Members mark UCU launch with HE pay solidarity events

1 June 2006

The creation of new union UCU is today being marked by a day of solidarity by its higher education members who are involved in a major national pay dispute.

The University and College Union will continue the dispute which began with the predecessor unions AUT and NATFHE. Events will take place across the UK, including a lobby of the headquarters of the employers' body, UCEA, which has repeatedly failed to make an acceptable pay offer.

UCU members have been taking action, which includes an assessment boycott, over the dispute since 8 March.

Members have also been asked to mark the solidarity day on 1 June by collecting money for the dispute hardship fund to help support those members hit by pay deductions as a result of taking part in the industrial action.

Although this is not a day of strike action, and as such members should ensure duties other than those covered by the ongoing action short of a strike are carried out as normal, members are asked to add their voice to one of the local or national events taking place.

The events to mark Solidarity Day are detailed below

Thursday 1 June - London lobby of UCEA:

• Assemble 12.30, Keyworth Street, South Bank University. 1pm start.
• Route: Blackfriars Rd over Blackfriars Bridge, Newbridge St, Farringdon St, Charterhouse St, High Holborn, (past Holborn tube at approx 1.45pm) Southampton Row, Woburn place, Tavistock Square at 2pm.

Members should contact their branch or local association for details of any local/regional activities.

And in Scotland:

Members are invited to support the inaugural rally of UCU Scotland this Thursday:

• Thursday 1 June
• 12.30 - 13.30
• Aberdeen Arts Centre- 33 King Street, Aberdeen

This will include:

• report on national pay negotiations;
• celebrate our new union, the University and College Union Scotland;
• 'no pay, no way' - reverse all pay deductions [Robert Gordon University has currently suspended plans to dock 100% pay pending the outcome of national pay negotiations, but the threat has not been entirely lifted];
• 'no redundancies'- speaker from Abertay Dundee UCU, campaign against compulsory redundancy;
• supporting student and trades union council speakers.

1 JUNE WILL ALSO BE 'GIVE A DAY'S PAY TO THE UNION, NOT MANAGEMENT' DAY

Branches and local associations have been asked to:

• collect money for the strike hardship fund both on campus and in the community;
• meet their vice-chancellor or principal and ask them to sign a statement on declining university pay;
• invite the local press in to discuss the dispute;
• contact local members of parliament - ask for their support and/or to speak at events.

• Dan Ashley
  press@ucu.org.uk|
  Tel:020 7756 2600
  Mobile: 07789 518 992
  Fax:020 7756 2501