The Friday email: 8 November 2024

Higher education: negotiators' Q&A and consultative ballot on final pay offer

Here is a crucial update on the consultative ballot on the higher education pay and working conditions offer 2024/25.

To recap, the elected representatives on UCU's higher education committee (HEC) considered the final offer from Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), and voted to reject the pay element of the offer and to accept the terms of reference relating to the pay spine review, workload, contract types, and equality pay gaps. HEC also voted to launch a consultative (electronic) ballot on the offer.

We are urging members (from HE branches included in the consultation) to register here for an online Q&A session with the HE national negotiators regarding the final offer. This will be an important opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about both the offer and the negotiation process. Here are further details:

• the negotiators' Q&A will be held online on Tuesday 12 November (15:00-17:00)
• the consultative ballot will launch on Tuesday 12 November and close on Tuesday 3 December (17:00)
• the ballot is being administered by the independent election scrutineer Civica Election Services, so members should look out for an email containing their unique link to vote from Civica
• click here for more information including reports from HE officers and the negotiators
• click here for a list of HE branches that will be included in the consultation (this list corresponds to institutions that are involved in JNCHES negotiations 2024/25)
• click here for a detailed FAQ addressing practical issues such as timetable, eligibility, and requesting replacements
• publicity materials will be available to download here from Tuesday 12 November.

We need a New Deal for FE!

Last week's Budget included an announcement of £300m additional funding for further education (FE) in England. Now we need to pressure the government to make sure this money goes to college staff to redress the years of pay stagnation and the disparity with schoolteachers. You can:

• sign and share our petition for national bargaining and a New Deal for FE
• email the Secretary of State for Education using UCU's template.

Your support is needed

Please support the following branches where UCU members in higher education are continuing to defend jobs and education:

• Brunel University of London: Brunel UCU members are holding an emergency general meeting to discuss their response to the news that 135 academic jobs have been put at risk of redundancy
• Cardiff University: Cardiff University has cut graduate tutor opportunities for the vast majority of PGRs within the School of Social Sciences. Many PGRs financially depend on this teaching work, which is also required for career development. Worryingly the only justification has been a vague reference to performance management. Cardiff UCU members fear this decision could be replicated in other schools and HE institutions, and they are concerned about the detrimental impact to staff workloads and job security for any casualised workers brought in for cover. Please sign the petition and share with your colleagues
• Open University: OU has begun a collective consultation on proposals to fire and rehire a group of OU associate lecturers if they do not 'agree' to have their working hours and pay reduced. Please support OU associate lecturers by signing this petition.

Last call for nominations for UCU NEC, officer and trustee positions

Nominations are now open for the UK-wide positions of UCU vice president (becoming president in 2027-28), honorary treasurer, trustees, and for more than 20 positions on UCU's national executive committee (NEC). Nominations are also sought for officer and committee member positions on UCU Scotland's executive. Full details including role descriptions and nomination forms can be found here. The deadline for completed nominations is Monday 11 November at 17:00. Elections take place in the new year.

UCU response to Skills for the future inquiry

UCU recently responded to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee inquiry into 'Skills for the future: apprenticeships and training'. For further details contact Rhianwen Roberts, UCU's policy offer on further education, prison education and adult and community education.

National Disabled Staff Survey webinar

RIDE Higher (Realising the Inclusion of Disabled Employees in Higher Education) and the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 14 November (16:00-17:00) to launch the first-ever National Disabled Staff Survey. You can register via this link.

Online English, Maths and ESOL conference

The annual English, Maths and ESOL conference, which has been running for over 20 years, is a forum for policymakers, providers, practitioners and researchers to discuss a range of issues in essential skills. It will take place online on Tuesday 19 November (10:00-12:45) and you can find more information here.

UCU LGBT+ solidarity webinar

At the end of Trans Awareness week and marking Trans Day of Remembrance you are invited to attend a webinar focusing on solidarity across all LGBT+ on Wednesday 20 November (10:00-11:30). Please click here to register.

Staff Governors Conference

The 2024 Staff Governors Conference will take place online on Wednesday 4 December (09:00-12:30). This long standing event developed by the Education and Training Foundation in conjunction with UCU, AoC, Holex, Unison and Unite has been referred to as the must attend event for FE staff governors. Click here for registration and more information.

Webinar on eVisa and immigration status

Bindmans solicitors are holding a webinar on Monday 18 November (13:00-14:00) which will give you an overview of the UK government's planned transition from physical biometric permits, including Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU settlement scheme and all types of visa to an electronic format. It is vital that UCU members and reps are fully aware of the implications of the change. Please do share with colleagues and encourage them to register for this event. We are collecting any questions members might have for the immigration lawyers relating to the e-Visa scheme/process. Please submit your questions to the UCU equalities team before 13 November.

Ceasefire NOW!

UCU joins with many others in Palestine, the UK, and beyond to reiterate the demands for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and the lifting of the siege of Gaza. 

We are very concerned by the sharp rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the UK and beyond since October 2023. We restate our unwavering opposition to all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia--hate has no place on our campuses or in our society. UCU also has a dedicated 'Ceasefire Now' web area where you can find information and resources.