Dear Members,
We have just received word from UCU National of a proposed agreement reached between UCU and UUK as a result of ACAS talks. Details are available here. It is important to note that this has not been accepted by UCU yet, but it will be the subject of discussion at the UCU HEC meeting and all branches briefing tomorrow morning.
However, as Warwick UCU, we feel it is important to outline our position about this clearly. Although it needs to be further scrutinised, the content of this agreement,
which would only tenuously maintain a defined benefit pension, under very unfavourable conditions, would appear to be a massive concession to UUK that
contravenes the the position that we as a branch set out clearly in the motion passed in our all members meeting almost unanimously just earlier today (see below):
1. Warwick UCU congratulates UCU national officers, staff and the thousands
of reps and members who made our first 10 days of strikes such a success.
2. Warwick UCU believes the union’s campaign has fundamentally undermined
the employers arguments for the attack on USS.
3. Warwick UCU therefore resolves to continue the present strike programme
and supports the announcement of plans to escalate our industrial action if no settlement is reached.
4. Warwick UCU confirms that there is no deficit. With the employers’
arguments collapsing, our negotiators must demand that the status quo prevails.
5. Warwick UCU supports the UCU proposal to seek consensus for the government to underwrite the USS pension scheme.
We will be sending a delegate to the national meeting tomorrow to feed back the position of our branch on the basis of the motion that was passed at the all-members meeting earlier today. In the meantime, for the avoidance of doubt:
the strike tomorrow is still on,
and it is as important as ever that we keep up our action to show our strength of feelings around not giving up on this dispute yet. to feed back the position of our branch on the basis of the motion that was passed at the all-members meeting earlier today. In the meantime, for the avoidance of doubt:
the strike tomorrow is still on,
and it is as important as ever that we keep up our action to show our strength of feelings around not giving up on this dispute yet. is still on,
and it is as important as ever that we keep up our action to show our strength of feelings around not giving up on this dispute yet. to feed back the position of our branch on the basis of the motion that was passed at the all-members meeting earlier today. In the meantime, for the avoidance of doubt:
the strike tomorrow is still on,
and it is as important as ever that we keep up our action to show our strength of feelings around not giving up on this dispute yet.
to feed back the position of our branch on the basis of the motion that was passed at the all-members meeting earlier today. In the meantime, for the avoidance of doubt:
the strike tomorrow is still on,
and it is as important as ever that we keep up our action to show our strength of feelings around not giving up on this dispute yet.
In order to respond to members’ desires to discuss together the implications of this possible agreement, we have taken the decision to change the plans for tomorrow morning.
We will not be picketing from 7.30am at the car parks. Instead, we are calling for an **emergency all members meeting at 10am in the Arts Centre Cinema.
This will then be followed by picketing at the bus interchange from11.30am-1pm.
Please come along. After the meeting, we are going to maintain our picket line as strong as ever to show the strength of feeling that exists amongst our membership to continue defending our defined benefit pension scheme and to not give in to the proposed deal. We cannot stress enough how important it is to have a strong showing tomorrow
In the meantime, you can sign this open letter calling on UCU to reject the agreement, or email directly Sally Hunt to let her know your position.
A few other important notes:
1) Warwick has now agreed to deductions at the 1/365 rate vs. its earlier 1/260 stance, for all employees. Thanks to the Law School colleagues for all their work on this. Unfortunately, as of yet, they have not committed to that deduction rate for non-employees (i.e. STP, VAM, etc..). We are currently following up to ensure that all Warwick staff are treated equally.
2) The all members meeting earlier today had great attendance. The focus of the meeting was to update members about the successes of the strikes so far and the situation at the bargaining table. Going forward, we discussed local strike issues, the national negotiation proposal, and how best to organise the 14 days of strike action that have been called for Term 3 if a settlement is not reached.
The minutes of this meeting will be circulated shortly, but in brief:
- Locally, we decided to continue pushing the Warwick administration further to improve their position on ASOS (asking for no deductions, full
stop), pay deductions for hourly paid tutors, and the spreading out of pay deductions. UCU Branch Committee is writing a response to the Vice Chancellor to that effect.
- Nationally, we voted in favour of the attached motion calling for UCU negotiators to emphasise that there is no current deficit in the USSscheme, and to adopt the position of maintaining the status quo of our current pensions, rather than simply trying to maintain some sort of Defined Benefit pension.
scheme, and to adopt the position of maintaining the status quo of our current pensions, rather than simply trying to maintain some sort of Defined Benefit pension.
The discussion about the motion as well as the content of the motion will be fed back to a national branch officer meeting tomorrow. .
3) We have been hearing concerning reports about forms of pressure and intimidation that different departments have used against striking UCU members, especially with regard to ASOS and rescheduling.
Many spoke up about aggressive emails and demands from administrators and heads of department. In this light, we urge all members who have experienced any insecurities as a result of departmental pressure to report this directly to the UCU Committee.
This is extremely important, since the UCU can only work to protect its members from harassment if there is a regular flow of information on this issue.
4) As many of you know, UCU National has called for 14 further days of strike action in term 3 if the dispute isn’t resolved beforehand. Prior to the latest news, we are currently trying to determine the most effective way to implement this should this go ahead. As a result, it would be very helpful if you could let us know your teaching and marking schedule for term 3. Please let us know as well when you think strike action would be most effective, by emailing administrator@warwickucu.org.uk. Thank you.
We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
We believe that we will win,
