Facilities Management Review special meeting 10 July

Do you want to learn more about the Facilities Management Review?

Do you have any unanswered questions about the statements senior management have made about bringing back in-house outsourced workers?

If yes, come along to a special meeting being held in Chancellors Hall on Tuesday 10 July from 10.30 – 11.00am.

This meeting will replace a short presentation about the FM Review scheduled at the ASM.

Open letter to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Operations): bringing outsourced workers back in-house

Dear Pro-Vice Chancellor (Operations),

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’.

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.

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 “in practical terms, these initiatives will be progressed over the next 12-18 months with some services being brought in house in 2018/19”.

We request that Senior Management address the following issues;

1. Use of language
   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.
2. TimetableWe 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.
3. Implementation groupIt 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.
4. Security reviewThat 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.
5. Zero hours contractsClarification 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’.
6. Residential Student Life programmeThe 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.

We look forward to receiving a response that addresses each of these issues in turn.

Sincerely,

UNISON & UCU Senate House branches

Facilities Management Review - Joint statement from UNISON and UCU

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.

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.

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. 

We will of course keep members updated with our progress.

TUC national demonstration: Step up for public services

The TUC has called a national demonstration on Saturday 12 May in London. This is going to be a key moment in the fight for public services.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Find out more, including a video with useful tips for attendees, on UNISON's website. 

UCU Strike - Update

Our 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.

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.

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.

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.

UCU Strike – Open Letter from UNISON Senate House Branch to University of London Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Adrian Smith

Dear Vice Chancellor and esteemed colleagues,

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.

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.

We would like to support UCU in requesting that the University circulate a further message to all staff declaring the following points:

1. 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.
2. That the planned USS member consultation (due to commence 19 March 2018) is suspended while a valuation on which both parties agree is established.
3. That the outcome to this dispute retains defined benefit as the predominant model for USS pensions.

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.

Yours sincerely,

Franco Henwood

Branch Chair, UNISON Senate House Branch

Ruth Buckingham

Branch Secretary, UNISON Senate House Branch

Solidarity with UCU Senate House Branch

Dear member,

As you know, our colleagues at UCU Senate House are striking against Universities UK’s (UUK) proposed changes to the USS pension scheme.

UNISON Senate House Branch supports UCU’s fight against these changes, which will leave the scheme’s members significantly worse off in retirement.

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.

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.

What can you do?

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.

And/or, you can also do the following;

1. Write to the UoL Vice-Chancellor, Adrian Smith adrian.smith@london.ac.uk   and state your opposition to both the changes and your support for UCU. Urge him to join VCs at Newcastle, Essex and other universities who have urged UUK to consider. Ask him to engage with UCU’s constructive proposals.You can find a template text here.

2. Write to your MP. Many MPs have already come out in support. UCU have a handy template which you can find here:

3. Donate to UCU’s finding fund. Our colleagues are going out of pocket to defend their (your) rights. Chip in what you can, here

We will keep members posted as to the outcome of the consultative ballot and what steps UNISON is going to take.

As ever, any queries or questions, then please direct them to unison@london.ac.uk