Author: Branch Committee
85 and counting: MPs in support of our pensions fight
One of the things you can do express your views about the changes to USS is write to your MP encouraging them to sign Early Day Motion (EDM) 619.
EDMs allow MPs to publicly indicate their support around a specific issue. EDM 619, ‘Defending Academic Pensions’, has been signed by 85 MPs so far, which puts it in the top 20 most popular EDMs made in this session of parliament.
One of our members wrote to their MP asking them to sign EDM 619. Not only have they done this, but they received the following response:
“Dear **,
Thank you for email on the important issue of the USS pensions dispute between academic staff and Universities UK. I am sorry to hear of the difficulties you are experiencing.
University staff, whether in teaching or research positions, fulfil vital roles in our society and we are indebted to their dedication to the profession. I am concerned about the current situation and have signed EDM 619.
We need to ensure that changes to pay and pensions do not make careers less attractive, adversely affect recruitment and retention or impact universities’ ability to offer world class education.
Strike action is always a last resort. It is essential now that UUK come back to the negotiating table and enter into meaningful negotiations with the UCU to resolve this dispute. I will continue to work with my Labour colleagues to demand the Government does what they can to help facilitate this.
Best wishes
***”, (MP for a London constituency)
To ask your MP to help defend our pensions, use this form from the UCU website.
What can you do to support the strike over USS?
Snow fails to dent resolve: talks without pre-conditions demanded
While the announcement on Friday night that UCU would meet with Universities UK (UUK) tomorrow (Tuesday 27 February) is good in principle, UUK’s accompanying press release suggests they are potentially not yet ready to make a meaningful concession.
UUK offer that a collective defined contribution pension scheme could be a viable alternative to one based on defined benefits. This may or may not be the case, but if this option isn’t even possible under UK law (which it isn’t), it’s a non-starter – we have to therefore wonder whether UUK are even acting in good faith by making this suggestion.
We want talks that tackle the real issue. Talks that acknowledge that our scheme’s supposed deficit is based on an assumption (all universities go bankrupt at once) that will never materialise. Talks where UUK find a way to make defined benefits work.
Meanwhile, a few members from UCU’s Senate House branch took part in a lunchtime demonstration with around 500 colleagues and students to express feelings about the issue. Here’s a photo:
Disruption and solidarity on day 1 of the strike
The mood was buoyant at the University of London as over 50 people joined picket lines across various buildings including Senate House, Stewart House, the Warburg Institute and the Courtauld Institute of Art. This was despite the arrival of a beastly cold snap that has sent us stocking up on thermal underware in preparation for tomorrow!
We are grateful for the outpouring of support by colleagues from across the University who seemed pleased that action is being taken about the significant proposed changes to USS. Inside University buildings, staff were thin on the ground and this resulted in the closure of libraries at the Warburg Institute and the 
Institute of Historical Research. We also received reports that attendance at day two of the Behaviour Change for Health: Digital and Beyond conference, being held at Senate House today, had been notably dented.
While it is clear that the strike is already making its presence felt across campus, we all wear heavy hearts as strike action is a last resort. Taking strike action involves personal sacrifice and can be difficult to rationalise. We saw tears on the picket line as an hourly-paid lecturer described the heartache caused by trying to reconcile conflicting emotions around the financial consequences of striking and the impact on her students.
It is not too late to show your support by joining our picket lines. Contact us through this form to let us know you are coming.
Special thanks today go to all colleagues who helped us in important ways today – you know who you are.
Senate House branch: ready for strikes
Thanks again for all of your feedback and support over the last few weeks. It’s not too late to join our picket line, just let us know by completing this form.
We’ve had some more questions since the meeting last week so here are some further FAQs:
1. What does action short of a strike (ASOS) mean?
Action short of a strike in this dispute means we are asking you to work to contract and not undertake any voluntary activities. Action short of a strike begins at the same time as the strike action and continues until the union calls it off. It’s important to note that we’re not asking people to commit to partial performance – just to work to contract.
2. I want to go on strike but feel anxious that people will think ill of me, and guilty because my colleagues might have more work to do while I am away. What should I do?
