- University changes and lack of consultation
- Health and Safety inspection on work-related stress
- Workload Rep Training available
- Deferral of Launch of Academic Promotions Round for 2024/25
- Subscription rates for 2024-25
University changes and lack of consultation Cardiff UCU has become increasingly concerned with the pace of changes happening at our institution, the lack of trade union consultation around these, and the fear and uncertainty that this creates for many of our members. At recent Joint Consultative and Negotiating Forum meetings, we have expressed our concern for members alongside our concern that the trade unions are not being meaningfully consulted. The university disagrees that significant changes requiring consultation are taking place, despite the major impacts the freeze of non-staff budgets, and what UEB refer to as “strict recruitment control” are having across schools and departments. Some examples include: the closure of an MSc programme after students had already been accepted; the increased use of Grade 5 contracts for what are normally Grade 6 roles and the removal of teaching opportunities for PhD students in some schools Increased administrative load for staff to access research budgets or replace vacant posts Recent university rankings show that Cardiff ranks poorly for student satisfaction. We know that this will only get worse: the inevitable outcome of VSS, ‘strict recruitment control’ and other changes is to reduce staff numbers and place more work onto the colleagues who remain. Overworked staff with low morale will further drive down student satisfaction, with worrying consequences for health, safety and wellbeing (see the results of our work-related stress H&S inspection below). We need to hear from you about what changes you are experiencing and how they are affecting you. Please fill out this short survey. Health and Safety inspection on work-related stress In Feb-March 2024, UCU Workload Reps carried out a H&S inspection focused on work-related stress in the School of Law and Politics (LAWPL). Staff reported a worrying array of negative impacts on their health (mental and physical), and the results from the Health and Safety Executive’s Stress Indicator survey (below) show that “urgent action is needed” across 6 of the 7 Management Standard areas. |
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| Disappointingly, the university’s response has been to minimise the findings, despite a report from LAWPL itself that describes staff as ‘at breaking point’. You can find links to UCU’s report and the response on our website. We are very concerned that if the university does not act, we will see further deteriorations in staff wellbeing. The university has already experienced the worst possible outcome of work-related stress, and it should be doing everything in its power to tackle the key drivers of stress such as unmanageable workloads. This is intended to be the first of our department H&S inspections on this issue, and if you can help us do an inspection in your school or department, please get in touch: rcampbell@ucu.org.uk. UCU has an upcoming training for those interested in becoming a Workload Rep: Taking place on August 2nd this short course is open to UCU activists and reps who want to build upon their knowledge of workload as a health and safety hazard in the workplace. The UCU workload campaign gives us the tools to tackle increasing workloads and working hours. The failure of employers to protect staff from excessive workloads and stress is damaging our health, our students’ education, and our ability to organise to defend ourselves and our sector In this course you will work through practical examples and explore ideas around how to use the safety rep functions to identify and reduce excessive workloads. Find more information on the course and how to register here. Deferral of Launch of Academic Promotions Round for 2024/25 The branch has been informed that the launch of the 2024/25 Academic Promotions round, is being deferred, pending review of the financial position in September 2024. In September, the university will apparently have greater certainty regarding several income streams and cost centres, including the outcome of the current VSS Scheme. The 2023/24 promotions round that is currently underway will continue as planned with an effective date for promotions awarded of 1 August 2024.The branch will be updated again in September. Subscription rates 2024-25 Subscription rates will increase slightly in September 2024, ranging from 7p to 97p depending on salary band. You can view the new rates (including local subs, which will not increase) on our website here. Please check your details on MyUCU to make sure you are at the correct subscription level for your salary – members must notify us if they move into a higher band. Services and benefits, including legal services, can only be provided to those paying the correct subscription. Support the Unite Branch for UCU Staff The Unite Branch for UCU Staff has been undertaking industrial action in the last few weeks. Our branch has passed a motion in support of Unite UCU which can be found on our website. You can find more information on the industrial action by looking at this pamphlet put out by Unite UCU |