UCU Regional Official Greg Barnett in attendance to welcome one Branch and to give advice on key issues of dispute with UEL management.
Please Attend the AGM. Full details and agenda in the text below:
Firstly welcome back for Semester B. I know that many of us feel that there has not been much time from a break but I do hope that you managed to get some days off in between the marking, preparation and trying to work on own research/writing if possible. All I can offer is the comfort that at least the semester will finish early and we can hopefully get some rest and have time for other things, whatever they may be.
The one Branch inaugural AGM on Wednesday 1st February. It is going to be held in Docklands for practical reasons but there will follow a meeting in Stratford and possibly one in Duncan House.
The dates and times are:
AGM Docklands Wednesday 1st February 1.15-2.30. Room – EB.G.08
Stratford Meeting Wednesday 8th February 1.15-2.30 Room – UH2.30
We also hope to arrange a meeting at Duncan House for members to meet Officers informally if they are unable to get to either meeting. This can be arranged if members at Duncan House would find this helpful: please let me know.
As this is the inaugural meeting the attached Local Branch Rules will be agreed by the Branch and new Officers and Representatives formally confirmed as in post following the call for nominations in December. There will also be an opportunity for members to be co-opted at this stage for any outstanding vacancies.
There is much to discuss and we need to hear your views so please attend as important decisions will be taken. Greg Barnett, our Regional Official will be in attendance to give us advice about industrial relations at UEL and possible industrial action. This would be industrial action firstly in relation to local issues such as the field leader role, the attempted imposition of the Portfolio model in some Schools, and attempts to impose a Workforce Strategy without any discussions with the unions representing that workforce despite, for example, wishing to introduce punitive performance management. There are also serious concerns being raised about UEL’s commitment to the HPL Agreement which was hard fought for by UCU.
There is also a call for further nation al industrial action on 1 March in relation to changes to our pensions. So this will be a significant meeting.
Provisional agenda:
1. Local Rules
2. Confirmation of Officers and Representatives
3. Industrial Action – local and national – discussion of issues
4. Advice from Greg Barnett, Regional Official
5. Motions to the Branch – endorsement of NEC position on Pensions.
6. AOB
7. Dates of branch meetings this semester
I do hope you will come to the meetings. It is important that Officers hear your view on issues both local and national. More academic staff at UEL are joining UCU not only for the individual protection it offers but also because colleagues realise how essential it is that we stand together and not let management introduce a culture of fear or bullying at UEL. There have been some great examples of colleagues standing together recently which we will discuss with you.
Regards
Jacqui
UCU Acting Branch Secretary
