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Latest Branch News & Activities
Updated 29/09 14:33 - RPI pay rise; but what does it really mean and how is it all calculated?
Read all about it here...
Updated 29/09 08:50 - Abandoning of the Academic Board Election for the vacancy of Administrative, Professional and Support staff.
Please note: If you cast a vote in the ballot that has been abandoned you will need to vote again !
This election is to be re-held due to distribution errors between Wednesday 01 October 2008 and 13 October 2008. Jennifer Dods (remaining as a candidate) has approached the branch for support in the Academic Board Election.
UNISON encourages members to vote in the election for a representative of administrative, professional and support staff for the Academic Board. The committee is an important voice for University staff and candidates representing our members views are valuable. The papers were sent out to staff yesterday, please contact Stuart Morris if you have not received them.
Ballots papers need to be returned to Room 108, The Grange, Headingley Campus by returned by 5pm on Monday 13th October.
Please find the statements here...
Updated 23/09 13:00 -
Jennifer Dods has approached the branch for support in the Academic Board Election.
UNISON encourages members to vote in the election for a representative of administrative, professional and support staff for the Academic Board. The committee is an important voice for University staff and candidates representing our members views are valuable. The papers were sent out to staff yesterday, please contact Stuart Morris if you have not received them.
Ballots papers need to be returned to Room 108, The Grange, Headingley Campus by returned by 5pm on Monday 29th September.
Please find the statements here...
Updated 17/09 16:33 -
ACAS discussions
The first meeting was held on 16th September between the joint trade unions and university senior management representatives. The meeting was facilitated by Peter McGee from ACAS, and he had with him 2 ACAS regional leaders who will facilitate the workshops which will follow shortly. National Officers for the trade unions (Jon Richards for UNISON) made opening speeches on our behalf of what we hoped to achieve from the workshops and discussions, and Simon Lee made the opening speech from university management, all agreeing to adopt the spirit of partnership working. We will keep members informed of future meeting dates.
SALARY SLIPS
Over the past couple of months I have had an increasing number of complaints to act upon regarding the layout of our salary slips. Gone is the allocated space for annual salary and this has been replaced by an advertising space. I did enquire on all members behalf as to why this has happened and have received a prompt response from the Payroll manager to the effect that “The payslip template used since April 05 (system migration) has never shown the correct annual salary for a number of colleagues i.e. Term time, Part time, Claims based and salary changes mid month. Each month payroll had a number of queries concerning this issue which was obviously very confusing for a large proportion of our colleagues. In July 08 we upgraded our payroll system and changed to a standard system payslip which meant that the annual salary could no longer be displayed. I can confirm that the annual salary was not removed to gain advertising space and it is in fact our preference that the annual salary be displayed on the payslip but unfortunately due to system capabilities are unable to do so at this time. This has been raised with our payroll system providers and hopefully will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. I will keep you posted on the outcome …”
Hopefully it will not be long before we see the annual salary returned to its rightful position on our salary slips, and if we are really lucky, when the annual salary info is reinstated, payroll will print the actual salary for part-timers/term-time people – as Pro rata just isn’t very helpful. In the meantime if anyone needs to have their annual salary information to take along to their bank or mortgage lender etc., please feel free to make a request for the information directly to payroll.
Updated 17/09 14:07 - Update from the Chair...
National - Return on the 125
Hi, I have just returned from the TUC congress. As you can imagine there was a lot of Labour bashing on the Public sector pay offer and the latest energy price hikes. I would say Alistair Darling gave the dullest non event speech, from a leading cabinet minister, ever heard at congress. He continually blamed the global economy and the need to curb inflation. Err Alistair ‘what was the level of inflation when the public sector 2% pay freeze was announced?’, answer nowhere near the 5% it is now!
Harriet Harman the minister for equality and women did at least come out fighting; reinstating her loyalty and commitment to Gordon. She has also regularly listened to and took on board issues from the trade unions on equality.
John Denham the minister for universities, who I have had meetings with as part of my national role, received reasonable applause from the congress floor for the work that he has developed on union learning.
Gordon Brown did attend the private general council dinner; the report back was that he had nothing new to report to the trade unions.
UNITE, supposedly the new super union. Amicus and T&G union’s general secretaries continue to disagree quite openly on everything and anything. Watch this space! Dave Prentis (UNISON) who was President of Congress and Paul Kenny GMB hinted at the first ever joint evening reception where we would be working closely on a number of issues. Is there another merger in the air?
