Branch updates

News in brief from SUCU Committee.

SUCU Branch News 30 April 2015

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Reward and Recognition update - ballot result

Many of you will have seen our previous email announcing the local ballot outcome in favour of the proposals to change the Framework Agreement.  We will give more details when the other sister unions have completed balloting their members. Our success in these negotiations is of national significance.  In the current national pay negotiations the university employers' organisation UCEA is trying to link increments to performance. We are very pleased that they cannot use Sheffield as an example of an institution where this is going ahead. Read more about the pay offer...

SUCU Branch Officer and Committee nominations deadline 13 May

The next SUCU AGM will be held on Wed 10th June 1pm.  One of the items of business at the meeting will be election of Branch Officers and Committee members. If you would like to stand for election for Committee membership or for a Branch Officer position please return this nomination form by Monday 13 May.  The SUCU Branch Officer positions are President, Vice President, Branch Secretary, Equalities Officer, Health & Safety Officer, Pensions Officer, Education Officer, and two new roles of Anti-casualization Officer, and Communications Officer. If you would like to find out more please see general UCU guidance  and get in touch.  Current Committee Members would also be happy to talk to you.

Monday 4th May Chesterfield May Day Peoples Gala demonstration

Assemble outside Chesterfield Town Hall at 10.30 for march to the rally at New Square. Organised by Chesterfield Trade Union Council.

UCU policy comparison webpage - General Election 2015

A dedicated UCU webpage has been set up to compare what each party is promising for further and higher education at this election.

UCU survey: disabled members' experience

UCU is gathering the experiences of disabled members in relation to their experiences of disability harassment. The findings will be used to draw together evidence with a view to producing strategies for branches and institutions to tackle disability harassment with practical advice and support for members.  If you have visual impairment and are having problems completing the survey please contact Swati Patel (spatel@ucu.org.uk) in the first instance. If you have any general queries about the survey please contact Swati Patel (spatel@ucu.org.uk). We very much welcome your views and hope that you will take part in this survey. You can access the survey here.   The closing date for the survey is Friday 29 May 2015.

Remembering the Armenian Genocide

This Friday marks the 100 year anniversary of the start of an extensive year-long campaign by Ottoman Turks to root out ethnic Armenians from modern day Turkey. You can read the testimonial from UCU member James Derounian about the Armenian genocide and the impact on his family in our booklet containing testimonials from UCU members here.

SUCU Branch News 23 April 2015

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SUCU Annual General Meeting 10 June 1pm

Please note the date of our next AGM.  All members are very welcome and an agenda will follow shortly.  Part of the business of the AGM is to elect members of SUCU Committee.  If you are interested in standing for a Committee position please get in touch before 12 May by emailing ucu@sheffield.ac.uk. Current members would be happy to talk to you about what it would mean.

National pay negotiations

As usual, this time of year sees talks between the joint unions and HE employers on pay and related matters. At the time of writing no pay offer has yet been made by the employers' side. We will bring you further news as we get it.

UCU women members survey

UCU is gathering feedback from women members in relation to their experiences of sexual harassment. The findings will be used to draw together evidence to produce strategies for branches and institutions to tackle sexual harassment with practical advice and support for members.  If you have any queries please email spatel@ucu.org.uk in the first instance.  We very much welcome your views and hope that you will take part in this survey.  The closing date for the survey is Friday 15 May 2015.

Saturday 25th April - March for the NHS. Assemble 1100hrs Endcliffe Park, Sheffield

Organised by Peoples NHS this short march over just over a mile will proceed along Oakbrook Road through Nick Clegg's constituency to Nether Green.

SUCU Branch News 16 April 2015

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E-Ballot of members on reward and recognition review

You will be aware following previous updates at branch meetings and in branch news that SUCU, alongside sister campus unions, has been negotiating with University management as part of the Reward and Recognition review.  The negotiations are nearing completion.  We have final comments from our national negotiators, and will ballot you (our members) by email next week.  The negotiations have centered around changes to the Local Framework Agreement (the local implementation of the National Framework Agreement) which affects the terms and conditions of employment for Staff on Grades 1-9. There is also a change to the Capability Agreement, which affects all staff. We will be sending you full details of the proposed changes along with the e-ballot link.  Also you will be able to discuss the proposals if you wish with members of SUCU Committee at the Council Chamber, Octagon Centre next Wed 22 April 1 - 2 pm.   If you haven't received your e-ballot by next Monday contact ucu@sheffield.ac.uk.

International Workers Memorial Day 28 April

“Remember the Dead – Fight for the Living”. Sheffield ceremony starts outside Town Hall at 12.30 with a wreath being laid by Lord Mayor Cllr Peter Rippon, followed by a series of speeches on health and safety at work. Speakers include Bill Adams Regional TUC Secretary, Louise Haigh Labour PPC Sheffield Heeley, and speakers from a number of trade unions and health and safety campaigns. Finishes about 1330hrs. Read more..

UCU Anti-facist News April 2015

Read the latest edition from the UCU anti-fascist campaign.  Contents include: Equality Q&A with Weyman Bennett (joint secretary of UAF), HOPE not hate election campaign, General Election lobbying toolkit website, “I am an immigrant” poster launch.  

SUCU Branch News 9 April 2015

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Appointments available at SUCU advice surgery Tues 14 April

Three appointment slots are available to see Branch Personal Caseworkers at a surgery next Tuesday to give advice to individual members about employment related matters. Surgeries are usually held once a month for individual members who have asked SUCU for help, and are normally fully booked.  Its very unusual to have unfilled appointments so we are offering the spaces to the general membership on a first come first served basis. If you're interested please reply to this message, and state which slots you would be available: 3.00- 3.30, 3.30 - 4.00 or 4.00 - 4.30. Obviously, the more flexible you can be, the greater the chance of an appointment.

“Hungry for Justice” International Fast Food Workers Rights Event Saturday 18th April

The rally starts at midday at the bottom of Fargate as part of the ongoing Fast Food Workers Rights Campaign organised by International Union of Foodworkers (IUF) and backed by Bakers Union (BFAWU) and UNITE Community. Join the demand for £10 National Minimum Wage Now and No to Zero Hours Contracts. It’s followed by a public meeting at 2pm in Central United Reform Chapel on Norfolk Street (opposite Crucible).  

SUCU Branch News 26 March 2015

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Research grant application writing courses - free for UCU members

UCU offer a range of personal and professional development resources that will provide practical help throughout the course of your career. Places are still available for a research grant application writing course:  Professor Andrew Derrington, author of The Research Funding Toolkit presents a one day workshop aimed at helping academics write better research grant applications:
  • understanding how research funding decisions dictate the content and structure of a grant application
  • practical exercises on how to design fundable research projects
  • develop writing skills to present your project effectively to any research funder.
Further details and course outline Available dates: 20 Apr 2015 in Birmingham, 10:00 - 15:30, St Martin in the Bullring.  Register here. 9 Jun 2015 in Leeds, 10:00 - 15:30, St George's Centre.  Register here. More information about CPD opportunities with UCU.