A message from Sally Hunt

Following the statement from the National Executive Committee condemning sexual violence and harassment, I can now confirm that the helpline to provide support to those experiencing sexual harassment and any reps who may want counselling support in supporting members is now launched.

This is a dedicated service for UCU members which any UCU member can reach on 0800 138 8724. The helpline is in collaboration with Education Support Partnership (Ed Support). Any member who has concerns or is experiencing sexual harassment can call 0800 138 8724 in confidence, free of charge and 24/7 to talk about their experience, discuss options, receive counselling (if clinically appropriate) and details of further sources of support, if necessary.

This is in addition to the workplace support from your branch. The helpline is an opportunity to discuss confidentiality your experience and talk through what you want to do next which may include asking your branch to support you take action against your employer. Many branches are now creating a named contact for sexual harassment cases and we are urging branches to adopt this approach and the model policy.

UCU is fully committed to eradicating sexual violence and harassment. Please call if you need to – we want to support you in every way we can.

What to expect when calling the service

• The call handlers will read out a confidentiality and code of ethics statement, take a few details and will ask you to discuss the issue you are experiencing. Ed Support’s specialists assess each call individually to locate the best course of action for you. Please note that if you request a call-back or are expecting a follow up call from the helpline this will appear on your phone as a withheld number for confidentiality reasons.
• If you need to get back in touch or enquire about a call-back to the service, please ring 0800 138 8724 or email support@edsupport.org.uk- please include UCU Sexual Harassment Helpline in your email subject and in the body of the email so they direct you to the right place.
• If the lines are particularly busy or out of hours you may find that your call is answered by a specialist in a global service centre. This is to make sure as many calls are answered as possible so distressed callers are not being put through to an answer machine. Please rest assured that all specialists are suitably qualified and trained and your call will be handled in the best way possible.

Download a guide for guide for dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace with sexual harassment in the workplace.

Official figures indicate that the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose to a six-year high of 4.1% in December 2017. Given the continual pressure on members’ pay, which increased by 1.7% in 2017 and 1.1% in 2016, we continue to lose money in real terms each year.

To find out which of the 14 items in the ‘basket of goods’ that make up the RPI are the most affected, read January’s FACT service report.

In light of this, can you really afford cuts to your pension of up to 40%? UCU have announced 14 days of industrial action after talks with Universities UK (UUK) about the future of USS’s defined benefits (DB) pension ended without agreement.

UCU Senate House is setting up an emergency meeting of UCU members in the run up to the strike. We’ll be in touch once arrangements have been confirmed.