SUCU Branch News 30 April 2015

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.