senate House Branches, 29 Jan 2018Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-39048308930071253172018-01-22T13:13:00.000+00:002018-01-23T10:10:46.479+00:00Outsourced Staff - Update<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Members
will recall that on <a href="http://unisonsenatehouse.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/joint-statement-from-unison-and-ucu.html">Weds
21 June 2017</a> we put our concerns re outsourced staff to management,
signalling our intention to begin negotiations to bring staff back
in-house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The
University agreed to review conditions of outsourced staff shortly thereafter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Since
then, UNISON and UCU have been fully involved in the review. After six months
of negotiations, we have managed to narrow down the range of options from seven
to two, to be presented to the University’s Board of Trustees:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">in-sourcing</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> of the 5
contracts included in the review, or<br />
<br />
2.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">a <b>mixed
provision</b> with some coming in house and some remaining outsourced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Maintaining
the status quo was one option but both unions were emphatic that this was not
acceptable; this option is off the table).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In both
cases some work will continue to be outsourced such as specialist maintenance
of lifts or specialist compliance inspections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">UNISON
will, however, continue to work to ensure all of our members and all outsourced
workers are brought in house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">UNISON
and UCU will continue to be involved in discussions if these options are taken
forward to ensure fair, consistent and detailed analysis are undertaken before
any decision is made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">UNISON
and UCU argued that the views of both outsourced and directly employed
staff should be considered as part of this review.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As a
result, all staff employed by the University will be able to participate in a
survey on the current Facilities contractors and the future of these services .
If you have any questions or concerns, please get in contact with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iIcoMcDm9UA/WmXjOjggdJI/AAAAAAAABdA/pNQ5zjBDO04euY9gHV6qjkkN_eXgJKATACLcBGAs/s1600/outsourcing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="474" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iIcoMcDm9UA/WmXjOjggdJI/AAAAAAAABdA/pNQ5zjBDO04euY9gHV6qjkkN_eXgJKATACLcBGAs/s320/outsourcing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-23737531835250708662018-01-16T09:56:00.000+00:002018-01-16T09:56:19.945+00:00Cordant Staff Xmas Pay<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Prior to Christmas it
was brought to the attention of UNISON and UCU that the December payroll for
Cordant workers was scheduled to take place after Christmas. Following
pro-active engagement and lobbying by the recognised Unions Cordant agreed to run
the December payroll before Christmas. As a result all Cordant staff were paid
before Christmas in line with other staff working at the UoL.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-4621869676799100142017-10-13T17:23:00.000+01:002017-10-13T17:23:03.942+01:0017th October Pay Lobby and Rally - Letter to UNISON Branch Secretary<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Branch Secretary,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apologies, I am aware that you will have been bombarded with
emails from the national office, the national service group and the region on
the TUC Pay Lobby and Rally on <b>17<sup>th</sup> October</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, it is a huge opportunity to put pressure on the
Government to change their position and take seriously the issue of public
sector pay. Although this year’s pay round for Higher Education has been
concluded, next year’s pay claim will be submitted early in the new year- this
is also an opportunity to show UCEA that University Support Staff deserve a pay
rise! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you live in a constituency with a Tory MP, please
consider lobbying your MP or reaching out to your reps and members and
asking them to get involved. Support is available from us if you, your reps or
members aren’t sure how to do this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if you or your reps live in a constituency with a
Labour MP (or another party), please consider joining the lobby anyway! It’s
useful to have allies and to give MPs first hand accounts of the effect of
below inflation pay rises. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you can’t attend the lobby but still want to be part of
the Pay campaign, there will be a Rally in the evening <b>6.30 to 8.30pm in
Parliament Square</b>. If you, your reps or members would like to attend, want
