Academic Freedom Survey

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Dear colleague,

UCU’s education committee is undertaking research into the current status of, and protection for, academic freedom in UK higher education, with a view to making a report to the UCU congress in 2017.

We are working with Professor Terence Karran (University of Lincoln) on this issue, including a survey of members’ personal experience regarding the protection of academic freedom.

Your views are crucial to the union’s ongoing work on improving the protection for academic freedom. So, please help us by filling in the short survey here.

Thank you.

Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary

 

 

TUC Racism at Work survey

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The TUC is launching an online to expose the everyday reality of racism faced by many Black workers.  This is the first time that a of this kind has been carried out across the trade union movement and we want to get a large response.

The trade union movement is committed to eradicating racism in the workplace. However, for many workers experiencing racism at work is part of their everyday life. This may take the form of racial harassment from a manager, colleague, customer, or client and can result in being denied access to promotion or training.

We are asking non-unionised as well as unionised workers to complete the . The information provided will be treated in confidence and the can be completed anonymously.

We are also keen to hear from anyone who has witnessed any form of racial harassment or discrimination.

If you have any questions please contact Wilf Sullivan wsullivan@tuc.org.uk  or Natasha Owusu nowusu@tuc.org.uk

Thank you for your support.

Recruitment stall this week

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The local branch is running a recruitment stall this week, next to the Student Union shop, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (22-24th) from 12-2pm. There will be local committee members on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have. No need to let us know in advance, just come along at any of the times above.Rosie-poster-small

Best wishes

HWUCU Branch Committee

Please sign the petition against the threat of compulsory redundancies at the University of Aberdeen

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Members of UCU Scotland at the University of Aberdeen are being balloted for strike action in a row over job losses.

The row centers on planned cuts that have resulted in 15 members of staff in the school of medicine, medical science and nutrition being told they are at risk of redundancy. The ballot closes on Monday 21 November.

UCU says the university is in good financial health after achieving £8.6 million of staff savings through a voluntary redundancy scheme in 2015. The union has accused the university of breaking its promise to freeze recruitment to reduce the need for redundancies.

Aberdeen UCU representative, Derek Dawson, said: ‘Nobody wants to take industrial action, but UCU members at Aberdeen feel they have no choice. The university has already made considerable savings through a voluntary redundancy scheme and we are dismayed that it is handing out redundancy notices at this time. It has broken its promise to freeze recruitment in an effort to mitigate the need for job losses.

‘We believe getting rid of experienced and dedicated staff will do nothing for Aberdeen’s reputation.’

Please support colleagues in Aberdeen by signing the petition: No compulsory redundancies at the University of Aberdeen

https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/8521/Strike-ballot-at-University-of-Aberdeen-in-row-over-job-losses

 

CPD courses for UCU members

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Two half day  CPD courses  are  being held on Wednesday, 9th of November in the Millennium Hotel in Glasgow.

This first course is from 9.30am to 12.30pm and is focused on developing effective communication and assertiveness skills to help you in your career. Register here : http://cpd.web.ucu.org.uk/course-information/assertiveness-skills/

The second course runs from 1.30pm – 4.30pm and aims to develop mentoring skills.  Full details and registration available here: http://cpd.web.ucu.org.uk/course-information/mentoring/

USS Presentation at Heriot Watt University

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There will be a visit from USS next week. This is an opportunity to learn more about your pension scheme, and attendance is highly recommended for anyone considering saving more for retirement. Details of sessions can be found below.

pp James Richards
Branch President HWUCU


On 1 April 2016 there was a change to how your future benefits are worked out. Additionally, from 1 October 2016 there will be a new opportunity to save more with the help of your employer:

  • Since 1 April 2016 all members became part of the USS Retirement Income Builder. Benefits continue to be worked out based on a formula that includes your salary up to the salary threshold – initially £55,000 a year;
  •  From 1 October 2016, the USS Investment Builder will launch. This will supplement the existing USS Retirement Income Builder.

 Presentations are being held on the 7th September at 10.00am and 2.00pm in the Post Graduate Centre, Room 2.01.

 To secure a place please register through the link below-

 http://uss.adobeconnect.com/e3ime1izto1/event/event_info.html