I managed to talk to and network with many colleagues within HE, particularly members from the colleges and university unions, who were not amused at the BBC website report (front page) on the forthcoming pay rise. It was not based upon R.P.I which the final figure will not be known until October at the earliest. It also, incorrectly, claimed that it was the academics industrial action that got us the good deal on pay. A more factual report on the pay can be read from the HE UNISON web site link here.
I did manage to have a quick chat, along with Christina Mcanea (head of UNISON education), with Sally Hunt (general secretary of UCU) and Alistair Hunter (vice president and lead lay negotiator for HE UCU) on developments regarding the new framework agreement which all the other HE unions are due to sign up to on the 29th of this month. Sally indicated UCU were further than ever from signing up to the agreement and with no future meetings planned. UCU have been invited to JNCHES the negotiating committee but their status will be as observers. I still hope over the coming months they will come on board before the main pay negotiations start in March2009.
The next couple of months will be busy for me but I will report back on the JNCHES and National HE Exec Seminar in the first week of October (election of posts to committees) and will also set this year’s programme and decide upon an action plan to develop the conference decisions - taken by your representatives. At the end of October the National Exec Seminar will take place in Cardiff with workshops and discussions on the next pay claim.
Derek Earnshaw National and Branch Chair Leeds Met UNISON Branch.
Updated 21/08 17:00 - Update from the Chair...
National - Return on the 125
Generally July and August are quiet periods for UNISON, not so this year, as such I must admit to welcoming the odd days off. Nationally I have attended numerous meetings - to discuss pay for 2009 and in attempt to bring UCU on board with the New National Pay Framework agreement, yet, with no success. The sign up date to this agreement is 29th September in which all other staff unions will sign in London. UCU – It’s not too late! The door is still open for you to come on board with all other unions “We are stronger together”.
The HE National seminar will be held in Cardiff from October where your representatives will be able to feed into the pay bargaining process for 2009. The pay claim will be debated and a motion passed on pay at the National HE conference in Bristol during February, the final claim being submitted to the employers in March .In the current climate 2009 is likely to be a tough set of negotiations on pay. Don’t forget it was UNISON that has negotiated the 2.5% or R.P.I. for this September, at present we are set to see a 5% increase in ours pay packets in November. Elsewhere our comrades in local government have been on National strike for two days over pay and subsequently, Scottish Local government, are to take industrial action on the 20th August. Please keep on sending messages of support and lobbying your local MP.
Branch Matters
Staff Development; For the second year running UNISON will be running a stall on both the Support Staff Day, 5th September, and the University Community Festival day on the 9th September, where we are sponsoring the Zulu Warriors Dance group. It would be great to see all of our current members where possible but also provides us with an opportunity to increase our Branch membership. New members are vital in ensuring the Braches future and as our membership grows – so does our voice.
Come along on the day just to have a chat and help yourself to the usual freebies, equalities information .There is also a Tombola where you can win a UNISON sponsored prize. We also have lapel badges promoting the Stop violence against women campaign! Donations are welcome to this worthy cause which this UNISON branch is supporting.
UNISON Doncaster Race Day, 2nd August; Our recent coach party of members and family to Doncaster’s UNISON sponsored race day was, as usual, a great day and great success. I have received many positive comments that it was a great day out, with everyone enjoying themselves; even the bookmakers enjoyed it - in my case anyway. I am sure if UNISON sponsors the event again next year at least Leeds Met UNISON will be attending!
Current Branch activities; we are involved in analysing the porters roles, regarding multi-skilling, and have asked for a meeting to review a security case in which we would like to progress.
We are also in discussions surrounding probation which has been piloted in Cares. UNISON along with UCU and the University senior management will be attending the launch meeting on 16th Sept with ACAS. Jon Richards HE Senior national officer, the Regional officer and Unison Exe members will be in attendance. Unfortunately, as seems to be a sign of the times, we are still being deluged with grievances and disciplinary cases. Let’s hope the ACAS review changes the outlook of the university on staff for the better over the coming academic year!
Derek Earnshaw National and Branch Chair Leeds Met UNISON Branch.
Updated 18/08 11:10 - Love Music Hate Rasium.
At our next brach executive meeting it will be proposed that we move to affiliate ourselves with love music hate racism. Not only is it a good national campaign but most of us can relate to the 'power' of music. There is a good website and venues up and down the country, get more information from the website here...
Updated 07/08 15:44 - HSE Letter!
The university has now received the letter from the HSE containing their findings from their recent visits -to investigate the university's policy and arrangements for managing work related stress. You can find the document here...
