Campaign Update
Campaigns Update (Friday 17 May 2013)
Dear all,
In this week’s campaigns update:
1. UCU in your Workplace – further and higher education national claim updates
2. Knowledge Economy – 24 organisations getting the argument for investment out there
3. Build the Union – UCU wins £11.1 million for its members… pass it on
4. Your Questions Answered: Injured at Work?
5. UCU Congress: read the latest key issues for debate
6. UCU in the News
7. Events and other items
1. UCU in your Workplace - further and higher education national claim updates
In Further Education, the employers stunned union negotiators by removing their previous offer from the table completely, throwing talks into chaos. Read more and make sure you sign the petition here:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/fepayengland
In higher education, UCU’s national negotiators were disappointed by a marginally improved pay offer of 0.8% and no real movement on workloads, job security, disability or the assimilation of hourly paid staff. Talks continue on 21 May. For more on the HE talks click here:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6603&from=1676
2. Knowledge Economy – 24 organisations getting the argument for investment out there:
An amazing twenty four organisations are now signed up to UCU’s Knowledge Economy campaign, including leading bodies from across higher, further and adult education. You can read a member’s blog posting arguing the case for investing in education here:
http://www.knowledgeeconomy.org.uk/why-education-matters/
UCU’s campaign was also namechecked by the adult education body NIACE here:
http://www.niace.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/adults-learning/AL-Spring-2013-Vol24-commentary.pdf
Watch this space for how you can support the campaign – more next week!
3. Build the Union – UCU wins £11.1 million for its members… pass it on:
UCU has won more than £11.1 million in compensation for its members in the current academic year, double what we won last year. Make sure your colleagues know about the protection and support from UCU by passing on our recruitment leaflet and a unique link to join. If someone uses your link to join, you’ll also be entered into a draw for a £50 book token:
Here’s our 'why you should be a member' leaflet:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/h/s/Recruitment_leaflet.pdf
And here is your unique link, so pass it on today:
http://join.web.ucu.org.uk/ref-110770&H58519&MD123
4. Your Questions Answered: Injured at Work?
Injured at work? Here’s how the union can help:
https://ucu.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/348/kw/injured/sno/1
5. UCU Congress: read the latest key issues for debate:
UCU’s sovereign democratic body meets on 29-31 May and there the union will set out its priorities for the coming year. Make sure you know what the key issues will be. Read the NEC’s key issues bulletin here:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/g/5/congress13_keyissues_v2.pdf
6. UCU in the News:
The increase in university fees has led to an increase in the number of students who do not view their course as value for money, according to a study released on Wednesday. UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Staff and universities simply cannot do more for less and if we are to maintain a world-class university system, producing satisfied graduates ready to tackle the challenges of the future, then we have to accept that costs money. Higher education remains something this country can do well, but it needs proper investment.”
You can read more here:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/6605
And on the BBC here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22484419
7. Events and other items:
* REF Survey - HE members who are engaged in research are reminded to take part in our REF survey, for the chance to win an Acer Iconia 10.1 Tablet:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/refsurvey2013
*Team UCU at the Edinburgh Marathon - UCU has two teams competing in the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 26th May raising money for both Oxfam and Recourse, the charity that offers support services to FE and HE staff. Please give generously:
http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/teamucu_recourse
http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/teamucu_oxfam
*Environmental News 29 - The May 2013 edition of Environmental News is now available for download at the following location:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/environmentalnews
All the best
Justine Stephens
Head of Campaigns, UCU