more information or to meet up with some friendly faces, please get in contact
with me or another organiser. Even if you can’t stay for long- show your face
and wave a UNISON flag! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or if you are feeling creative, follow in City University
Branch’s footsteps and make your own placards!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xus-2_LRiNU/WeDn1ghSKyI/AAAAAAAAATw/9_ehXb1axqUkGkSKIxf9QwJylRUZCH5uQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xus-2_LRiNU/WeDn1ghSKyI/AAAAAAAAATw/9_ehXb1axqUkGkSKIxf9QwJylRUZCH5uQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it’s all in hand and your branch has plans in place,
please let me, Vicky or Colin know if you haven’t done so already so we can feed
this back and get an idea of numbers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully see you next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jo Galloway<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UNISON Regional Organiser<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Secretary to Regional Higher Education Committee<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-40846743666841596142017-10-13T14:47:00.000+01:002017-10-13T14:47:44.589+01:00Outsourced Workers at the University of London<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">UCU and
UNISON have consistently raised concerns around outsourcing since the
Facilities Management contracts were tendered. Following the successful
campaigns by UNISON and UCU at LSE and SOAS the Senate House branches of these
unions have increased their efforts and have been involved in discussions with
University of London management regarding the feasibility of returning the
outsourced workers to University employment. This process has required a great
deal of discretion and the University has been persuaded to continue to engage
in these discussions despite some unhelpful interventions over the summer like
the serious breaches of health and safety which occurred on the 27<sup>th</sup>
September.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We have
been encouraged by these discussions and the University will be making a more
substantive announcement about a review of the Facilities Management contracts
in which all options will be considered in the next few days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you work
at the University of London and are affected by this or you know someone who
is, we would like to hear from you. Please contact </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://unisonsenatehouse.blogspot.co.uk/p/your-stewards.html">UNISON</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">or </span><a href="https://ucu.london.ac.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">UCU</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> branch representatives, or email </span><a href="mailto:unison@london.ac.uk" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">unison@london.ac.uk</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> or </span><a href="mailto:ucu@london.ac.uk" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ucu@london.ac.uk</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjnoxMXWTW4/WeDDPxqvDjI/AAAAAAAAATk/ylZohE34LFAHbgXLPxlxBIolHqev4T99wCLcBGAs/s1600/Orwellian-Senate-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjnoxMXWTW4/WeDDPxqvDjI/AAAAAAAAATk/ylZohE34LFAHbgXLPxlxBIolHqev4T99wCLcBGAs/s320/Orwellian-Senate-House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-58669301731035092122017-09-25T13:48:00.002+01:002017-09-25T13:48:37.203+01:00UNISON & UCU Joint Statement on Outsourced WorkersUNISON and UCU Senate House Branches want to repeat our stated position that the University of London should seek to end outsourcing and bring existing outsourced staff back in-house.<br />
<br />
We ask the University to look at the examples set by LSE and SOAS following discussion with UNISON at those institutions, which resulted in positive outcomes for outsourced staff at both these Universities.<br />
<br />
We call upon support from our members to make this happen. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJHxKRBqlYQ/Wcj6_drr8cI/AAAAAAAAAPA/QIxOPDWa3B8rKYuXMGGrUsHBo8vlsakIQCLcBGAs/s1600/UCU%2B%2526%2BUNISON.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="91" data-original-width="600" height="96" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJHxKRBqlYQ/Wcj6_drr8cI/AAAAAAAAAPA/QIxOPDWa3B8rKYuXMGGrUsHBo8vlsakIQCLcBGAs/s640/UCU%2B%2526%2BUNISON.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-68746746732543749082017-08-07T09:17:00.000+01:002017-08-07T09:17:01.931+01:00Meeting to discuss University of London International Academy (UoLIA) QSG Review – 12:30 pm Thursday 17th August 2017 (Venue TBC)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
you may be aware, the University of London has decided to review the Quality
Standards and Governance Department in the University of London International
Programmes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">UCU
and UNISON have been involved in discussion with Mr. Craig O’ Callaghan and Dr.