Updated 28/07 08:50 - JCC reformed!
Some of you will remember the original Joint Consultative Committee which is now being reformed; I am hopeful that its resurrection will be both new and improved. The old JCC petered out a couple of years ago mainly due to a lack of outcomes and attendance - turning into little more than a talk shop.
While the detail has yet to be agreed, probably forming the basis of the first meting, I am confident that all will see this opportunity to consult and negotiate. For the first time this group will be formed with both representatives from HR and Senior Management presenting us with what I feel is an environment enabling Joint rewards (Members including: Pro-vice Chancellors, Director of Finance and the Director of Estates). Again, for the first time, these meetings will include our sister union UCU, almost representing single table bargaining, with many of our terms and conditions mirroring each other.
The first meeting is due around the end of September; I personally am looking forward to this group’s positive impact and will of course keep you informed as to progress made over the coming months.
Derek Earnshaw Branch Chair
Updated 16/07 11:30 - LeedsMet UNISON Supports our fellow Local Government members in their strike action for fair pay in Pay Matters, 16 & 17 July...Read More Here
Updated 15/07 13:00 - WHY!
You won’t be getting your 2008 pay rise in your pay packet for October. Hi just thought I would let you know why your pay rise which is due in October will not be paid until November. This is because the Retail Price Index is almost certainly going to be above the agreed rise of 2.5% and is actually at this moment in time above 4%. The September inflation figure which the rise will be based upon is not announced until after the pay date in October. I presume whatever this figure is + back pay will be in your November salary.
September increment - many of you, particularly manual staff (who did not have access to incremental scale before the framework agreement), will recieve your increment of approximately 3% in this pay period.
First Aid payments - UNISON is negotiating a rise in the payment for all first aiders. I would expect to let you know the precise figure at the back end of October.
2009 pay negotiations -Although it is Summer and it is difficult to get people from different unions together due to vacation a meeting amongst all the Unions negotiators is taking place on 30th July. If you have any views, please contact me. I will continue to update you on that meeting and the timetable up to the pay submission.
Derek Earnshaw National Chair HE UNISON.
Updated 04/07 11:18 - Employer’s survey proves Leeds Met is only mid-table in regards to hours and holidays for support staff grades 1-6.
I was invited to the UCEA summer reception in London on June the 19th where a survey was launched to celebrate and highlight the improvements over the last few years in Higher Education; unfortunately I could not attend as I was speaking in the debates at our own UNISON National conference in Bournemouth. Much more important I am sure you would agree.
The survey is very detailed and its true there have been many welcome improvements to terms and conditions in the sector. What we have to remember is that before these improvements HE was the bottom of public sector in relation to pay and conditions, and nobody wants a return to those days.
The report also shows the trade unions evidence on which universities have gone ‘the extra mile’ on harmonisation of conditions also highlighting those who have still some way to go.
Unfortunately Leeds Metropolitan University along with many of the other post -92 universities linger mid- table having not made any effort to negotiate towards a 35 hour week (with nearly 43% on 35 hours, 29% on 37 hours and the rest in-between) and also inferior holidays, going down to the minimum if you are between grades 1-3.
Our Vice chancellor regularly praises our staff in delivering world class support for our students ,which we fully support, providing the best experience and teaching for our students.
It is now time to instruct HR to reward the support staff by opening negotiations on a 35 hour week (part of the 2006-8 pay negotiations) and holidays for support staff, so that we can take our rightful place in the next survey - in the top half of all universities.
Read the report here...
Derek Earnshaw Branch Chair Leeds Met and National Chair HE Service group.
Updated 01/07 19:09 - Return on the 125...
Hi, I am now on leave till the 7th July, but feel that I need to update you all on progress, or the lack of it, since my last newsletter.
The employers have now sent out a proposed timetable for the pay talks, pay date 1st August 2009, and the unions apart from UCU have agreed to the timetable. The agreement itself will be signed in September which will inform negotiations till 2011. I am still hopeful as the date approaches fast that UCU will move their position and join all other HE unions around the negotiating table. The main sticking point between the support staff unions and the employers is that UCU want a separate committee for all staff grades 6-9. There is no way we can accept this position as we have many members above grade 6 that we represent. We also expect a single table and so do the employers else they are then open to equal pay claims. The other issue is around the disputes procedure, UNISONS view is a positive one as it gives us direct contact with the employers. However, UCU feels that this will only add constraints to when they could take industrial action.
We are meeting other support staff unions on the 14th July to start thinking about the pay claim.
