Get the vote out

UCU Northumbria hope you had a good summer. As you may know, over the summer our employers, UCEA (the University Council for Education Administration) made us an offer on pay which applies nationally: 2%. Our own university has imposed this, but it has not been agreed locally, or nationally. For more information, see here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/he2018

In a consultative ballot in June, UCU members in HE voted to reject the employers' final below-inflation offer, and resoundingly indicated their support for industrial action in the latest campaign for pay and equality in higher education. 82% of members responding to the consultation voted to reject the offer and 65% said they were prepared to take industrial action in defence of their pay.

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Workplace well being and health

You might want to read this very interesting article from the TUC.

Industrial action strategy

UCU has been thinking about how best to respond to the challenges facing our industry, regarding issues like pay, pensions, inequality and stress. This has involved discussions across the country, involving branches like ours, about strategies for effective industrial action. No-one likes taking industrial action, and everyone knows the impact it has on staff and students, but sometimes, regrettably, it is a union's only remaining option to safeguard jobs and conditions, so if we do it we need to do it well. You can find here the report of the commission for effective industrial action (CEIA) which was set up following last year's Congress. Northumbria UCU is making a further contribution to this debate with our motion to the upcoming national Congress about reinstating the possibility of 2-hour strikes.

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Helpline

Following the statement from the National Executive Committee condemning sexual violence and harassment (https://www.ucu.org.uk/sexualviolence), UCU 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.

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