Mary Stiasny and we are aware of the proposed reviews for Marketing, Executive
Office and Global Engagement departments in UoLIA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
review has been requested by the University’s Member Institutions to find out
whether they are getting value for money. Our understanding is that this
is not a cost-reduction exercise and there is no suggestion of staff
redundancies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">UCU
and UNISON will work hard to ensure that these reviews are transparent and
fully involve the staff in these departments and ensure that they have the
opportunity to submit evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
will not accept the validity of any review which fails to respect these core
principles. Above all else, we will oppose vigorously any compulsory
redundancies (if these are proposed at any stage). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
would like to hear from you. Please come along to the meeting ( venue to
be confirmed) or if you have any concerns that you want to discuss before the
meeting, please contact UNISON <a href="mailto:ruth.buckingham@london.ac.uk">ruth.buckingham@london.ac.uk</a>
and UCU <a href="mailto:kumar.singaravelou@london.ac.uk">kumar.singaravelou@london.ac.uk</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">UNISON/UCU
Senate House.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m5bc5pT0Jmk/WYgh1V-a5aI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_BF_K1StY7Iwn3mIHsbMB5C3aN08IUt1gCLcBGAs/s1600/review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m5bc5pT0Jmk/WYgh1V-a5aI/AAAAAAAAAOg/_BF_K1StY7Iwn3mIHsbMB5C3aN08IUt1gCLcBGAs/s320/review.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #44546a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-38770669848214803062017-06-21T16:02:00.000+01:002017-06-21T16:16:05.035+01:00Joint statement from Unison and UCU Senate House branches<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--gxcozagqwM/WUqNWNkqvrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/R9rhfuyP-1o3yBAgQKOYtILfYFyWftEkACLcBGAs/s1600/Unison.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="84" data-original-width="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--gxcozagqwM/WUqNWNkqvrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/R9rhfuyP-1o3yBAgQKOYtILfYFyWftEkACLcBGAs/s1600/Unison.png" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QzthX7oV8I/WUqNlG9AReI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/ifi_6TfDr0Q8k3s_XG-ZaPwP73bz7UxjACLcBGAs/s1600/UCU.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QzthX7oV8I/WUqNlG9AReI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/ifi_6TfDr0Q8k3s_XG-ZaPwP73bz7UxjACLcBGAs/s1600/UCU.png" /></a></div>
<br />
We note with concern the ongoing dispute between Cordant and
its security staff. As always, Unison
and UCU's long held position is to strongly oppose the outsourcing of workers in
all circumstances. We are formally
approaching the University to re-visit the issue of outsourcing with the aim of
returning all staff in house.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-92222095155966679422017-06-07T15:21:00.000+01:002017-06-07T15:21:33.294+01:00Still just a bit of banter? UNISON survey on sexual harassment<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">UNISON are
launching an initiative on sexual harassment to complement a survey already
undertaken by UCU a few months ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In light of
the recent TUC report <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/SexualHarassmentreport2016.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">“still
just a bit of banter?”</span></a> </span> it would appear that we still have some way to
go on this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In order for
us to be effective in our efforts we need to know more about how this issue
affects you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
If you could find the time to complete the following <a href="https://www.allcounted.com/s?did=sfy5yyp8l58rj&lang=en_US"><span style="color: blue;">survey</span></a>
we would be very grateful. It will only take 10 minutes to complete and will be
open until <b>Thursday 22 June. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It will give
us an insight into what is happening right now for you our members and it will
inform the action that we need to take on this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Please don’t
suffer in silence. Your Union is here for you.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-45162597312004859632017-05-30T14:26:00.000+01:002017-05-30T14:26:52.727+01:00Information and Consultation (ICE) Negotiations ConcludedOn 18 May negotiating representatives met to discuss information and consultation arrangements at the University.<br />
<br />
At this meeting the two IWGB representatives indicated that they were no longer willing to negotiate, which has therefore meant that the negotiations have collapsed. This is despite us offering a means of ensuring fair and proportionate representation for staff at levels 1-6 in every department across the whole organisation. Nonetheless the IWGB claimed that they wanted to see the implementation of the standard provisions as produced exactly within the regulations, although they were unable to articulate what aspects of the deal on the table for negotiation deviated from the standard provisions.<br />
<br />
In refusing to continue to negotiate, the IWGB representatives have left us in the position of allowing the employer to exploit the standard provisions which are set out in the regulations as, in many instances, aspects of the regulations are underdeveloped and provide considerable scope for interpretation. Indeed, their insistence on spending much of the opportunities for negotiation in arguing with the University over the issue of recognition (which is not covered by the negotiations and is a matter for the University to decide) has prohibited discussions on real and meaningful improvements for staff, which could have been achieved had they focussed on the issues at hand. We are therefore disappointed to report that the whole exercise has been a missed opportunity in many regards.<br />
