Just before Xmas we asked members for feedback on the management’s proposed changes to the appraisal system which were announced in BLAS on 9 December. i.e. the replacement of the appraisal system with Performance Development Review. We have received a massive response and it is clear that there is widespread concern on a range of issues. The feedback is now being collated. UCU, UNITE and UNISON will be holding a joint meeting  with management during January. We will keep members informed.

There was no substantial consultation in advance of the announcement in BLAS and UCU has noted the short time allowed for the consultation with staff and that it coincided with the Xmas holiday period.

UCU members who are in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) may be interested in the letter received from Professor Tim Valentine, Chair of the USS Step Up Campaign Steering Group:

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) invests around £50 billion of our money. Some of that money is invested in stocks that fund controversial weapons or climate change – stocks that we don’t want to profit from. Over 3,000 USS members got the scheme to agree to survey members’ interests last year. They have failed to deliver on that agreement.  To be frank, USS executives are being pretty stubborn. They don’t want to take our opinions into account when investing our money. But we can change that. Representatives from our universities and institutions will meet USS executives on 3 December. Let’s get our message through to them. Take 2 minutes to write down why you want USS to step up We need to keep the pressure on USS – especially Chief Investment Officer Roger Gray – to engage with the people whose money they manage: us. It is our savings that are being invested in stocks that fund cluster bombs, climate change, tobacco or other controversial activities. We have a right to have a say in those investments.  Click here to make sure your reasons are heard on 3 December As we ramp up the pressure on USS together, it’s getting harder for them to ignore us.

All the best, Professor Tim Valentine Chair of the USS: Step Up steering group and former Chair of the ‘Ethics for USS’ campaign

We are asking all members to help recruit a colleague to UCU during week commencing Monday 16 November. A pack is on its way to all members which includes an invitation letter and a selection of leaflets. As we know, the more members we have, the stronger our voice will be so, if you are a member, please pass these on to just one colleague – by doing so you will give a tremendous boost to our campaign.

Not a member yet but want to join? Go to https://join.ucu.org.uk or telephone the Membership Team on 0333  207  0719

UCU has submitted a detailed response to management on the Workload Allocation Model. To read it go to http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/ucu/?page_id=303&preview=true

UCU is pressing management to re-engage in meaningful consultation on the restructuring of the Careers Service. During the formal consultation earlier this year we urged management to address our primary concerns which are the undermining of the professional standing of staff and the down grading of posts within the service. New proposals which were presented on 26 June have substantial changes to those considered during the consultation process. The “Final” structure is now significantly different from the plans we were consulted on with fewer roles available in the revised structure. It is our view that meaningful consultation may now not have occurred because the plans are so radically different to the plans finalised in February. We have therefore written to management asking  that formal consultation re-commence because we are now dealing with a completely different proposition to the one which was presented to the consultation team at the beginning of the year.

Our discussions with management on the restructuring of the School of Medicine ( “MEDIC Forward”) are at a critical stage.  The management proposals include disinvestment in some research areas and consequential redundancies. Cardiff UCU remains convinced that there are serious weaknesses in the Business Cases that are being used to inform the identification of roles at risk of disinvestment.

There are 11 distinct Business Cases and the weakness vary from case to case. We are very concerned about the criteria used for selecting areas of research. Often the areas of research do not seem to be based on established or accepted structures within MEDIC.  Insufficient detail has been provided for how and why areas and sub areas have been selected for disinvestment. We have already stated our concerns in person and in writing but they remain unchanged in their substance. The use of these Business Cases to make staff redundant may result in legal challenge that could be damaging to Cardiff University. 

DEPUTATION TO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL : Restructurings in the School of Medicine and the Careers and Employability Service

The University Council held on Monday 18th May received a UCU deputation. The UCU representatives made representations regarding the proposed restructurings in the School of Medicine and the Careers and Employability Service.

We have grave concerns about the way the work of the restructuring in the School of Medicine (MEDIC) is being structured and the way that engagement internally and externally is being framed and feel that there is a real risk of severe reputational damage to Cardiff University resulting from major omissions in the process to date, notwithstanding the impact on the staff involved.

We recognise that change has to happen to create a School of Medicine that is fit for purpose.  However, for optimum outcomes the programme of change needs to be managed in a sustainable fashion that staff are actively engaged with, rather than in a reactive and top-down manner as is becoming increasingly apparent in MEDIC Forward.  We believe that the management strategy, which includes disinvestment in some areas, does not stand examination. Among the recommendations made by our representatives were including treating staff as people rather than a resource and urging consultation with all stakeholders including students, the NHS and the BMA.

We feel that the approach taken in other restructures in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Careers Service have generated some of the same issues. We believe that the management approach to restructuring and the particular issues uncovered in relation to the School of Medicine and the Careers & Employability Service, merited the attention of Council, as the responsible body for the governance and management of the University.

We now wait to see what the reaction of Council will be.

NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY (NSS)

Members may know that the NSS closes today 30 April. The results will be published later this year. UCU has issues with this annual exercise. We believe that the best way to ensure high quality teaching and learning is through good, committed professional practice in an adequately funded system. We would like to hear your views and any concerns you may have.  You may be assured of complete confidentiality. ucu@cardiff.ac.uk

SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE

We are discussing this issue with management and would like to hear from members about their experiences and any difficulties up to now. You may be assured of complete confidentiality.  Mail to: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk

PAY TO STUDENTS WHO TEACH

Are you aware of any students who teach and are not getting a fair deal?

– are they being paid at the correct rate?

– are they paid on time?

– are they properly paid for preparation time?

– is the paid time for marking fair?

If you are aware of any students being treated in this way please let us know. ucu@cardiff.ac.uk

UCU representatives continue to work hard on your behalf. Among the major issues on which we are currently engaged with management are:

– Workload Models;

– Pay protection under the Management of Change;

– Shared Parental Leave;

– Disabled Leave Policy;

– Restructuring of SOCSI professional services;

– Restructuring in Careers

The Casework Team is dealing with a record number of requests from members for individual support and advice. Over 60 requests have been received during this session, excluding the support to MEDIC members. Could you give some time to help your colleagues who have work place issues? If so, please do get in touch with the UCU office for further information.

**PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE: UCU NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) ELECTION: CLOSING DATE FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015**

If you have not already done so, please use your vote in the NEC election. It is important to the Union’s democratic process that every eligible member uses their vote.

NEED ADVICE – GET IN TOUCH!

Your colleagues here who represent you are working hard on many issues. UCU is your union. If you have any workplace issues causing you concern or worry and you need help, do not hesitate to get in touch. Advice will be given in complete confidence.  ucu@cardiff.ac.uk

UCU (UK) CONGRESS – MOTIONS AND DELEGATES & OUR NEXT GENERAL MEETING (GM)

UCU’s UK Congress (and the Higher Education Sector Conference [HESC]) will be held on 23 – 25 May 2105 in Glasgow. Our next GM (Wednesday 11 March 2015 at 1.10pm in the Glamorgan Committee Room 1, Cathays Park campus) will consider motions to the Congress and HESC and the election of our delegates. If you wish to submit a motion, please submit it by email by 9am Monday 2 March.  Motions should be a maximum of 150 words with a title of no more than 10 words. ucu@cardiff.ac.uk

If you wish to put your name forward as a delegate, please get in touch as soon as possible. ucu@cardiff.ac.uk