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 Conditions Critical Campaign
Negotiations on pay and industrial relations in
higher education
As a result of a series of negotiations which concluded
in the early morning of 11 May, after a final 15 hour session of
talks, important progress has been made towards resolving the outstanding
dispute in HE on pay and conditions, and also towards the establishment
of a new NJC for the sector as a whole as recommended by the Bett
Report.
A package of proposals has been assembled covering
pay for all staff in the sector up to 31 July 2002, along with detailed
proposals on the establishment of a new National Joint Committee.
The University & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA)
have made clear that the offer on pay, which provides for phased
increases leading to a new unified settlement date for all staff
of 1 August from 2002 onwards is conditional on acceptance of the
whole package of proposals and full settlement of the current dispute.
All the HE unions will now be consulting their members.
A further meeting between UCEA and all the unions is to be held
on 25 June.
11 April 2001
EXECUTIVE REJECTS DERISORY PAY OFFER
Following further talks between the trade unions and
the employers on 6 April, the following joint statement was issued:
"The employers offered common increases for
all staff groups in 2001 of 3.3% or £365, whichever
is the greater, with transitional arrangements to harmonise settlement
dates aimed at delivering equity of treatment across staff groups.
The unions considered and rejected these proposals as inadequate
to meet their current aspirations in relation to the current and
coming year. It was agreed that the proposals would be explored
further by both sides with a view to reaching final conclusions
at a meeting on 10 May."
During negotiations it had been suggested that the
current pay review dates of April, July and September should all
be moved to 1 August. An example given would only have given 2 pence
per hour increase to manual workers in ‘old' universities between
1 April and 1 August. This was rejected. Further joint work is continuing
on this issue.
The Executive met on 10 April to consider the situation.
Members expressed dismay that the employers had not made any reference
to the current dispute around the pay offer for 2000. Also they
had not adequately addressed the low levels of pay in the sector.
The executive made the following decision:
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UNISON would continue to suspend the current
industrial action until the next meeting of the Executive to
give the employers the opportunity to respond differently to
the 2000 claim.
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To go forward from 10 May to ballot for industrial
action on the 2001 pay offer if it is not substantially improved
to meet the Bett recommendations on pay. Also to resume and
escalate the current industrial action short of strike for the
year 2000 campaign
The Executive will meet again on 14 May to consider
the outcome of the next round of talks.
Branches should make preparations to resume the action
after 14 May should this be necessary.
20 February 2001
The national action short of strike action in Higher Education
has been suspended to allow talks to take place from 15 February.
The action, involving members working to rule, and boycotting overtime
as well as a rally and many other events (see page 1) has been successful
in bringing the employers back to the negotiating table and getting
them to accept there was a problem. Any proposals arising from the
talks will be put to the membership.
Carol Judge, Scottish Organiser for Higher and Further Education
said: "In addition to re-starting the national negotiations, we
in Scotland also need to focus on the new Scottish sub-committee
of the bargaining machinery.
"For the first time we have a place where all higher education
trade unions and all employers can meet, face the challenges of
'life-long learning' and deal with the Minister, the Scottish Higher
Education Funding Council, and the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise
and Lifelong Learning Committee.”
4 December 2000
HIGHER EDUCATION - INDUSTRIAL ACTION
RALLIES
Detailed on a separate sheet (click
here) are confirmation of all the Rallies that are now taking
place across Scotland on 5 December 2000. Hopefully, UNISON will
have a sizeable presence at all Rallies and I do know the challenge
with the organisation and motivation of members to attend given
some of the difficulties in venues. However, all the hard work that
has taking place in the last 10 days, I am sure will pay off.
PETITIONS
I understand that all the unions, except UNISON, have agreed to
the text of a petition that is now currently circulating and I am
trying to check the details of the reasons why UNISON is unable
to support. However, you may wish to encourage members to support
an alternative petition and I would be obliged if you would consider
this matter.
