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Local UCU UoN branch strike hardship payments

As we head into the next round of strike days, this branch will be complementing the national strike pay with hardship payments, where national strike pay is not sufficient and will leave a member in difficulty.

National UCU strike pay

The national union has announced its strike pay support for those taking industrial action (full details here).

Applications for payment are made direct to the national union – see link here.

Members are urged to apply to the national union for strike pay in the first instatnce

Local UCU UoN branch top up hardship payments

The local UCU UoN branch is determined to ensure that members are not prevented from participating in our strikes because of concerns about financial hardship. That is why members voted to transfer £25,000 to the local branch fighting fund, and further funds will be allocated to the fighting fund soon. This money is tosupport branch members. It has been built up by members subscriptions to ensure members do not feel forced back to work because of financial hardship. It is how we show our solidarity as Trade Unionists.

Where national strike pay is not sufficient to prevent significant financial hardship branch members are encouraged to apply to the local branch hardship fund.

For strike action between 14th February and 2nd March 2022 (10 days strike) the local union will pay a maximum of £25 per strike day (from 14th February, ie ‘Day 1’ onwards).

If you do not need to draw on these funds, we ask you not to claim. The branch is keen to ensure funds are available to those in greatest need and this is where we are keen to focus our resources. Your understanding in this regard is appreciated.

You are eligible for a local hardship payment if you meet ALL of these criteria

  1. You are a UCU member at UoN
  2. You are paying subscriptions at the correct rate (if any subscription is payable)
  3. You fully participated in the strike, ie; you did not work on any day that the union instructed us to go on strike as a result of the democratic ballot
  4. You have claimed for strike pay from the National Fighting Fund
  5. The national strike pay does not exceed or equal the deductions made to your salary

To apply for the local hardship fund

Email the branch uonucubranch@gmail.com with ALL of this information

  1. A screenshot, scanned or photographed copy of the payslip which shows the deduction made for striking
  2. Your bank details (account name, number and sort code)
  3. The dates you were out on strike
  4. The amount needed to prevent hardship as a result of strike deductions. This should not be more than £25 per strike day, or exceed the amount of pay lost after strike pay has been accounted for.
  5. Screenshot copy or other proof of application for national strike pay

Hardship Loans

It can take up to 2 weeks for national strike pay to be processed – We recognise that for a few people waiting for two weeks will cause unmanageable difficulties and/or hardship. In this case, the limited local branch hardship fund may be able to lend you the amount you have claimed, to be repaid on receipt of the strike pay from UCU. You will need to be eligible in the same way and provide the same information as above.

National strike pay and local hardship payments are not taxed at source.

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Your FAQs about the 4 Fights & USS dispute

Questions about our industrial action ballots – submitted by members, and anwered by your branch committee.

What is the ‘four fights’ dispute about?

The ‘four fights’ are about pay, the gender and ethnic pay gap, workload as well as casualisation in Higher Education. Staff in universities have experienced years of real terms pay cuts, combined with rising workloads. Structural inequalities and discrimination mean that those least able to pay the price bear the highest cost. Since the economic crisis in 2008 the real terms pay of university staff has declined by 20%. The gender pay gap across the sector is 15% while disabled and Black and Minority Ethnic staff continue to experience serious pay discrimination. In 2019-20 33% of academic staff were employed on fixed term-contracts. These were the workers who were ‘let go’ when the pandemic struck.

What is the USS dispute about?

USS members used to enjoy a final salary pension that provided a guaranteed payment based on final salary linked to length of service. The employers have been intent on cutting  our pensions. Only union action as protected what we have.  The employers’ preferred option is a pension with no defined benefit, but for now they are cutting existing provision incrementally. The latest proposed cut is substantial – see the UCU modeller to see what the employers’ plans will cost you. The USS dispute is simple – it is about protecting the pension provision we have now, but which employers want to slash. Our pensions have been cut enough – and we know that when they’re gone, they’re gone. Cuts will not be restored. This is a moment for USS members to draw and line in the sand and say ‘enough, and no more’. The employers’ cuts are unnecessary and unjust.

Continue reading “Your FAQs about the 4 Fights & USS dispute”