Dear members,
Welcome to your regular UoN UCU newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions on the formatting of this newsletter and/or information you would like to see included then please contact the branch committee at uonucubranch@gmail.com. This email contains the following topics:
GTVO working group
Call for Reps
Reminder of branch meeting
Vote in UCU national elections!
Branch Committee meeting summary
Local and national campaigns
Joining link and further information
GTVO working group
We will soon be balloting for further industrial action towards the four fights campaign. There will be more updates over the coming months about what to expect and what you are voting on. Ahead of the balloting period, a Get The Vote Out (GTVO) working group will meet to ensure a strong turnout and that we run this process in a way that works best for our members. If you would like to be involved in preparations for the ballot, please email uonucubranch@gmail.com.
Call for Reps
In our branch we aim to have a representative for each department or school to represent members needs to the branch Committee and support members with local matters or accessing help from UCU. At the moment we have a number of areas without a representative. If you would like to become a Rep with support and training from UCU and our experienced group of existing reps, or learn more about what the role can involve, please get in touch with our Rep Development Officers Michaela Collard (REDACTED) and Ella Guerin ](REDACTED).
In addition, we are still looking for a Social Media Rep – this position comes with facility time, i.e. time off work to complete your duties (for more information, see the ACAS website).
Reminder of branch meeting
Don’t forget about our hybrid branch meeting tomorrow Wednesday 5th February, 1-2 pm. We will be discussing the upcoming national industrial action ballot and the ongoing local workload campaign. Democracy only works if everyone participates!
Use the Zoom link below if you intend to attend online. In-person attendance will be in Monica Partridge E07.
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Vote in UCU national elections!
If you have not already, you should soon receive your ballot for the UCU National Executive Committee (NEC) elections, which includes election of members to the Higher Education Committee (HEC). It is important that the leadership of our union is endorsed by as much of the membership as possible. Voting closes 3rd March. Replacement ballot form is now open.
Online hustings for UCU Vice President and Treasurer take place at 4:30 pm on Wednesday 5th February (tomorrow). Register here.
Branch Committee meeting summary
Your Branch Committee met on Wednesday 29th January and discussed;
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- Arrangements for the branch meeting,
- Preparations for the upcoming industrial action ballot,
- Proactive strategies and arrangements for countering potential future redundancies,
- The state, nature, and development of the relationship of campus unions with HR.
The Branch Committee meets weekly, if you would like Committee to discuss a particular topic please email the details to: uonucubranch@gmail.com
Local and national campaigns
Workload Campaign:
The University has still not completed the legally required documentation for stress prevention, showing a blatant disregard for our wellbeing at work. We are now supporting a number of members to ‘just say no’ to workloads over 100%.
National day of action for Palestine:
The declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza does not mean that Israel’s brutality and violence has stopped. University and College Workers for Palestine have declared a workplace day of action on Thursday 13th of February. At 1:00 pm UoN UCU, in collaboration with the Nottingham Camp for the Liberation of Palestine will hold a demonstration in Trent Courtyard to demand the University ends its connection with companies and Universities facilitating the ongoing genocide. This will be followed by a series of online talks from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Zoom link to follow.
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 UCU reps here. If you are interested in becoming a departmental rep, get in touch!
Yours sincerely,
Lopa Leach, Branch President, on behalf of UoN UCU Branch Committee
Branch website: https://uonucu.org/