Campaign update: 02 December 2016
HEADLINES THIS WEEK
Precarious employment in universities
UCU continues to keep the heat on universities with our stamp out casual contracts campaign. Following last week's excellent day of action against precarious employmentUCU general secretary Sally Hunt has spoken out in the Times Higher Education (THE) on HE institutions' inadequate response to published data showing an exploitative employment model.
OFSTED report on further education questions area reviews
OFSTED's report on further education and skills was published yesterday and echoes some of UCU's concerns about the effectiveness of the area reviews process and also the GCSE resit policy for English and maths. See our full response here.
Other news this week
1. In the news
- Sally Hunt calls on universities to do more on casual contracts
- UCU responds to Ofsted FE report
- Manchester Met consultation on Crewe campus closure condemned
- A Brexit deal for higher education?
- Lack of transparency on teacher training reforms
2. Build the union: it's your UCU
Last week saw one of our regular drives to build UCU membership in workplaces and many thanks to all of you that took part in an impressive number of events and activities. We are delighted to report 20% more new members joining than in November 2015 recruitment week. These are challenging times for education and building our membership is an important and urgent task. Please help by forwarding this link to someone who is not yet in UCU and inviting them to join.
3. Legal advice on immigration and working in the UK
If you require assistance with a matter concerning your ability to continue to live and work in UK please contact legalservices@ucu.org.uk or see our guide for EEA and non-EEA nationals here.
5. Keep profit out of higher education: HE and Research Bill 2016
The government's controversial proposals for higher education will go to the House of Lords on Tuesday and you can read our briefing outlining the union's concerns on privatisation and deregulation here. Many peers have a relationship with universities and you can help scrap the HE Bill by writing to them and linking to our briefing.
6. Manchester Metropolitan University: save Cheshire campus
MMU's board of governors has said the university's site in Crewe is not financially sustainable and staff and students now fear management plan to close the campus. Please sign our petition calling on the university to work with unions to secure a sustainable future for the site.
7. Stand up for Sen: no to union victimisation
Indro Sen, a UCU rep at the College of North West London has been suspended for actions in assisting a former colleague at an employment tribunal case. Sen is a long standing trade unionist and branch officer for many years often clashing with management in his pursuit of protecting members' interests. UCU will not accept the victimisation of its UCU activists and the branch have declared a dispute with the college. Please send messages of support to Wapal.Worrell@cnwl.ac.uk.
8. 'What's wrong with Prevent' public meeting at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
UCU MMU invite you to a public meeting on the Prevent agenda with speakers including Dr Rizwaan Sabir, one of the 'Nottingham Two', and Dawn Taylor of the NUT. Wednesday 14 December, 1pm-2pm, Geoffrey Manton Building, MMU. Contact: Julie Wilkinson j.wilkinson@mmu.ac.uk
UCU Campaign update: 02 December 2016
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