UCU campaigns against all forms of sexual harassment and violence in the workplace and wider society.

IT’S TIME FOR ACTION

1. Download our guidance on how to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace and support members who experience it here

2. Negotiate for implementation the Model domestic violence policy here

3. Register for our training course ‘Dealing with Sexual Harassment in the workplace’. Visit our training pages for further information at https://www.ucu.org.uk/training

4. Sign the Fawcett Society petition here

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.

Dear Members,

As many of you have expressed, there’s a widespread feeling of betrayal by University leaders. UCU are disappointed at how talks ended, particularly after UUK suggested that it wanted more talks to avoid strikes.

We can expect to see continued destruction of our pensions every three years for the foreseeable future as this move, if implemented, will undermine the scheme and thus enter us into cycle of worsening financial performance.

Universities must be on notice that unless there are dramatic changes in their negotiators’ position then strike action will be arriving next month.

You’ll be receiving updates from UCU shortly about this and locally we’re planning to announce a meeting for all staff who risk losing this most treasured benefit.

Dear UCU Members,

USS pension changes – information session for UCU members on 9 January at 12.30pm

Join UCU National Lay Negotiator Dr Carlo Morelli from the University of Dundee and the UCU Senate House committee for a briefing on the proposed changes to the USS pension scheme

When: Tuesday 9 January 2018 at 12.30pm
Where: Senate Room, Senate House
Who can attend: open to UCU members

Evidence indicates that University staff highly value the defined benefit pension offered through USS – it is one of the most valued elements of our employment packages.

We are all therefore very concerned about Universities UK proposals to remove the defined benefit element of the USS pension scheme, bringing an end to the notion of a guaranteed pension and reducing our entitlements by up to 40%.

But what is UCU, both at Senate House and nationally, planning to do in response to these proposals? What do the proposals mean for me? Why are Universities UK proposing this now and why are they rushing through these proposals? What can I do to support this campaign?

See you for this important briefing session on Tuesday at 12.30pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Best wishes,

Tim

 

It was brought to the attention of UCU and UNISON that the December payroll for Cordant workers was scheduled to take place after Christmas. Following pro-active engagement and lobbying by the recognised union’s Cordant have now agreed to run the December payroll before Christmas. Seasons greeting to all Cordant staff working at the University of London.

If you have questions about this please contact UNISON or UCU branch representatives at unison@london.ac.uk or ucu@london.ac.uk.

If you have not received your voting paper for the 2017 USS industrial action ballot, please complete the form on the UCU website at this address: https://www.ucu.org.uk/ussballotrequest.

The UCU Senate House Branch AGM will be taking place at 12:30pm on today in the Woburn Room, Room G22 Senate House.

Please attend so that your voice is heard!

Dear All,

We’ve received a number of questions from members about changes to USS pension scheme and negotiations surrounding these changes.

Universities UK (UUK), which represents the USS institutions in these negotiations, recognises that institutions have the ability to pay extra in order to safeguard existing benefits. However, so far they have said that this is not an option and, unless we can change their minds or persuade both UUK and USS itself to adjust their valuation methodology, detrimental change is inevitable.

Some employers have even signalled that they wish to move wholly to a scheme in which your pension income will be dependent on what returns if any there are from the investment of your contributions in the stock market – in essence, a pension with no guarantees.

UCU urges members to stand up for all staff and help us to protect your interests in the fund rather than look away while benefits are cut.

Be in no doubt that we will endeavour to solve this difficult dispute but if we need to seek your support for action it is good to know that you are with us in such large numbers. (86.6% of members who voted said they would be prepared to take industrial action to defend USS pension benefits on a turnout of 55.8% of those eligible.)

UCU and UNISON have consistently raised concerns around outsourcing since the Facilities Management contracts were tendered. Following the successful campaigns by UNISON and UCU at LSE and SOAS the Senate House branches of these unions have increased their efforts and have been involved in discussions with University of London management regarding the feasibility of returning the outsourced workers to University employment. This process has required a great deal of discretion and the University has been persuaded to continue to engage in these discussions despite some unhelpful interventions over the summer like the serious breaches of health and safety which occurred on the 27^th September.

We have been encouraged by these discussions and the University will be making a more substantive announcement about a review of the Facilities Management contracts in which all options will be considered in the next few days.

If you work at the University of London and are affected by this or you know someone who is, we would like to hear from you. Please contact UNISON or UCU branch representatives, or e-mail unison@london.ac.uk or ucu@london.ac.uk