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Dear members,
For those on leave over half term, we hope that you have a restful week. We also recognise that for many, half term means additional child care duties and thus can be a more stressful period.
The Branch Committee, Casework Team, and Departmental Reps continue to work hard to support members being asked to attend “protected” and “without prejudice” conversations. If you are asked to attend these, please log a case. You may also wish to speak to your Departmental Rep.
Read on for reports on the following topics:
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- University yet to produce stress risk assessments
- The struggle continues against casualisation
- Branch Committee meeting summary
- Departmental Reps meeting summary
- Local and national campaigning events
- Joining link and further information
University yet to produce stress risk assessments
The workload group is still awaiting documentation from the University to evidence UoN is meeting its legal obligations concerning stress-preventative measures. This is despite several reminders and deadline extensions; consequently further consultation is underway, including the next steps of the workload health and safety inspections. Continued non-compliance may force us to report the University to the Health and Safety Executive. At our meeting on Friday 14th February with the heads of Health & Safety and Human Resources, we were assured that the institution-wide workload risk assessment would be provided to us early this week.
The struggle continues against casualisation
The Anti-casualisation campaign group continues to fight against the misuse of insecure and exploitative casualised contracts within the University. We are currently focused on pushing the University to comply with the following agreements won after protracted local struggles and negotiations:
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- Principles for Casual Engagements
- Scrapping of so-called ‘permanent’ contracts dependent on ‘underlying fixed-term funding’
These hard-fought agreements will decrease the number of workers on casualised contracts if they are properly implemented. However, significant shortfalls remain.
You can read our full, updated Anti-Cas objectives here. If you are on a casualised contract and any of the above affects you, get in touch via email at anticasuon@gmail.com or on X at @UoNCasuals.
Branch Committee meeting summary
Your Branch Committee met on Wednesday 12th February and heard a report about the current status of “protected” and “without prejudice” conversations from Andrew Renault (Casework Coordinator). We also discussed;
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- Strategy for the workload campaign in the immediate future,
- Negotiations with management concerning promotion policy, in particular related to Level 7 posts,
- The JNCC pay and reward subcommittee,
- Palestine Day of Action on Thursday 13th February,
- Planning for the Agnes Flues memorial lecture,
The Branch Committee meets weekly. If you would like Committee to discuss a particular topic please email the details to: uonucubranch@gmail.com
Departmental Reps meeting summary
Your Departmental Reps met on Wednesday 12th February and discussed;
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- The effect of the “protected” and “without prejudice” conversations on our members,
- The implementation of the workload campaign at a Departmental level,
- Strategies for driving up member engagement with the union,
- Methods for communicating and consulting with members about the activities and outcomes of the new Joint Negotiating and Consultation Committee (JNCC) and related sub-committees.
The Departmental Reps meeting occurs approximately monthly to provide space for Reps to feed back comments and concerns from members in their areas.
The Reps network extends across most academic Schools and professional services, however there are a number of academic and professional services departments still needing Reps. If your department has no Rep, and this role interests you please email uonucubranch@gmail.com. New Reps are well supported by the Branch Committee and the rest of the Reps network.
Local and national campaigning events
Workplace Mental Health Research – Survey invitation
The UCU equalities team has suggested branches circulate an invitation to a survey on workplace mental health conducted by Yusuf Ozdemir (PGR member at the University of Birmingham Branch). Yusuf’s research explores the attitudes of different stakeholders towards “mental health investment in workplaces” and aims to better inform decision-making regarding employees’ mental health.
Participants will receive a voucher in exchange for a 45 minute interview. If you wish to take part please email REDACTED.
Palestine Workplace Day of Action
As previously communicated UoN UCU and the Nottingham Camp for the Liberation of Palestine held a joint demonstration on Thursday 13th February. Members of UoN UCU, led by the Branch Committee were able to hand the BDS pledge and list of signatures to the Vice Chancellor’s secretary. However this followed initial denial of entry by security posted at the entrance of the Trent Building to members – i.e. prevention of University staff entering their workplace.
The demonstration was followed by a series of talks from British and Palestinian activists, a recording of which is available here.
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!
Yours sincerely,
L Scott Blankenship and Will Paterson-Bassett, Branch Communications Officers, on behalf of UoN UCU Branch Committee
Branch website: https://uonucu.org/