<br />
It now remains to seen how the University interprets the regulations, which will now be imposed given that negotiations have failed.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-19709812796684069232017-05-17T10:02:00.000+01:002017-05-17T10:02:26.894+01:00General Election 2017 - Register to Vote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">General
Election 2017 - Register to vote</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The snap general
election which has been called for the 8 June has huge implications for all
UNISON members. In order to make sure your voice if heard we are strongly
encouraging all members to register to vote. You can register to vote online <a href="https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote"><b>here</b></a>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The outcome of
the General Election is likely to have a huge impact on the future of the
services in which we all work and we would encourage all members to keep
abreast of developments on the union's website <a href="https://www.unison.org.uk/"><b>here</b></a>. You can also read the UNISON
response to the Labour Party manifesto <a href="https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2017/05/unison-on-labours-manifesto/" title="https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2017/05/unison-on-labours-manifesto/
Ctrl+Click or tap to follow the link"><b>here</b></a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Relating to this,
and following a request from the branch, the University of London has
undertaken to advertise the means to register to vote to both its students and
those resident in University Halls.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for general election 2017" border="0" 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" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Higher Education
Pay Claim</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">UNISON, in
collaboration with UCU, UNITE, GMB and EIS, has been negotiating with <a href="http://www.ucea.ac.uk/"><b>UCEA</b></a> over the 2017-18 Higher Education
pay claim. The employers have now made their final offer, which amounts to a pay
increase of 1.7% to all pay spine points, with higher increases for those on
the lowest pay. The Higher Education Service Group has <a href="https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2017/05/higher-education-pay-offer-is-best-to-be-achieved-through-negotiation/"><b>issued
a statement</b></a> to the effect that the offer is the best that can be
achieved through negotiation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The branch is
disappointed that, once again, the employers have made an offer which is below
the current level of inflation. This means that, once again, the real terms
value of our pay will be reduced for yet another year. Members will be
consulted on the offer from 19 May - 30 June 2017 so watch this space.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Health
Education England - CSR Consultation</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Those University
employees deployed to Health Education England who are currently affected by
the consultation to cut staffing costs by 30% should contact us should they
have any concerns. Much of the negotiation regarding the proposals is taking
place at a national level, with the national UNISON Health team heavily
involved but we will be submitting a local response to the consultation, so we
would welcome your views.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We would
encourage all affected members to keep abreast of development via HEE Connect.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other news</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In other news,
the branch is undertaking a joint review of the University of London Change
Management Policy with the employer. This is due to serious concerns we have in
relation to last year's Student Central restructure and we are therefore
looking to ensure much greater protection for staff and greater transparency
from the University when undertaking restructures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This year we will
also be looking to engage the University around Brexit in requesting that they
provide enhanced level of support to staff from the EEA in securing the right
to remain in the country and in employment of the University.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-64464231529036685472016-10-13T10:43:00.000+01:002016-10-13T10:57:48.773+01:00VOTE YES on Monday 17 October<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">See our flyer <b><u><span style="color: #7030a0;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwiuK2beH7CBWG5OaTJKRmQ1dlk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a></span></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All members
of UoL staff will be asked whether they wish to accept the proposals that the
University is proposing following negotiations with the employer around
information and consultation (ICE) arrangement for all employees of the
University. Your ICE reps worked hard to pull together proposals and put
forward arguments that meant we got the best deal for all UoL staff. <b>UCU</b>
and <b>UNISON</b> recommends that you support the proposal by <b><u>voting YES</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We will be
able to act as a conduit for all members of staff who wish to be a part of the
information and consultation process. Would you like to know more about the
University’s financial situation? Would you like to see changes to the flexible
working policy? There will be regular open meetings as well as and an online
forum where all staff can submit questions and receive a response. We are
looking forward to our new role as an opportunity to continue to hold the