MEETING WITH SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE MINISTER FOR ENTERPRISE AND
LIFELONG LEARNING - WENDY ALEXANDER
The EIS was given the task of liaising with the Minister's
office to seek a meeting with the unions in Higher Education in
Scotland. However, a verbal response on her behalf has been received
which indicates that pay and related matters is not an issue for
the Scottish Executive, but with the employer. Nevertheless, we
are going to make further representations to say that there are
issues affecting Higher Education and given that in Scotland, the
Scottish Executive is the funding body, then we do believe there
are a number of matters, including how the Bett Report is implemented,
can be pursued. I will keep you updated on progress in this matter.
SCOTTISH HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING COUNCIL
The full time officers of all the unison consider it viable to seek
a meeting with the Funding Council under the auspices of the STUC
and will make approaches to the STUC to facilitate such a meeting
in late January recognising the Funding Council is given the task
of distributing the monies to Higher Education Institutions in Scotland
and also advising the Minister of all matters. There could then
be scope to pursue certain matters via the Funding Council. Again,
I will keep you updated on developments.
INDUSTRIAL ACTION
You will have received separately, circulars from national level
giving the list of options available for branches to encourage members
to take action short of strike action. In Scotland, in consultation
with John Lambie, Assistant Scottish Secretary responsible for industrial
action, it is necessary for the Region to keep accurate records
of what action is being taken in branches. I would, therefore, ask
that all branches before commencing industrial action, complete
the attached form giving details of the action being taken, the
members involved and the impact on the employer. Should you require
any assistance in completing the information, please in the first
instance, liaise with your appropriate Regional Officer. It would
also be helpful if you could keep us updated should any of that
information vary or change. You will then be notified that the action
has been endorsed at Scottish level and can commence.
STATEMENT FROM LECTURERS
You will have received separately a copy of the text that the Lecturer
trade unions have agreed that their members will read out on 5 December
to students to explain what the industrial action is about. The
NUS were very keen to have such a statement to ensure maximum support
from students and they have welcomed the text.
MEMBERS COVERED BY THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION
I write to remind you that only those members who were balloted
and the employers notified of taking industrial action can be involved
in the action short of strike action. Again, should you require
any clarification, in the first instance please liaise with your
Regional Officer who will endeavour to get any queries dealt with
at national level. However, previous correspondence did detail all
the employers that were notified of the ballot and that list stands
for those affected by taking industrial action.
The Scottish Higher Education Service Group are conscious that
there are members employed in Higher Education that were not balloted
and, therefore, not covered by industrial action. However, we do
hope that branches will endeavour to ensure that they can be kept
fully informed of what is going on and where there are further Rallies
and other events, then they can be encouraged to participate without
in any way being seen to be taking any form of industrial action.
FOLLOW-UP MEETING
A further meeting of the full time officers has been scheduled for
Tuesday, 30 January 2001. However, at this time it only involves
those unions who are taking industrial action. This, in Scotland,
means the exemption of the AUT from that meeting. The aim will be
to review the industrial action and what progress is being made
and any response received from the employer.
Branches will be kept up to date on developments as they apply
in Scotland.
Yours sincerely
CAROL A JUDGE
Scottish Organiser Higher and further Education
22 November 2000
UNISON VOTES YES FOR ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE
Action to start on 5 December with day of rallies
and demonstrations - followed by work to rule and overtime bans
The Higher Education Service Group Executive met on
21 November 2000 to consider the results of the national ballot
on industrial action.
The results of the ballot were as follows:
Question 1 - "Are you prepared to take
part in strike action?” over 47% Yes.
Question 2 - "Are you prepared to take
part in action short of a strike?” - 72% Yes.
The National Executive Council Industrial Action Committee
has agreed to a campaign of action short of a strike. The other
higher education unions will be taking action along with UNISON.
Industrial action will commence on 5 December with
a day of demonstration and rallies across the country, launching
discontinuous disruption which will include withholding student
marks, working to contract, work to rule, and overtime bans. The
action will continue until a settlement is reached and has the full
support of the National Union of Students.
Detailed advice on the action will be sent to branches,
along with publicity material.
The decision follows the employers' refusal to negotiate
nationally on terms and conditions, or honour the recommendations
of the Bett Report.
HE members are angry at the contempt with which national
employers are dismissing an important report into pay and industrial
relations, according to Carol Judge (Scottish Organiser, Higher
& Further Education)
"The Bett Report showed enormous gaps in pay
between jobs in HE and market rates”, she said.
