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November, 2013:

Strike action Tuesday 3rd December 2013

    The strike action on 31st October succeeded in getting UCEA back to the table but disappointingly the employers threw away yet another chance to resolve the dispute, failing to make any improved offer, and leaving members to continue to face a 13% pay cut against inflation. It is important that members support the strike on December 3rd in order to keep pressure on the employers in the continued fight for a fair deal. UCU will continue to use all avenues and channels open to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations. Fuller details on the negotiations can be found at http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6759 .

Please make sure that you come to the picket line.  It is very important that we show our collective unity on the picket line. Pickets will be arranged to cover both Stratford and Docklands campus between 7am – 2pm and will be arranged in three time slots 7-10; 9-12; 11-2. Please contact your UCU coordinator to let them know which picket duty slot you will be attending.

 Pickets on each site will be at:

  • Docklands:  Cyprus DLR, Car Park Barrier, Pedestrian Access by Sports Dock and if possible Pedestrian Access along Dockside.
  • Stratford:  Main Entrance, Cedars Road Car Park entrance (Main), Cedars Road Car Park (Mini), Ferns Road Car Park.

Coordinators are:

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UCU Branch Meetings

The next UCU Branch Meetings will be at:

  • Tuesday 26th November 2013 at Stratford 12-1.30pm in RB.1.17,
  • Wednesday 27th November 2013 at Docklands 12-2.00pm in SD.1.13.

Items on the agenda are

  • module evaluation system
  • workload model update
  • pay claim and proposed strike action on Tuesday 3rd December
  • New Academic Framework
  • Zero Hours Contracts
  • Motion in support of 3 Cosas’ campaign of outsourced workers at the University of London
  • Action short of a strike
  • Performance related pay scheme

EvaSys Module Evaluation System

 There has been a considerable and substantial negative response to the imposed introduction of the new EvaSys Module Evaluation System from both members and non-members alike.

 In response to this UCU has written to the Vice Chancellor directly requesting its withdrawal pending consultation.  Please see below for letter: (more…)

UEL students write to VC on the new academic framework

UEL Socialist Students recently wrote to the VC expressing concerns at the lack of communication between students and the VCG and asking the VC how he plans on implementing the new academic framework when there is a chronic shortage of staff.   (more…)

BRING YOUR LUNCH TO WORK DAY – Tuesday 19th November

Protest against the quality and cost of the food provided by Chartwell’s and their use of Zero-hours contracts.

Staff and students will gather together on the ground floor of the atrium at Docklands and the main foyer of the entrance on Stratford Campus in a protest.  Please bring a packed lunch and a blanket.  We will have a mass lunch together with concerned students between 12.30 and 1.30 in the first part of campaign to demand better quality food and for catering staff to be on proper contracts otherwise this will be the first of regular boycotts and protest.

Please join us and show your unhappiness with Chartwell’s.

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London Living Wage Event today at 1pm EB.G.08

  • Since 2001, London Citizens’ collaboration with workers has won over £100million in extra wages, lifting over 12,000 families out of poverty.
  • UEL became the first post-92 University to sign up to the Living Wage in 2010
  • Come and celebrate the fact that UEL has become an accredited Living Wage Employer

PUBLIC MEETING : Zero Tolerance for Zero Hours

 Zero-hours Contracts have no place in Higher Education

Wednesday 13th November 2013 at 5.30pm at London Metropolitan University, room GCG08 Tower Building (opposite Holloway Road Tube Station)

Speakers: John McDonnell MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP. Liz Lawrence {Vice President UCU}, Katherine West {Leader Labour Group Islington Council}, John Fox {Branch Chair Bakers Union Hovis}, Jane Thompson {UCU HPL National Officer} plus UCU Member Edinburgh University

 Meeting sponsored by the London Met UCU, supported by London Met Unison and Students Union. Supported by London Region UCU

In some universities as many as half of all staff are on zero hours contracts. (more…)