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Dear members,
After a long hiatus, the newsletter has returned, and will continue to be weekly following Branch Committee meetings. G’mar chatima tovah to all celebrating today.
To aid in keeping track of the various UCU events occurring, we have created a public calendar on the branch homepage, which you can import to your Outlook or iCal. Don’t forget the rally tomorrow at 12:40 pm starting in Trent Courtyard followed by members’ meeting at 3:00 pm online.
Read on for the following topics:
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- The struggle continues
- Know your rights – strike deductions
- Branch Committee meeting summary
- Academic and Technical staff Promotion Framework – Consultation
- Excessive Workload Collective Grievance
- Equalities Conferences
- Local and national campaigning
- Joining link and further information
The struggle continues
At the end of two weeks of strike action, our dispute continues with strike weeks planned for weeks 3 and 4. During our “off” week, remember we are still on ASOS. Please consider donating to our local hardship fund.
You can claim from the national fighting fund for pay missed due to strike action. Detailed information on claiming from the local fighting fund can be found in the email from Nick Clare on 17th September with subject line Industrial Action FAQs.
Know your rights – strike deductions
We are aware that some members were deducted too much money for the strike day in July. A 2017 Supreme Court ruling states that one day’s strike deductions should be 1/365 of annual salary, matching University policy. Members appear to have been deducted according to number or working days instead, meaning deductions are approximately 40% higher than they should be.
The Branch has raised this with HR who have stated they are looking into the issue. We await a detailed response. Please check your payslips and make sure your deductions are correct.
Branch Committee meeting summary
Your Branch Committee met today Wednesday 1st October and discussed;
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- Information from council meetings and Vice Chancellor’s roadshows
- Organisation of tomorrow’s meeting
- The re-nomination of Lisa Rull to UCU Women Members Standing Committee
The Branch Committee meets weekly. If you would like Committee to discuss a particular topic please email the details to: uonucubranch@gmail.com
Excessive Workload Collective Grievance
Are you:
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- On over 100% workload?
- Not on a workload model?
- Regularly working over your contracted hours?
Please get in touch with REDACTED or REDACTED as we are putting together a collective grievance, to say ‘NO’ together to excessive workloads and workloads over 100%.
The university is still failing its legal obligation to take measures to prevent stress, including guaranteeing reasonable workloads of 95% maximum and we’re going to hold them to account. We’re not putting up with it any more.
Equalities Conferences
Registration is now open to any UCU member to attend an Equalities Group Conference based on self-identification. Each conference will be hybrid, running 11am-4pm In person attendance is at UCU headquarters in London (travel can be reimbursed).
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- Friday 14th November – Women members
- Saturday 15th November – LGBT+ members
- Thursday 20th November – Disabled members
- Friday 21st November – Black members
- Friday 5th December – Migrant members
More information can be found on the UCU Equalities Conferences website. or get in touch with Lisa Rüll (branch co-Equality Officer) if you like an informal chat.
Lisa Rüll has been on the Women’s Committee and is hoping to stand for re-election.
Academic and Technical staff Promotion Framework – Consultation
The JNCC (Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee) subgroup on Performance and Talent involves HR and all three campus unions for consultation on matters such as promotions. The Framework and Criteria for promotions of Academics and Technical staff is currently being revised for implementation in 26/27. A first draft has been shared with unions for member consultation and feedback.
An email will soon follow with the documents, any comment and feedback will then be reported to the next meeting on 21 October.
Local and national campaigning
UoN UCU Workshop: Challenging excessive workloads
As workloads increase as a result of MARS and Future Nottingham Phase 1, it is crucial that we come together and learn how to push back unreasonable demands.
For this, the branch is hosting a workshop run by the UCU continuing professional development team on Wednesday 8th October 10.30-12 on Zoom. It will also be attended by members of our branch workload group and is open to all staff regardless of union membership.
For more information and to register, click here:
Call on Nottinghamshire County Council to divest from apartheid
We encourage all members to sign Nottingham Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s petition demanding that Nottinghamshire County Council divests from from companies and organisations complicit in the genocide in Palestine
Currently the LGPS holds £170 million in shares in genocide-complicit companies. In line with the branch’s BDS motion and solidarity with Palestine motion the branch has given official support to the campaign.
60 Years of the Tricontinental Conference: Context, Impact, Legacy, and Future
Parvathi Kumaraswami, an academic at the University is crowdfunding for travel grants for scholars, artists and activists from the Global South to attend the above January 2026 conference at the University of Havana. This will celebrate the original event and prioritize contributions from the Global South and stimulate important debates about the original event and its relevance to anti-colonialism, anti-imperialism, and decolonisation.
Please consider making a donation if you’re able. More information and donation link here.
Report anti-trans discrimination
Have you been questioned, stopped or challenged using a single-sex space? Fill in this form to help TransActual advocate on this issue at a national level.
Joining link and further information
Remember to pass on the online joining link to your colleagues.
Having trouble at work? Please log a case with our large, competent casework team!
Need to talk to your Departmental Rep? Find the full list of UoN UCU reps here. If you are interested in becoming a departmental rep, get in touch!
Struggling with your mental health or wellbeing? UCU members get free access to confidential support service educationsupport.org.uk who can be called 24/7 on 08000 562 561.
Yours sincerely,
L Scott Blankenship and Will Paterson-Bassett, Branch Communications Officers, on behalf of UoN UCU Branch Committee
Branch website: https://uonucu.org/