WORKING WITH DYSLEXIA

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This week is dyslexia awareness week which is a good time to mention that I am working with a small group of mostly union colleagues trying to gain a better understanding of dyslexia in the workplace here at SHU.  We know there are clear support strategies for students particularly focussed on certain tasks like essay writing, but I am not sure that there is much information about supporting staff.

 

The generic HR reports suggest that the number of staff declared as dyslexic are very low.  However as union reps we occasionally do come across cases where support is needed. 

 

To build a better understanding of what is going on out there we would be particularly interested in hearing of positive examples of support that have occurred.  But any experiences would be of interest.

 

If you are willing to share this information with us then please e-mail: Ian Chesters I.Chesters@shu.ac.uk or you can ring x6060.   

(We will of course take any references to individuals or teams out of any examples we use).

CARE UK APPEAL

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Please support the 50 workers at Care UK Doncaster who have been on strike for over 81 days since February 2014,  making it the longest NHS related dispute in the history of the NHS. It was late last year that Care UK announced that they wished to change the terms and conditions of those employees who transferred to them from the NHS when Care UK won the Supported Living Contract.  In some cases the changes mean a cut of 50% to take home pay.  It is clear that the employer intends to de-skill and dumb down the skill base enjoyed by the current staff and replace them with minimum wage carers, thereby reducing the quality of the service provided.   Strikers continue to travel the country making their case and raising the issue at all levels.  Leverage pressure is being put on Bridgepoint the parent company via pension funds in the UK and USA.   But the strikers need financial support and solidarity to keep up the fight.  Please send donations and messages of support to the Care UK Strikers at:

 

UNISON Doncaster, District & Bassetlaw Health Branch

UNISON Office

Jenkinson House

White Rose Way

Doncaster  DN4 5GJ

RECRUIT A COLLEAGUE AND BUILD THE UNION

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UNISON is a growing, campaigning organisation for support staff working in your university. Recruit a colleague to UNISON and you will go into a prize draw to win a weekend for up to two adults and two children at UNISON’s own Croyde Bay holiday resort in north Devon or an iPad.

Simply have a chat with people in your workplace about all the things UNISON has achieved and our plans for the next 12 months. Then ask them to join UNISON and make us even stronger in your university. Help them fill out the recruit a colleague form that can be obtained from your Branch, add your details in the recruiter section and send it to UNISON Office, Room 7518, Stoddart Building, Howard St, City Campus for your chance to go into the national prize draw.

If your colleague prefers to join online at https://join.unison.org.uk that’s not a problem. All you need to do is email their membership number, name, address and phone number to unisonadministrator@shu.ac.uk  and include your membership number, phone number and address.

TUC MARCH: BRITAIN NEEDS A PAY RISE

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TUC rally 18 Oct 2014

 

 

 

 

Britain Needs a Pay Rise march and rally on 18 October

The TUC event begins with a march through central London, culminating in a rally in Hyde Park. There will also be demonstrations in Glasgow, and in Northern Ireland.

Comments UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis: “Our members are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”

This is your chance to join hundreds of thousands of others in standing up for fair pay this autumn. Falling wages affect everyone, so members will be bringing their families and friends along too.

Train Tickets

PCS is likely to have a small number of  spare train tickets  from Sheffield and Leeds to London for the Demo on 18th October.

If members would like to buy them, they will be selling them for £20 each (return) which is equivalent to the cost of coach travel.

If anyone is interested please contact  juanita@pcs.org.uk or her colleague Denise Senior DeniseS@pcs.orguk urgently.

Coach Tickets

UCU are running coaches to London on 18 October as follows:

YORK: depart 6.15am – Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road
LEEDS: depart 7.00am – West Yorkshire Playhouse LS9 8AH
SHEFFIELD: depart 7.45am – Paternoster Row (near Showcase Cinema) S1 2BX

To book seats on the UCU coach please contact Helen Sidlow, UCU Regional Office: Hsidlow@ucu.org.uk