"The bargaining machinery was out of date, new
pay structures were needed and more. However the national employers
simply imposed a rejected 3% (4% for manual staff) offer with no
agreement, ignoring the recommendations of the Bett Report.”
Affected universities
The Scottish Universities affected are those traditionally
known as the 'old' universities - but not all employees of these
are included. Members are requested to check with their Branch
Secretary if they are not clear whether they are on National University
Conditions.
To: Secretaries of Higher Education Branches
24 November 2000
Dear Colleague
ADVICE ON ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE
Members have voted overwhelmingly (72%) to take part
in industrial action short of a strike. The other higher education
unions voted in a similar manner showing that 3 out of 4 university
and college staff are willing to take industrial action about pay
and the implementation of the Bett proposals. The National Executive
Council Industrial Action Committee has agreed that UNISON, members
should take action short of a strike commencing on the 5th December
2000, with lunchtime demonstrations and rallies.
Members should be asked to do the following:
- Keep to start and finish times
- Not work beyond contracted hours
- Take lunch and other break entitlements
- Claim time off in lieu when it is owed
- Refuse favours outside normal duties
- Not to cover for vacant posts and not to accept new duties
- Working strictly to the contract of employment
Overtime and call-out bans are now classified as action
short of a strike (Employment Relations Act 1999) and can be considered
in the action strategy. This form of action should be considered
carefully by branches in consultation with members, since it must
be recognised that many lower paid staff rely on this payment to
make up their pay. Branches should establish hardship funds if they
decide to consider this form of action.
There should also be an emphasis on claiming rights.
Branches are advised to look at any local agreements to ensure they
are being adhered to. Also health and safety regulations should
be observed. This to include training requirements, local agreements
and operating procedures.
A strength of the current industrial action is that
campus unions are involved. Joint union meetings should be held
to discuss the action.
Branches are urged to hold meetings to discuss what
further action short of a strike can be taken to assist in the campaign.
If branches are in any doubt about the action they propose to take
they should contact the region or this section for advice.
A leaflet on the action will be sent to branches.
The joint union higher education unions are meeting
again on 7 December to review the position. I hope you will do everything
you can to raise the issue at local level by carrying out the actions
outlined. I will keep you advised of developments.
Relations with employers
Both national and individual higher education institution
employers have been officially notified of the results of the ballot
and UNISON's intention to take industrial action short of a
strike. A similar letter has also been sent to Student Unions where
they are the direct employer of UNISON members. Some local institutions
may attempt to intimidate the UNISON branch by demanding lists of
the names of those taking part in strike action. You are not required
to provide such lists and if you are asked refer them to this section
at Mabledon Place. The letter I have sent to each institution about
the action dated 24 November, sets out the staff who will be called
upon to take strike action. Legally no other notice is needed.
If employers do attempt to threaten or intimidate
the branch, please contact your regional officer immediately. Also
contact other campus unions involved in the action to co-ordinate
a response. Remember that this is joint union action. A joint approach
should be made in the face of any attempt by employers to undermine
the action.
Report of Higher Education Service Group - Independent Review
of Higher Education Pay and Conditions
The principle activity of the Higher Education Service Group is
currently overseeing the work of the Scottish Sub Committee of the
Independent Review of Higher Education Pay and Conditions of Service
currently addressing these issues on a UK basis.
The terms of reference of the Scottish Sub Committee are to contribute
to the work of the IRHEPC in respect of Higher Education Institutions
and staff in Scotland, advising the Review Committee in particular
on:
- Necessary changes to those pay and conditions arrangements
currently negotiated separately in Scotland;
- Implications for Scotland on proposals being considered for
application across the UK;
- Considerations arising from the creation of the Scottish
Parliament and related devolutionary steps.
Two meetings of the Scottish Sub Committee have taken place to
date and a further six are planned with the intention that the Scottish
Sub Committee be ready to submit its views to the main Committee
by the end of January at the latest and earlier if at all possible.
The main Committee is currently reviewing all the evidence which
has been submitted to the Review and will be discussing this and
options for the future over the same period with the intention that
conclusions are reached such that a final report can be published
in the Spring of 1999.
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