Members will meet at the branch seminar in Cardiff during October where all views will be heard, we will then formulate our pay policy in early 2009 at HE conference, and submit our pay claim to the employers in March 2009 (these are likely to be tough negotiations). It will be an interesting time over the next few weeks, where it is pretty certain our colleagues in local government will be challenging the public sector pay freeze by a initial 2 day strike on 16-17th July. Please give them your support!
I have just attended UNISON national conference in my capacity as chair of HE, the most interesting debate was on Friday afternoon which went to a card vote on the continued affiliation to the Labour party. Its time to wake up Gordon! The conference decided by just 50,000 members out of 1.3 million to continue. I was pleasantly surprised for a small service group how many activists from HE got up and spoke in debates, and also enjoyed meeting many new and old friends and networking with other branches.
I will be attending TUC in September representing HE and look forward to some lively debate.
Just to finish off with I will be sending out all the details to all those lucky enough to be going on the Race day trip to Doncaster UNISON sponsored races ,the biggest event in the Regions calendar on August 2nd.
Derek Earnshaw Branch Chair Leeds Met and National Chair HE Service group.
Updated 06/06 14:25 - Local government pay rise...
MEMBERS, Please give your support to the Public Services rally and lobby of parliament on Monday June the 9th. I will be attending the rally and lobby on behalf of UNISON HE Service Group along with all the other chairs, campaigning against the unfair wage cap on public sector workers.
Advertised yesterday in the papers were average rises being paid in the private sector, averaging 3.8%. However, members in Local government, Health, Education etc are expected to accept below inflation rises around the 2% level. Support our colleagues.
Speakers include, Brendan Barber(TUC), Dave Prentice(UNISON) ,Sally Hunt (UCU).Do what you can to explain to the public how unfair this capping of wages of staff who deliver to us all of our essential services . Derek Earnshaw UNISON Higher Education National Chair.
http://www.unison.org.uk/paymatters/
Updated 05/06 13:45 - ACAS and HSE update...
Just to update you on the ACAS and HSE interventions. It is a long time since both of these processes began, and members naturally wish to know that the whole business hasn't fallen into a black hole.
The HSE have now completed their investigation. They were due to meet senior management on 14 May to discuss their findings but this meeting was cancelled by the University so that they had more time to respond. It has been re-arranged for the 10 July and once it has taken place the findings will be made public.
ACAS have proposed a series of meetings, the terms of which have raised one or two queries for the trade unions, and the Area Director of ACAS Yorks & Humbs, will respond to us shortly. Hopefully these issues will be resolved quickly so that we can begin the meetings at long last.
Updated 30/05 09:50 - The last few weeks and the next few weeks
Hi, just thought I would give you an insight in to what I have been involved in within the branch and at national level recently.
ACAS as facilitators We have had enabling talks to set up a timetable and plan to discuss issues with the university at the highest level to include National, Regional and Branch executive officers of both UNISON and UCU with the university ,those initial discussions will include the Vice Chancellor and the Senior members of staff in the university. UNISON expects to have an open and frank discussion with no recriminations.
HR procedures in conjunction with UCU who we are working closely with on matters of mutual interest, we have been discussing the grievance procedure, I say discussing, both unions agree we would want to seek approval from ACAS before signing up to any changes. Other documents including disciplinary we also expect to update over the coming months.
Equal Pay UNISON has lodged cases at industrial tribunal and is also in consultation with the university on how we can resolve the cases before going to court; any details in line with Unison policy have to remain confidential. I do hope personally we can resolve these internally.
Gender equality duty I attended a national seminar here in Leeds attended by HR representatives, equality officers and union reps, which started with some case studies and then broke out into workshops with different strands. The following week I was invited to attended the launch of the Trans- gender Equality Post Secondary Education guidance in the House of Commons which was really interesting and started to raise lots of questions about a recent survey on sexual orientation carried out by the university equality office and we have arranged to meet in early June to take things forward and address many equality issues AT Leeds Met. http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/GarethBJenkins/TransGuide?authkey=aIvR0aOIQ2ANext week is the National HE Service group meeting in London, where the main topic will be next year’s pay claim. The executives view will be discussed and added to at the HE Seminar for activists in the Autumn and voted on in early Spring .Over the summer there are plans to co-ordinate with all other support unions to discuss a joint approach ,who have agreed to sign up to the National framework .I still hold out hope UCU will decide to join all other unions in Higher Education, we are stronger together.
