Nottingham Trent University in strike call
4 September 2008
Members of UCU at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) are set to vote on strike action in on ongoing row over union recognition.
The union warned today that if members vote to strike, and the university does not return to the negotiating table to reach a settlement, it will have no choice but to take industrial action. The ballot opens on Monday (8 September) will close on 29 September.
The university has formally terminated recognition of UCU - the world's largest post-16 education trade union - in what has been described as a 'direct attack on independent trade unionism' by the union. UCU says Nottingham Trent has been attempting to tear up the current terms for negotiating with the union in favour of radically inferior arrangements that would marginalise the campus unions and cut facility time for union reps by 80%.
Despite the university saying it will continue to deal with the union, it is insisting that it will only recognise UCU if it complies with the university's new proposals. UCU said today that a further example of the university's disregard for agreements was highlighted by its decision to formally terminate the current recognition agreement with UCU at the end of September – a full six months less notice than is actually stipulated in the current agreement. It warned that the university's standing in academic circles is decreasing and warned that it would continue to highlight its failings.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "Feelings are running very high at Nottingham Trent and throughout the academic community because of the utterly unacceptable behaviour of the university. The breaking of the recognition agreement is the culmination of a series of incidents where agreements made by UCU on behalf of members have been disregarded by the university.
'The situation could not be more serious. Locally we have had huge support to push for strike action and even an international boycott of the university if that is what is required to get this situation sorted. The local branch and head office have received hundreds messages of support and we know many people are taking the matter up directly with the vice-chancellor. Over five thousand people have now signed a petition calling upon the Nottingham Trent University Board of Governors to ensure that NTU honours the Recognition Agreement it has with UCU and acts in good faith.
'Industrial action is not in the interests of anyone involved with Nottingham Trent University and it will further damage the institution's reputation. Understandably, people do not want to work for an institution which signs an agreement then wilfully and unashamedly disregards it.'
The university has formally terminated recognition of UCU - the world's largest post-16 education trade union - in what has been described as a 'direct attack on independent trade unionism' by the union. UCU says Nottingham Trent has been attempting to tear up the current terms for negotiating with the union in favour of radically inferior arrangements that would marginalise the campus unions and cut facility time for union reps by 80%.
Despite the university saying it will continue to deal with the union, it is insisting that it will only recognise UCU if it complies with the university's new proposals. UCU said today that a further example of the university's disregard for agreements was highlighted by its decision to formally terminate the current recognition agreement with UCU at the end of September – a full six months less notice than is actually stipulated in the current agreement. It warned that the university's standing in academic circles is decreasing and warned that it would continue to highlight its failings.
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "Feelings are running very high at Nottingham Trent and throughout the academic community because of the utterly unacceptable behaviour of the university. The breaking of the recognition agreement is the culmination of a series of incidents where agreements made by UCU on behalf of members have been disregarded by the university.
'The situation could not be more serious. Locally we have had huge support to push for strike action and even an international boycott of the university if that is what is required to get this situation sorted. The local branch and head office have received hundreds messages of support and we know many people are taking the matter up directly with the vice-chancellor. Over five thousand people have now signed a petition calling upon the Nottingham Trent University Board of Governors to ensure that NTU honours the Recognition Agreement it has with UCU and acts in good faith.
'Industrial action is not in the interests of anyone involved with Nottingham Trent University and it will further damage the institution's reputation. Understandably, people do not want to work for an institution which signs an agreement then wilfully and unashamedly disregards it.'
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