Category Archives: News & Comment

3RD STRIKE DAY CALLED

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branch in action 22 Jan

 

 

 

 

UNISON along with UCU and EIS have announced a further 1 day national strike for the 6 February 2014 in response to the HE employers refusal to improve their inadequate 1% pay offer. Unite are currently undertaking further consultation. The growing inequality in pay in higher education between senior managers and the workforce as a whole has been under the spotlight in the run-up to further strike action.

Universities are refusing to make a decent pay offer, despite holding huge cash reserves, which are predicted to continue for the next few years by the Higher Education Funding Council, which describes university finances as being “sound overall”.

UNISON Branches up and down the country will be protesting next week to highlight the inequality within the sector, as well as the added value that employees contribute to the student experience.

UNISON’s National Secretary Jon Richards said “ Universities are keen to proclaim their success and line the pockets of Vice Chancellors and their cronies with inflation busting rises as a reward. Yet thousands of HE staff earn below the Living Wage. Workers who even the Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledges are the “working poor”.

“The money is there to pay more. Staff who have managed to hang onto their jobs through significant changes have seen their workload increase dramatically, yet their incomes have been squeezed to breaking point”.

More than 4,000 staff currently earn less than the living wage despite another year of projected surplus. Pay is being squeezed following five years of pay rises below the cost of living and salaries for staff have fallen in real terms by more than13% over the last five years. Staff have lost between £666 and £3,574 that they would have had if salaries had kept pace with the cost of living. UNISON’s low-paid members are already at the sharp end of the coalition government’s welfare reforms such as the bedroom tax.

What you can do:-

  • Support the strike
  • Join/support our picket lines at Sheffield Hallam University (email Dan Bye your availability)
  • Join the rally called by Higher Educations UNISON, Unite and UCU  at 12pm on 6th February 2014 outside City Hall, Sheffield
  • Sign the online petition calling for Fair Pay in HE: http://www.fairpayinhe.org.uk/

Further information on the pay campaign can be found at:-

https://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/education-services/key-issues/he-pay-dispute/home/

DOUBLE AGM

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Last year we surveyed our members on how to improve our AGM.  Having listened to what our members said this year there will be two AGM’s.

AGM at Collegiate

Tuesday 4th March 12:00-13:00 in room D005 Main Building.

AGM at City

Wednesday 5th March 12:15-13:15 in room 527 Peak Lecture Theatre, Owen Building followed by a networking lunch at 13:15 – 14:00 in room 942, Owen Building.

 

WORRIED ABOUT PAYING YOUR WINTER FUEL BILL?

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With rising fuel costs and another cold winter many members are worried

about how they’re going to pay this year’s winter fuel bills.

 Help is on hand

“There for You” has set up a limited fund to help UNISON members on

low income by way of a one-off payment of up to £40.

To apply and download the application form visit unison.org/thereforyou

or simply contact your UNISON branch office. Everyone that applies

will receive a booklet giving information about other help that may be

available and how to reduce your fuel costs in the future.

MARCH AND RALLY IN SUPPORT FOR THE NHS ON 29 SEPTEMBER

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All members are encouraged to take part in this demonstration on Sunday 29 September in Manchester.

The NHS is being deprived of adequate funding and parts are being sold off to private companies.

The Branch has arranged for coach transport to the demonstration.

Transport Details for 29th September:-

Tickets – £5  UNISON members and non-members

Depart from Paternoster Road at 9am (please be there by 8.45am as the coach will be leaving at 9am)

The rally will assemble at 11am in Liverpool Road, Manchester City Centre followed by a march.

Depart from Manchester at 4pm (arriving in Sheffield at 6pm at the latest)

If you would like to attend the demonstration please email l.m.wakefield@shu.ac.uk  to book your place. Friends and family welcome.

For more information on the campaign from UNISON please visit http://www.unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/unison-campaigns/999-answer-the-call-for-your-nhs/home/

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK AT YOUR UNIVERSITY? HAVE YOUR SAY

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“Times Higher Education are running a “Best University Workplace” survey asking staff what’s it like to work at their institution.  The link is here: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.aspx?storyCode=2005875. A “.ac.uk” email address is required to complete the survey.

UNISON’s Education service group, recognising the challenges facing workers in the sector including job losses, outsourcing, increased workloads, low pay, and pay awards well below the cost of living, has asked members to participate in the survey to make sure it accurately reflects those issues. “