Public Sector TUC lobby of parliament on the 9th June I will be attending this important event as Chair of the service group UNITED together to convince the government to recognise the contribution of the Health Service ,Council workers etc and do a U-turn on PAY. We may be in the same situation next year. Will the employers say we come under the public or private sector? Please add your support any way you can to our brothers and sisters.
National Conference 16-20th June is taking place in Bournemouth where Unison will discuss policy across the wider union for the coming year. The branch will be well represented by the branch secretary and treasurer and I am attending as the National rep for HE.
Please get in touch and share your views with the people who represent you .
Derek Earnshaw
Updated 29/05 17:50 - STAFF REPS ON DISABILITY IMPLEMENTATION GROUP MEETING (National Information Out).
An implementation group has been created to ensure the implementation of the recommendations that came out of the commission for disabled staff. There are two staff rep places for support staff and it has been proposed that we have one for FE and one for HE. It is important that UNISON has a significant presence on this group. We would be grateful if you could draw this to the attention to members who you feel would be interested in taking up this important role. . The first meeting is on Tuesday June 3rd 1-4pm in London.
Updated 23/05 09:11 -HERA assimilation appeals.
The Stage One panels for staff members appealing against their assigned grade as part of the HERA process are now completed. Of those who appealed 45 individuals moved to a higher grade than that assigned, and in 4 of those cases the new grade assigned was 2 grades higher than that originally assigned. Good news for all those appellants and well worth the effort and the wait.
All these individuals have their pay award backdated to August 2006. Many of the other appellants moved up in score within the grade assigned which should help them if they choose to process to the stage 2 process. There are still 18 posts that have been to the panel awaiting confirmation of the grade. Of these 18 there are 11 in the area of Disability support. We hope to have the confirmation of all these panel outcomes for you soon and will keep you updated.
Stage 2 of the appeal process has already begun. The feedback from members so far is that the interviews are very long winded but give you a good opportunity to really get across the value of your role to the analyst. The Stage 2 process is intended to be pretty much the same as Stage 1. The Stage 2 Appeals Panel will be joint with management, rewards and benefits team members and trade unions on all panels, with a gender balance, and will receive scored Records for confirmation in the same way that IMPs were received at Stage 1. The Reward & Benefits team will then formally write to the appellants informing them of the outcome of the Stage 2 Appeal.
If anyone has any queries please contact your local steward or a Branch Officer.
Updated 22/05 17:28 - Planning & Resources Committee Election
Janet Carr has approached the branch for support in the Planning & Resources Committee Election.
UNISON encourages members to vote in the election for a representative of administrative, professional and support staff for the Planning & Resources Committee. The committee is an important voice for University staff and candidates representing our members views are valuable. The papers were sent out to staff yesterday, please contact Stuart Morris if you have not received them.
Ballots papers need to be returned to Room 108, The Grange, Headingley Campus by 5pm on Wednesday 4th June.
Updated 19/05 17:10 - Both International and Environement pages updated...
Updated 16/05 13:00 - Pay rise 3% due to YOU! In your pay packets today(negotiated by UNISON)
Wow!, what better way to re-launch not only the web-site but also to re-launch the way our branch communicates and operates . I am not going to mention the word refre.... ourselves (oh! I just did), but it is important to listen to what YOU the members had to say at the AGM and for the exec to respond positively. We have been working hard since then, not only on the web-site, but with all members of the exec recognising their skills and interests in what they can offer to the members - I hope you will see that over the coming next few weeks.
3% or a minimum of £420 is the second part, of the second year, of a three year pay deal. Many of YOU will also receive an increment in September 2008 of 3%, particularly relevant to manual workers, who up to last year had no access to such payments. October 1st 2008 is the final payment in the 3 year deal which will be 2.5% or RPI (inflation4%+).This represents a 10% increase in just over a year (Aug2007 3%) in the pay packets for some of our lowest paid members.
I will shortly be representing YOU in discussing the timetable with the National employers for next year’s pay rise. I want to hear from YOU through the new website, what YOU think are the most important elements of the claim.1-3 year deal ,% or flat rate , harmonisation of conditions, holidays or working hours ???
You can expect to hear from me with a regular report “return on the 125” and from all the members of the exec on topics ranging from pay to the environment on this website, with at least a new top topic every Friday make sure YOU ! add this site to your favourites.
Many thanks to all the members of the exec who have inputted to the new web-site, in particular Peter Cochrane its creator. I hope YOU like it.
Derek Earnshaw,
Leeds Met Branch and National Chair of UNISON HE Read more…
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