University to account and ensure that everyone can be involved in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">UCU </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">and<b> UNISON</b> welcome the
opportunity to enhance our ability to represent all staff and are delighted
that the University has agreed to our proposals to set up an online forum and
hold regular open meetings with all staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you are a
union member it obviously makes sense to <b>vote YES</b>, but if you are not,
here’s what <b>UCU</b> and <b>UNSION</b> has already done for you on your
behalf recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Increasing in London Weighting, which will be fully implemented by 2018 at
£3,500<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Increasing in leave for L01-L06 from 25 and 27 days, with a further push to
make it equal for all staff in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Locally representing staff on the following general issues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> a. Health and Safety<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> b. Information and Consultation, which we already undertake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> c. Restructuring and redundancy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> d. Staff policies (e.g. compassionate leave policy, leave carry over policy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Negotiating nationally on pay and pension issues. This is a purely national
issue. We do not negotiate the annual uplift locally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Supporting HEE employees on UoL contracts during a major department
restructure, negotiating successfully with senior managers to avoid compulsory
redundancies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our work on
the above issues have benefitted you, whether or not you are a member of the
union. It is true that members of the union do get more enhanced support from
the unions in the form of trained representatives, such as Angela, Sam and
myself - and get a say of the decision making process within the unions
locally, regionally and nationally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However that
does not detract from the fact that we treat all members of staff equally when
discussing collective matters with the University. The new arrangements simply
formalise and facilitate our existing role.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So, we ask
you to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">support us and <u>vote YES</u> on Monday 17<sup>th.</sup></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b><sup><br /></sup></b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-10259470065019411812016-09-30T14:43:00.000+01:002016-09-30T14:43:31.367+01:00PGMDE Integration, Management Response to Unison’s Proposals<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Following close of consultation on 7 September, HEE management, after
negotiations with the Branch, provided their response to the
consultation included an amended set of proposals, yesterday, 29 September,
which we set out below. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please note</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, these proposals are subject to certain
assumptions about VR rates which cannot be guaranteed (as VR applications are a
matter for individual employees, which they are free to withdraw should they so
wish) and therefore we cannot provide an absolute guarantee that provisions
below will take place. However, given the current number of VR applications
(75) and resignations (15), we are optimistic that we can achieve the following
key outcomes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">No compulsory redundancies will be made</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">No selection process will be required for the
vast majority of staff</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">. Most staff will be slotted
into the new structure.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In addition the following provisions have been made:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The revised proposal will be subjected to an
externally conducted Equality Impact Assessment</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Current part-time and flexible working
arrangements have been guaranteed</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The timeline for implementation has been
extended until September 2017</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Secondments will be reviewed and evaluated as
whether they can be considered as a ‘permanent’ positions for the purposes
of post-matching</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Technology solutions will be subjected to
rigorous testing, and an evaluation of their capacity to provide
efficiency savings will be undertaken. This will take place prior to the
reduction in staffing which will be achieved through VR</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A stakeholder engagement exercise will be
undertaken</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Given the above, we believe that we have secured the majority of provisions
which we sought as part of our response to the consultation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The exceptions to the ‘no selection’ provisions are likely to be staff
being considered for posts at Level 8a, who will be required to demonstrate
competency tests. We have secured assurance from senior management that
affected employees will be supported through training and development should
these not be met, and will be provided with in-job training and trailing. We
therefore believe that ultimately all those affected wishing to continue at
this level will be able to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is also a possibility that a very small handful of staff currently
employed between levels 5 and 7 may have to be subjected to a selection
process. This will be purely for the purposes of determining post allocation.
