Model communications for rolling strikes

It may not be possible to call meetings with the kind of regularity needed to support a weekly rolling strike action campaign for example. That makes good communications even more important in this case. Below, we've identitied what we think is some particularly good practice from Leeds University UCU. The president's emails are short, to the point and try to feature something new each time, as well as including all the relevant information to ensure that a member can support the action. Read on...

The money is there - we want a fair share. Strike facts no.1

Dear UCU Member,

In case you needed reminding why it is we necessary for us to strike for 2 hours Thursday 23rd of January 11-1:-

Here is the first in a short series of e-mails highlighting the facts that underpin our case for fair pay in HE.

Nationally: VC pay awards averaging at 8% - far outstripping the miserly 1% that has been added to our pay - has dominated headlines since the beginning of the New Year. It's a disgrace.

At Leeds:

So while the headline figure of a 15.2% pay rise disguises a restructuring of the remuneration package, the actual increase is 5%.

We are not privy as yet to details of the new VC's remuneration
Source: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/1332/annual_report_and_accounts_2012-13

Since 2008 the overall rise in Leeds VC pay including pension contributions has been 16.1% - that looks close to what we all would have had if staff pay had kept pace with inflation.
Source: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/330/annual_report_2008-2009

THE MONEY IS THERE - WE WANT A FAIR SHARE
Download a poster: https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf

Ann Blair
President, University of Leeds UCU.

The money is there - we want a fair share. Strike facts no.2

Dear UCU Member,

In case you needed reminding why it is necessary for us to strike for 2 hours Thursday 23rd of January 11-1:-

Here is the second in a short series of e-mails highlighting the facts that underpin our case for fair pay in HE.

Nationally
UCU has made the case that there is a £1.1 Bn surplus in the sector.

At Leeds
It seems that the overall pay bill for 2012/13 was LOWER - in cash terms - than it was in 2009/10 and not a great deal higher than it was in 2008/09.

Source
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/1332/annual_report_and_accounts_2012-13

THE MONEY IS THERE - WE WANT A FAIR SHARE

Download a poster:
https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf

Join the picket/small rally at the main entrance at 11/11.30

Ann Blair
President, University of Leeds UCU.

The money is there - we want a fair share. Strike facts no.3

Dear UCU Member,

In case you STILL need reminding why it is necessary for us to strike for 2 hours Thursday 23rd of January 11-1:-

Here is the third in a short series of e-mails highlighting the facts that underpin our case for fair pay in HE.

Nationally:
UCU has made the case that there is a £1.1 Bn surplus in the sector.

At Leeds:
There is still money for the very high paid.

In 2011/12 102 members of staff were paid £100,000+
In 2012/13 this has risen to 116.

Of these

In 2011/12 10 members of staff were paid £200,000+
In 2012/13 this has risen to 14.

Source: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/1332/annual_report_and_accounts_2012-13

THE MONEY IS THERE - WE WANT A FAIR SHARE
Download a poster:
https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf

Join the picket/small rally at the main entrance at 11/11.30

Ann Blair
President, University of Leeds UCU.

PS Sorry if the formatting made the figures in the last message less than plain - Overall staff bill less in 2012/13 than in 2009/10

In £1000
2008/9 - 298,626
2009/10 - 303,691
20010/11 - 292,568
2011/12 - 284,950
2012/13 - 301,773

The money is there - we want a fair share. Strike facts no.4

Dear UCU Member,
In case you need reminding why it is necessary for us to strike on the 6th of February:-

Here is the fourth in a short series of e-mails highlighting the facts that underpin our case for fair pay in HE.

Nationally
UCU has made the case that there is a £1.1 Bn surplus in the sector.

At Leeds
We want to see good facilities for students and for staff but....

In 2013 and 2014 the University is spending £50.2M on just 3 flagship building projects

The Laidlaw Library
The Social Sciences Refurbishment and
The Relocation of Geography

Source: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/estate_services/design/currentprojects.htm

And in 2013
"More than £100m of funding for the highest priority capital projects was approved in principle by Council"

Source Reporter issue 579 January 2014 http://www.leeds.ac.uk/forstaff/reporter

THE MONEY IS THERE - WE WANT A FAIR SHARE

Download a poster:
https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf

The strike on the 6th is an all day strike taken alongside Unison and UNITE. Look out early next week for more details of what is planned for the 6th.

Ann Blair
President, University of Leeds UCU.

The money is there - we want a fair share. Strike facts no.5

Dear UCU Member,

In case you need reminding why you should join the picket lines or one of the rallies and be on strike tomorrow the 6th of February (details below):-

Here is the fifth in a short series of e-mails highlighting the facts that underpin our case for fair pay in HE.

Nationally
UCU has made the case that there is a £1.1 Bn surplus in the sector.

At Leeds
Last year the University transferred £40,568,000 into reserves
This is added to the £67,448,000 that was transferred to reserves in 2011/12

The University reported total assets (including pension deficit) for 2012/12 of £584,733,000 compared to £502,887000 in 2011/12

Of these current assets in 2012/13 (stock/debtors/investments and cash in bank and in hand, minus creditors) £102,926,000 compared to £93,206,000 in 2011/12.

So, for example, a 3% increase in the pay bill would not be cheap - it would cost around £6,000,000 more than the 1% we've been offered - but compared to the £100,000,000+ transferred to reserves over the last 2 years it doesn't seem much at all.

Source Annual Reports Account 2012/13
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/1332/annual_report_and_accounts_2012-13

THE MONEY IS THERE - WE WANT A FAIR SHARE

Download a poster:
https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf

The strike on the 6th is an all day strike taken alongside Unison and UNITE.

Ann Blair
President, University of Leeds UCU.

Picket lines from 7.00, Rally outside LUU 10.30, Muster Parkinson Steps 11.30 to march into town and rally Victoria Gardens outside the Art Gallery.