Sussex UCU

Privatisation of Estates & Facilities Management and Catering Services

Submitted by Branch Admin on Mon, 14/05/2012 - 16:04

Last week the University suddenly announced without prior counsultation proposals to privatise its estates and catering services, including services such as security and Health & Safety. If these are transferred to a private provider, more than 10% of all staff across campus will no longer be in university employment. Instead they will be employees of private contractors, with possible changes to their pay, pensions, working conditions, and threats to their job security.

Please read the attached statement from all the campus unions, and come along to the MEETING, THIS THURSDAY, 1-2pm IN ARTS A2 to discuss what can be done to prevent another slice of Sussex University being handed over to the private sector. Please ensure other staff in your area, union members or not, know about this meeting. Privatisation of campus services is an issue that affects every member of staff here, we cannot afford to ignore it.

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Restructuring of Finance and Research & Enterprise

Submitted by Branch Admin on Tue, 17/04/2012 - 14:55

We're still involved in individual negotiations for the affected group of staff in finance. As things stand, all but a handful have either accepted or are negotiating ERVS. From the start of this consultation process, we have raised concerns about where staff losses will leave competent running of the new finance Agresso system when that comes into effect next month.

On Research & Enterprise, we have been coordinating with UNISON, who have undertaken the majority of the negotiations. We were given to understand that at-risk staff would be supported, with various posts ring-fenced for them. That now turns out not to be the case, and nowhere have we seen much University enthusiasm to retrain staff where the need exists. Focus has been far more on ERVS than retaining staff through redeployment, or re-skilling staff.

Climate Jobs Caravan, Weds 23rd May.

Submitted by Branch Admin on Tue, 15/05/2012 - 13:47

UCU supports the Climate Jobs Caravan, which is coming to Brighton on Weds 23rd May.

More information about this national campaign for decently paid, skilled, unionised work to tackle both unemployment and climate change is available here: http://www.campaigncc.org/climatejobscaravan.

UCU Stress Survey - Please Respond!

Submitted by Branch Admin on Fri, 20/04/2012 - 14:30

Thousands of members have responded to this so far, but we need every full member to respond to UCU’s 2012 Occupational Stress Survey by the 4 May deadline.

Please check your inbox or spam folders for an email from Sally Hunt titled ‘Stress - an invitation from UCU’ and if you haven’t received it contact: scourt@ucu.org.uk.

USSU and UCU in support of suspended student

Submitted by Branch Admin on Thu, 12/04/2012 - 17:09

UCU supports the statement by USSU on an ex-Sussex student who has been suspended for a disproportionate two and half years from Cambridge University for his part in the legal and peaceful protest at David Willetts's visit.

http://www.sussexstudent.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=270023 &n

Changes to the Organisation of UCU

Submitted by Branch Admin on Tue, 20/03/2012 - 18:24

UCU members have voted in favour of changes to how the union is run at a national level. These include a reduction of the size of the national executive committee, with savings spent at local branch level, and greater membership involvement with electing negotiators.

The proposals will now go to UCU's annual congress, and you can read more about them here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/changeproposals

CCE Latest

Submitted by Branch Admin on Mon, 12/03/2012 - 15:58

Proposed changes to end short courses at CCE were approved by Council, however consultations between union and management are ongoing and UCU continue to do all they can in negotiations with management for all members of CCE and the local community at risk of losing their courses.

Already we have achieved moderately improved deals for members and reversed some decisions that would have had an adverse impact on affected staff. We have also made sure the discretionary transfer scheme and other mitigation was properly publicised. We will of course keep you updated on any future developments.

Justice for Zenon - Justice for Alfie Meadows

Submitted by Branch Admin on Fri, 11/11/2011 - 15:00

There was an inspiring meeting on campus last week, well-attended by both staff and students, to discuss the imprisonment and imminent release of Sussex student Zenon Mitchell-Kotsakis and we hope the management will be taking a reasonable approach to his return to the university.

A joint statement from UCU and USSU is on the USSU website: http://www.sussexstudent.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=269553.

UCU members 'getting their lives back' by doing their jobs

Submitted by Branch Admin on Fri, 04/11/2011 - 17:06

As the work to contract began to take effect, the Times Higher Education profiled a number of UCU members who detailed how working to contract has freed up family time at weekends.

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=418021&c=1

Is the new academic year stressing you out?

Submitted by Branch Admin on Thu, 27/10/2011 - 18:10

Recourse, a free advice and support service for those working in FE and HE, are running an HE Stress campaign to highlight the stresses and pressures staff are under at the start of the academic year. They are offering hints, tips and advice to help deal with stress, manage time, and improve health and overall well-being.

More information is available here: <http://recourse.org.uk/he-stress/> or you can call Recourse (formerly CUSN) for free and in confidence on 0808 802 03 04.