Ultimately we hope that this does not need to take place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally we wanted to speak about VR. The current number of applications
is 75, which exceeds the numbers of WTE post reductions. This number is in
addition to a number of resignations and it will therefore not be possible for
the organisation to approve all of the applications that have been made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are aware that some members had queries surrounding their VR
applications following the HET bulletin which was circulated recently. To
clarify: if you have special extenuating circumstances pertinent to your VR
application which you have either not detailed on your application, or which
have arisen since you made your application, then you will be afforded an
opportunity to do this following the release of the management response to
consultation. You are welcome to do this immediately, if you so wish, by
contacting HR. If you would prefer it if we did this on your behalf then we are
happy to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We believe that the undertakings that we have secured from senior
management provides an acceptable way forward that means that no-one will be
made compulsorily redundant and that most members will not be subjected to a
selection process. Our requests for additional measures around the timeline,
technology reviews, equality impact assessment and protection of part-time and
flexible working have also been incorporated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The deadline for us to provide any additional comments to management is
next <b>Thursday (6 October)</b> and so we would welcome any thoughts that you
may have on this which we may be able to pass on.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We also understand that members may have queries about their individual
circumstances given the information we have provided in this
correspondence. We are, of course, more than happy to answer any such
questions you may have. Please email us on <a href="mailto:unison@london.ac.uk">unison@london.ac.uk</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-42089694906131907152016-09-21T14:01:00.000+01:002016-09-21T14:01:01.532+01:00Uplift of annual leave for grades 1-6<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Following the conclusion of negotiations in June 2016, the
University has announced an uplift of 2 days for grades 1-6s’ annual leave
allowance. This falls short of our original demand for 30 days parity across
all grades. Nonetheless, the offer was the best that could be achieved by
negotiation</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, and was
supported by members in our consultative ballot.</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We reserve our right to revisit the issue in the future,
and have not abandoned our longer term goal of parity
between the grades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-26218273450998737992016-09-21T13:58:00.000+01:002016-09-21T13:58:09.289+01:00UNISON’s Higher Education Pay<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">UNISON’s HE pay ballot closed on 19 September and UNISON’s Higher Education Service Group Executive (HESGE) met on 20 September to consider the outcome. The ballot result was: </span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">3,381 (54.9%) voted in favour of industrial action </span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2,782 (45.1%) voted against industrial action</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After the meeting it issued the following statement:</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The HESGE took into account the close vote in the ballot, a disappointing turnout and the knowledge that it was likely that if UNISON did take strike action it would not be with all other unions (due to notable differences in positions and timetables). Joint union action has been key to previous successful action.</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Taking this into account it was reluctantly agreed that UNISON would not take industrial action on this occasion. The HESGE felt that the ballot results and views from regions meant that the union could not deliver a sufficiently strong strike to force the employers to improve their derisory pay offer. </span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">UNISON is committed to national pay bargaining and will continue to campaign to improve members pay, terms and conditions in higher education. Further discussions will take place at UNISON’s forthcoming HE branch seminar, which will also focus on the need to build membership and engage members in future industrial action ballots.”</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We recognise that many members will be disappointed by this outcome given that the Branch voted by a clear majority in a consultative ballot to support industrial action. However, given the direction issued by the HESGE, we regret to say that we are not able to proceed to industrial action. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16691762490042788332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8806618194953907434.post-17539463463573807932016-09-13T10:39:00.000+01:002016-09-13T10:39:29.273+01:00PGMDE Consultation - UNISON's Second Response<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Consultation
on the proposed cuts and restructure within the Healthcare Education Team for
the London & South East Local Education and Training Board of Health
Education England (HEE) closed on 7 September 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Prior to
this, UNISON Senate House Branch submitted a second response to the
consultation which you can read <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwiuK2beH7CBaksxLXRHV0tVNFk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a></b>. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The branch
is now entering a process of negotiations with senior management in which we
will be seeking the best possible deal for our members and will be seeking to
avoid the need to make staff compulsorily redundant. We will also be discussing
the timeline for the proposed changes and will be seeking to extend this for
the reasons outlined in our responses.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If members
have any queries then please contact the branch via <a href="mailto:unison@london.ac.uk">unison@london.ac.uk</a> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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