There is no reason to feel guilty about going on strike. You are exercising a legal right and will be doing nothing wrong. While there will be fewer people in the office during the strike, if UCU is successful in this industrial action the results will benefit all members of staff, including those colleagues who choose to stay in the office.
There is no reason to feel guilty about going on strike. You are exercising a legal right and will be doing nothing wrong. While there will be fewer people in the office during the strike, if UCU is successful in this industrial action the results will benefit all members of staff, including those colleagues who choose to stay in the office.
3. If I strike for a few days, am I forced to strike for all 14 days?
No. You decide how much you can participate. As we’ve discussed with members, we’ll take each day as it comes. Let’s get the first two out of the way with as much support as possible and see what happens. Here’s hoping negotiations will resume once the pressure starts.
No. You decide how much you can participate. As we’ve discussed with members, we’ll take each day as it comes. Let’s get the first two out of the way with as much support as possible and see what happens. Here’s hoping negotiations will resume once the pressure starts.
4. My colleague isn’t in the Union, can they strike?
Yes, management has confirmed that they absolutely respect the right of individuals to choose whether or not to cross the picket line. UCU has encouraged all members of staff to join UCU in the strike action.
Yes, management has confirmed that they absolutely respect the right of individuals to choose whether or not to cross the picket line. UCU has encouraged all members of staff to join UCU in the strike action.
5. Am I in breach of my contract if I go on strike?
Yes, all industrial action is a potential breach of contract. However, UCU has carried out a legal ballot and the action has been formally called, the law protects workers from dismissal whilst taking part in lawful industrial action or at any time within 12 weeks of the start of the action and, depending on the circumstances, dismissal may also be unfair if it takes place later. This kind of dismissal has never happened in higher education.
Yes, all industrial action is a potential breach of contract. However, UCU has carried out a legal ballot and the action has been formally called, the law protects workers from dismissal whilst taking part in lawful industrial action or at any time within 12 weeks of the start of the action and, depending on the circumstances, dismissal may also be unfair if it takes place later. This kind of dismissal has never happened in higher education.
6. Does this just affect academics?
No. This attack on USS is a smash and grab raid on all of our university pensions. This will not only affect lecturers and academics. Student Service, Library, IT, and other support roles deserve a fair pension too. Universities run on their hard work, professionalism, and expertise.
No. This attack on USS is a smash and grab raid on all of our university pensions. This will not only affect lecturers and academics. Student Service, Library, IT, and other support roles deserve a fair pension too. Universities run on their hard work, professionalism, and expertise.
7. When will the action be called off?
UCU has called the action because of the employers’ failure to reach an agreement with us to protect pensions. We would prefer a negotiated solution to having to take industrial action. However, while the employers’ current proposal to end the guaranteed USS pension would mean a loss of around £10,000 a year in retirement, they are not currently prepared to enter meaningful negotiations. UCU believes that only sustained, disruptive action will bring the employers back to the table. The action is kept under review at all times by the Higher Education Committee.
UCU has called the action because of the employers’ failure to reach an agreement with us to protect pensions. We would prefer a negotiated solution to having to take industrial action. However, while the employers’ current proposal to end the guaranteed USS pension would mean a loss of around £10,000 a year in retirement, they are not currently prepared to enter meaningful negotiations. UCU believes that only sustained, disruptive action will bring the employers back to the table. The action is kept under review at all times by the Higher Education Committee.
Pensions strike: 8 days to go
Dear Members,
As I’m sure you know, next Thursday 22 Feb marks the beginning of UCU strike action.
In our meeting on Monday (attended by approximately 110 University of London colleagues and almost 40 UCU members) a few questions were raised about organisation of the picket line. We’ve set up a picket line rota, so please do tell us when you’re available to show your solidarity and give your contact details so we can stay in touch during the strike. Please do this by Friday 16 Feb (or as soon as you can) so we can complete the rota and share with you next Monday/Tuesday: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7LQT2FJ
On the first day of the strike it is so important that as many of us are on the picket line as possible. So the first day’s instructions are very simple.
