News

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.

UCU is conducting a survey of academic related professional staff in the pre-92 universities to better understand key issues affecting you as workers.

The survey is at this address: yoursay.ucu.org.uk/s3/ARPS-survey

UCU wants members and non-members to complete the survey so please share the address with anyone who is Academic-Related staff.  It will inform the work that UCU and its academic related professional staff committee does, so please take the time to complete it.

Our petition against the possible outsourcing of the OU's IT Services has now had over 7900 signatures, this is a great response and we thank everyone who has taken the time to sign it.

www.change.org/p/stop-privatisation-at-the-open-university

We are holding a a short (10-minute) rally at Walton Hall on the grass outside the Hub at 1:15pm, to start our campaign against OU privatisation. If you are based at Walton Hall or attending the Learn About Fair, please come and give us just a few minutes of your time.

Not based at Walton Hall? There are some other ways you can help:

If you require assistance with a matter concerning your ability to live (or continue to live) and work in qualifying employment in the United Kingdom please contact UCU's Membership and Professional Support Department who will refer you to specialist immigration lawyers Bindmans LLP.

email: legalservices@ucu.org.uk
website: https://ucu.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/438

Our Branch Equality Officer, Denzil de Souza attended the TUC Discrimination Law conference, along with one of our AL reps, Kevin McNerney.  Denzil’s full report is on our blog and here are some extracts from that report.
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