Our industrial action to secure a better deal on pay and working conditions and to win back our pensions continues next week and the following one. We will strike on Wed 15, Thurs 16, Fri 17, Mon 20, Tues 21 and Wed 22 March.
Here are the details of strike plans at Uni of Nottingham:
Wed 15 Mar
Pickets: 08:15-10:15am at University Park Campus West and South Entrance, Jubilee Campus Derby Road entrance
Pancake Party: 10:30am at Jubilee Campus Derby Road entrance. We had planned this for pancake Tuesday, but then strikes were paused..
Online solidarity space: 09:15-10:30am for members who are not able to be on the picket line
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84290826005?pwd=cTNkSVlSZGRaM042U01TTmJkSGtXUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9082 6005; Passcode: 644108
Thurs 16 Mar
Pickets: 08:15-11:00am at University Park Campus West and South Entrance, Jubilee Campus Derby Road entrance
Craftivism: 10:00-13:00 knit crochet soft crafts & placard making at Middle Street Resource Centre, Beeston, NG9 2AR.
Social: 18:00-late informal members gathering at the Vic in Beeston..
Fri 17 Mar
No pickets – rest and recuperate, but join the Branch Meeting 10-11am to discuss Congress business & AOB
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82524432744?pwd=REdtMHl4aUt3dFdLbWNOcU4rN2tRZz09
Meeting ID: 825 2443 2744; Passcode: 695302
Sat 18 Mar
09:00, pink beanie takeover at Wollaton Hall parkrun (Our branch president, Agnes Flues, will be running her 100th parkrun and she would love to see some friendly faces, weather permitting, maybe grab coffee with her afterwards).
Mon 20 Mar
Pickets: 08:15-11:00am at University Park Campus West and South Entrance, Jubilee Campus Derby Road entrance
Tues 21 Mar
Pickets: 08:15-11:00am at University Park Campus West and South Entrance, Jubilee Campus Derby Road entrance
Online solidarity space: 09:15-10:30am for members who cannot join the pickets
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84290826005?pwd=cTNkSVlSZGRaM042U01TTmJkSGtXUT09
Meeting ID: 842 9082 6005; Passcode: 644108
Wed 22 Mar – Anti-Cas Day
Pickets: 08:15-11:00am at University Park Campus West and South Entrance, Jubilee Campus Derby Road entrance
Rally after pickets, details TBC
If we still have energy left, there might be another social…
EVERY DAY: vote, vote yes, post your ballot!
Remember that financial support is available from the national fighting fund and our local hardship fund, see below for details.
National fighting fund
Members taking part in industrial action can make a claim from UCU’s national fighting fund.
Payment from the UCU fighting fund is made:
- in the sum of £50 for the second and subsequent days of strike action for members earning £30,000 gross or more per annum (this is subject to a cap of 11 days. This will be kept under review); and,
- in the sum of up to £75 for the second and subsequent days of strike action for members earning less than £30,000 gross per annum (this is subject to a cap of 11 days. This will be kept under review).
In order to make a claim to the Fighting Fund members need to:
- be paying subscriptions at the correct rate (if any subscription is payable);
- have participated in official strike action for which officers have agreed to make funds available; and,
- provide evidence of deduction from your salary or loss of earnings for strike action.
The current HE dispute (UCU Rising) started on 24 November. 1 February is the fourth day of action.
Local Hardship Fund
Further support is available to members who face financial hardship via the local hardship fund. We can provide up to £25 per day.
By ‘hardship’ we mean colleagues who will genuinely struggle to cover everyday costs, for example (but not limited to):
- Childcare including nursery fees;
- Care costs for elderly or disabled family members*;
- Medical expenses, for example prescription charges or paid-for therapy that is not covered by private medical insurance;
- Basic food provisions;
- Topping up prepayment (‘pay-as-you-go’) gas and electricity meters;
- Rent;
- Emergency transport costs.
* By ‘family’ we mean people with whom you have a close, interdependent relationship.
Please email your request to uonucubranch@gmail.com. You will need to show evidence of a submitted claim to the national fighting fund, together with relevant supporting documentation.
If you need money urgently please contact the branch; we may be able to provide you with a loan, which will need to be paid back once you have received money from the Fighting Fund.
Spreading deductions
The University has confirmed that members who wish to spread deductions beyond April to alleviate financial challenges should contact the HR department to request this. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
