News

UCU have added some Frequently asked questions over the USS dispute.

Under pressure from UCU, talks with Universities UK are happening on 14th and 15th December. However the employers still refuse to meet beyond 18 December so please post back your ballot paper if you haven't already done so.

FAQs on the UCU website: www.ucu.org.uk/uss-dispute-questions

Voting papers have been sent out today (29th November 2017), in the ballot for industrial action over proposals to end guaranteed pension payments in the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

If you have not received your paper ballot paper by Monday 4th December use the UCU online form to order a replacement.

The results of our election for a new Branch President were announced at the AGM on Tuesday 14th November, Lesley Kane is our new President. The branch presented Pauline Collins with a leaving card and gift and thanked her for her time as Branch President for the past 5 years.

View the Returning Officer's report

New Executive Committee is now on the Exec Committee page.

The following text is on the OU intranet about the negotiations towards a new Associate Lecturer contract, 26 October 2017.

The Management and Trades Union sides met on 3 October 2017 and have agreed to aim to conclude negotiations on a new contract for Associate Lecturers by Easter 2018. The key aim has been to provide job security without the continual interviewing and re-interviewing as modules change.

OU Branch UCU Election of Branch President

Members have been sent a ballot email for the election for a new Branch President. The election opened on 11th October and will close at 12noon on Thursday 2nd November in order for the results to be announced at the AGM on 14th November 2017.

UCU is holding a consultative ballot of its members because our USS pension trustees claim that a further 6.6% increase in contributions is required to maintain existing pension benefits at their current level.  Universities say they will not pay any more, which means the Defined Benefit scheme could close, benefits for younger members would be cut, and those nearer retirement would need to work longer than expected.

This is a critical moment. UCU's elected negotiators need your help now as they fight to defend your pension.

The OU relies absolutely on its staff, and those staff need access to first class training and professional development in order to serve the University to the best of their abilities whilst forging a fulfilling and successful career.  To make sure that this happens, particularly in the context of the Students First change programme, UCU is introducing a number of new ‘Learning Rep’ roles and looking for volunteers from within the membership to fill them.
 
The Role
The main responsibilities of the role will be:

It's the time of year to re-elect our branch's AL reps. AL members can self-nominate if they wish to stand for election. Please consider standing for election if you have an interest in trade union activity or a desire to help your fellow ALs with employment related problems.  We try to have two AL reps in each region or nation, and the AL reps meet as a committee several times a year to discuss progress on AL negotiations with the OU, and other employment matters relevant to ALs.

It is the time of year once again to start the process of electing our UCU branch officers and committee members. The deadline for nominations is 4pm on Thursday 5th October, and the election results will be announced at our Annual General Meeting on 14th November 2017.

Arising from the decisions of UCU's National Congress and the National Executive Committee, the subscription rates for 2017/18 were agreed in June 2017. A table showing the new rates taking effect on 1 September 2017 is below, this represents a 1.85% increase in subscription rates (national subs). There is no increase in our local subs and these subs are effective until 31st August 2018.