Where: Outside the gates of Senate House (Russell Square side)
When: 8am
We’ll provide placards and banners but if you’re feeling creative then bring your own! Wear warm and waterproof clothes!
Meanwhile, tomorrow (Thursday 15th) at 6pm, we will attend the UCU London Region Strike Organising workshop – if you’d like to join us, email ucu@london.ac.uk so we can arrange a meeting point.
All the best,
Tim Hall
Branch Chair
12 February: meeting for all University of London staff about USS pension changes
When: Monday 12 February, 12-1pm
Where: Room G22, Senate House
UCU (Senate House branch) invite all University of London staff to
- Hear from Christine Haswell, National Pension Official for UCU
- Find out why there is no real justification for changes to the USS pension scheme
- Learn why UCU is taking industrial action over pensions
- Understand what the union is doing, nationally and locally, in response to this issue
- Ask questions about how the changes might affect you
Can’t attend or have questions? Email ucu@london.ac.uk
Image credit: unsplash.com
UNISON Senate House and Edexcel Branch and Senate House UCU FM Services Review: Submission to the Board of Trustees
As the recognised Trade Unions representing all staff at the University of London, both UNISON and UCU branch committees have consistently argued that the University should end outsourcing and bring all outsourced workers back in-house. Our members in both the outsourced companies and the University strongly support our position. We assert that the outsourced workforce would benefit significantly through direct employment by the University, through greater stability and job security, career development and progression, better terms and conditions and workforce policies as well as fairer working practises.
UNISON and UCU pressed the University on the 21st June 2017 to reconsider and reassess all outsourced contracts and welcomed the FM Services review. UNISON’s successful campaigns and decisions made at SOAS and LSE to bring services In-House demonstrate that the tide is turning across the Higher Education sector and that the University of London is in a unique position to lead the way. The recent collapse of Carrillion raises serious questions regarding the risks of awarding of contracts to private companies and potential consequences of doing so.
UNISON and UCU urge the Board of Trustees to take steps to bring all outsourced workers back in house in a timely manner, whilst also acknowledging that some limited specialist services may remain outsourced and are willing to work with the University to determine the scope of this.
In addition to our assertions that the outsourced workforce would benefit greatly from being directly employed by the University, we ask the Board of Trustees to take into account the following when considering the recommendations of the steering group:
- An In-House provision offers greater flexibility and an ability to adapt to new circumstances without major cost revisions. The University would be able to respond to changing needs, priorities, emergencies and opportunities without lengthy delays or having to pay a premium.
- Through an in-house provision, the University will have greater control over the quality and efficiency of services delivered. It would also ensure greater co-ordination and integration with other departments within the University, such as the Halls of Residences, Marketing, Conference and Events Teams as well as Student Central. This would allow for greater innovation and potentially a more lucrative commercial offering.
- Delivering services in-house will ensure fair work practices, oversight of the implementation of Living Wage payment for the lowest paid staff and fair pay awards and grading, as well as secure forms of employment.
- The review has uncovered key issues regarding monitoring of contracts, service delivery and KPIs and a lack of governance structure within the University. In order to rectify this, the University will need to invest additional resource. However, even with additional inspection, monitoring and use of contractual procedures, this is no substitute for having direct control over quality and delivery.
- An assessment of risks and costs should include a consideration of the cost of contractor failure (as demonstrated by the recent Carillion insolvency) as well as the costs of procurement, for example legal fees, consultant’s fees, staff time spent on negotiation and mobilisation that would be avoided through an in-house solution.
- Changing contractor every three to five years is therefore costly as well as disruptive both to the outsourced workers and the University.
UNISON and UCU continue to engage in the FM Review Steering Group in good faith, and will continue to be involved in discussions and negotiations so long as an In-House service remains on the table in order to ensure a fair, consistent and detailed analysis is undertaken before any decision is made.
Franco Henwood, UNISON Chair
Tim Hall, UCU Chair
UNISON and UCU Senate House Branches, 29 Jan 2018
Join the campaign for reinstating s40 of the Equality Act 2010 now!
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IT’S TIME FOR ACTION
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Senate House UCU 