Stand up for Research

The latest proposal by the higher education funding councils is for 25% of the new Research Excellence Framework (REF) to be assessed according to 'economic and social impact'. As academics, researchers and higher education professionals we believe that it is counterproductive to make funding for the best research conditional on its perceived economic and social benefits.

Universities must continue to be spaces in which the spirit of adventure thrives and where researchers enjoy academic freedom to push back the boundaries of knowledge in their disciplines.

We, therefore, call on the UK funding councils to withdraw the current REF proposals and to work with academics and researchers on creating a funding regime which supports and fosters basic research in our universities and colleges rather than discourages it.

We are asking every member in higher education to sign this statement to ensure that HEFCE hear the voice of the profession. You can sign here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/standupforresearch

UCU vows to fight job losses at University of Leeds

UCU has warned that hundreds of jobs could be risk at the University of Leeds after the university announced plans for a £35 million budget cut. The news comes after 52 staff, from the Faculty of Biological Sciences and School of Healthcare, left over the summer and the union has accused management of putting the university’s academic reputation at risk. UCU University of Leeds branch president, Malcolm Povey, said: “We believe that the vice-chancellor has a duty to defend the academic work of staff at the university. The proposed cuts could lead to hundreds of valuable staff being made redundant at time when the city, and the country, needs a strong higher education sector.

We will defend every job and oppose any threat of compulsory redundancies. Staff are the most important resource at any university and getting rid of huge numbers is not in the interests of the university, its students or the local community. Management needs to work with us during these tough economic times.” http://www.ucu.org.uk/4201

You can follow the campaign and support colleagues across the road by visiting their blog at: http://leedsucu.wordpress.com/

UCU environment conference – 25 November 2009

This will be a major event for UCU environmental activists where we will look at developments in the education sector as well as those at national and international level. For further information and to register, please click here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3386

UCU Rally Thursday October 8th, Leeds Uni

Defend Jobs, Defend Education

UCU, UNISON and UNITE rally: Defend Jobs in Higher Education, This Thursday, October 8th, 1230 outside the Edward Boyle Library

The threat to our members jobs and to members of our sister unions continues to increase. Over the summer we have seen 20 voluntary severances in the School of Healthcare and over 30 in the Faculty of Biological Sciences (FBS). The university has stated that it is looking for 60 jobs to go in FBS and has made clear its determination to achieve this level of cuts. Reviews are taking place in at least five other schools and institutes throughout the university.

It is vital that UCU members show their solidarity with those whose jobs are under threat; tomorrow it could be your job. Even if you can’t attend, you can print out the rally notice and attach it to your door, window and notice board.

Leeds College of Art Strike Action: Tuesday 29 September

A big thank you to all the members who supported our strike action this week by joining our picket line or by simply not showing up for work. Thank you also to the UCU Branches and members who came along as well. It's great to know that Leeds University UCU and Leeds Met UCU have the time and commitment to support a small college like ours and that members are prepared to travel from Bradford and further afield to support us.

We had more press coverage that our previous day of action; featuring alongside similar actions at Doncaster and Barnsley College on BBC Look North reports on Monday and all day Tuesday; being covered with other industrial actions in the region on Calendar and a lengthy interview played on Radio Leeds throughout the day; and an article in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Our actions resulted in the Foundation course being unable to attract enough supply teachers and having to give the students an independent study day, while elsewhere in the college whole departments and workshops were closed.

A marked difference between this and previous actions has been the amount of support shown by students and members of the public. Throughout the day Branch members engaged students in discussion about the key issues of the strike and the wider context of union activity within the college. Students were both supportive of our actions and shocked by the reluctance of management to engage in conversation with us. Our petition has been an important tool in engaging a wider public and currently the number of signatures stands at approximately 750, though continuing to grow daily online ww.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/leeds-college-of-art.html

Julie Kelley, an UCU regional official who was on the picket line with us did manage to have a conversation with Simone Wonnacott who promised that her door was open to UCU and our Regional Office has been busy ensuring that Simone holds to her word.

Elsewhere in the region there was some very good news on the eve of the strike. Following an 11th hour meeting with management on Friday, the Askam Bryan College branch were able to confirm to us that management had agreed to a schedule of meetings over the Autumn term with a commitment to resolving the current dispute. The first two meetings have already been scheduled during October with ACAS facilitating. Consequently, the branch have agreed the suspend strike action.

As our IOU campaign continues we should take heart from the victory by UCU members at Tower Hamlets College which shows that union action is effective in changing the direction of management.

Doncaster College Demonstration - Saturday 10 October

DONCASTER COLLEGE: STOP THE CUTS
119 JOBS UNDER THREAT

Forget the media babble about what the Tories or New Labour might cut after the next election. Jobs are being cut in FE colleges up and down the country. The threat to 119 jobs at Doncaster College will massively reduce provision and add to Doncaster’s already disproportionate unemployment total. It is a scandal that colleges are being denied money because of the billions used to bail out the banks. We should be investing in FE and giving our young people the skills and education they need. Doncaster UCU is determined to fight the cuts. We are inspired by the brilliant fight back of our colleagues at Tower Hamlets College who went all out and won. The fight starts now. Doncaster UCU is backing the joint union demonstration called with Unison and Doncaster Trades Council to fight cuts across the public sector. We are asking for your support. Bring your members and banners – Let’s rage against this madness.

DEMONSTRATE AGAINST COLLEGE AND PUBLIC SECTOR CUTS: SATURDAY OCTOBER 10TH
ASSEMBLE: 10.30 AT THE MANSION HOUSE, HIGH STREET, DONCASTER.
March and rally. Speakers from Doncaster UCU and UCU Yorkshire and Humberside Region, Unison and FBU.