Dear Members We’ve got a very long edition of the newsletter, and we cover a lot of ground in it. Please take a look at the ‘contents’ so you don’t miss anything. Very sadly, one of our members has recently passed away, and the branch sends our condolences to the family of Emma Fitchett. Please do read the tribute …
Author Archives: mackenzd
Trade Unions Joint Statement on Lancaster University Menopause Policy
Menopause is a workplace issue, it is a trade union issue, it is everyone’s issue and for that reason Lancaster University needs a menopause policy. However, the employer is refusing to accept this. The idea and research for a menopause policy was developed by Lancaster University Women’s Network from 2018 onwards and supported by the …
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Exam arrangements update
Following our last post (29 Apr 21), conversations with the University about arrangements for TOIL/overtime payments over the exam period have continued. A position has been arrived at by the University which is marginally better than the previous one, and which the unions are not 100% satisfied with, but we believe we’ve got as far …
Exam arrangements
Over the last few days professional services staff in departments across the University have been asked to agree to work outside their contracted hours, including evenings and weekends, to support students during the exam period. Despite all three trade unions raising questions about how the process would be managed back in Feb 2021, it is …
Mar 2021 Branch Newsletter
Thanks to everyone who attended the AGM at the end of February, it was great to see so many people attend, and a last-minute piece of information about our rules added the adrenaline rush that every good AGM needs! We heard some really important views, and received good challenges on how member information is recorded, which we are in …
February 2021 Branch newsletter
I hope that everyone managed to enjoy the break, and here we are, back at the beginning of a new term, with more of a whimper than a bang. Stewards are currently very busy with casework, and we are pushing the University on a number of issues – workloads and stress continue to be a high priority, …
December 2020 Branch newsletter
Members Themed Discussion – Working from Home and general check-in Thanks to everyone who joined us for this session on 24 Nov 2020. It was upsetting to hear what some people are going through in terms of managing additional workloads, and expectation to hit ‘targets’, amongst other things. UNISON are currently following this up with HR. Notes were circulated …
Branch November 2020 newsletter
We hope you are well at this time, both physically and mentally. With ongoing restrictions and the imminent lockdown do make sure to look after yourself, and others around you. Make sure to take time for yourself, and do take breaks when you need to. If you need any support at work or guidance please do get in …
Joint union statement responding to VC’s start of year message
On 2 Oct 2020 the Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University stated, in his start-of-year message, that the University have been “…working with trade unions to risk assess all that we are doing.” The three campus unions (UCU, UNISON and Unite) cannot support this statement, especially the implication that the trade unions support the University’s current approach …
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Health and Safety Update
On Fri 25th Sep UNISON, Unite and UCU issued a notice of unsatisfactory working conditions to Lancaster University, citing two overall concerns: that the promise that students would receive in-person teaching this term would put staff at increased risk of infection from Covid 19, and the decision to open a number of University buildings to …