{"id":238,"date":"2020-11-06T09:25:07","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T09:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lancaster.ac.uk\/users\/unison\/?p=238"},"modified":"2021-02-11T14:00:40","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T14:00:40","slug":"branch-november-2020-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lancaster.ac.uk\/users\/unison\/branch-november-2020-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Branch November 2020 newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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 touch with us at unison@lancaster.ac.uk<\/a>.
 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In solidarity,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hannah Monaghan <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications Officer <\/p>\n\n\n\n

unison@lancaster.ac.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.lancaster.ac.uk\/users\/unison\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

— <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Lockdown\u2019<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time to take a moment to acknowledge our members who are continuing to go into work on campus, working face-to-face with students and other staff. Over the last few weeks we\u2019ve been in touch with members who are cleaners, Colleges staff, Sports Centre staff, Porters, following up a number of concerns regarding Health & Safety and working arrangements. As the second national \u2018lockdown\u2019 began at midnight tonight, it is a good opportunity to remind members working on campus that if you feel unsafe, or become aware of any health and safety concerns, please let us know and we will support you. You can contact us at unison@lancaster.ac.uk<\/a> or via the Members\u2019 Team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your membership details<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please take a moment to check that your membership details are correct!<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so much going on at the moment, it’s more important than ever that you keep your details up to date, so that you receive all the correct communications from UNISON. Some information can only be sent to you by post, so make sure we have your current postal address.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you wish to have your say in the latest pay consultation<\/a> you will need to make sure your details are correct. It’s also really helpful for us to have up-to-date information on where our members are employed (e.g. which part of the university), in case there is an issue that affects your particular role. You can update your details by logging in to MyUnison<\/a>. You will need your membership number, which you can find at the top of the emails we send you from the branch (including this one)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also really important that you update your salary band. If you need legal support from UNISON, you will need to be paying the correct level of subscription fees before any help can be provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update on Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS)<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest numbers from those who applied for VSS show that there were 197 applications, of which 151 were Professional Services Staff and 46 from academic staff. UNISON have asked for a further breakdown, and have been told this could take a couple of weeks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you expressed an interest in the VSS, HR will be sending an update to you, with a final decision expected by the end of December\/beginning of the New Year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regards to the furlough extension<\/a> announcement by the government, we understand that the University is planning to implement this and using the flexi-furlough option as well. If you have any questions about furloughing, please get in touch with us via unison@lancaster.ac.uk<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community Covid-19 testing centre at Lancaster Sports Centre<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A testing facility for Covid-19<\/a> has been set up on campus. Those that have symptoms and require a test can be directed there, as per the government websites. Attendance is by appointment only, and it will not operate as a walk in.
 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workloads and stress<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNISON authored and presented a joint union paper at the October Communication and Consultation Meeting (CCM). This called for HR to investigate possible increased workloads and stress resulting from vacancy control and more latterly furloughing. We believe that this work should encompass quantitative data on staff absences and <\/strong>qualitative data relating to the experiences of our members. There could therefore be the chance for members to feed into this work and we will keep them updated. We ended our paper by noting that if staff are experiencing increased stress due to too much work, there are only two solutions: 1) hire more staff; 2) ask current staff to do less work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondment advice<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are aware that some managers have recently turned down secondment requests because they are concerned the posts won’t be backfilled. We have brought this up with HR, and subsequently a recent manager briefing encouraged managers to approve secondment applications whenever possible and said the vacancy control panel would look favourably on managers trying to backfill secondment posts. The wording from the managers brief was \u2018Where possible managers should support and encourage staff to pursue secondment opportunities as career development opportunities. Where a replacement is required, managers should include this in the justification to Vacancy control panel who will positively consider this as part of the replacement decision making process\u2019<\/em>. Please do contact us if you have any questions regarding secondments.
 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labour Link \u2013 upcoming events<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This November Labour Link are bringing members together in the only way we can, online! Traditionally, this is the time for our annual Regional Conference but circumstances mean we have had to cancel the event this year. So in its place we present North West Connected<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 28th November 9.30am \u2013 5pm<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A full day of speeches, discussion, policy forums, and more to keep members connected and give you the opportunity to discuss the tumultuous year we have had. Including an election rally to get us fired up for the important local elections next May. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speakers including: <\/strong>Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy, Shadow Local Government Secretary Steve Reed, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a free event taking place on Zoom. You just need to register below and the links to join the session will be sent to you by email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morning session 9.30am \u2013 1pm. Afternoon session 2pm-5pm.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lancashire Labour are also producing a Manifesto for 2021.Thank you for all your responses to the Manifesto questionnaire identifying the aims and actions needed to improve and protect your public services right across Lancashire. These excellent responses from the first consultation round of the Lancashire Labour Group Manifesto 2021 resulted in a 108-page document. This has now been fully considered and has enabled Shadow Cabinet Members and their teams to produce Draft 2 of the Lancashire Labour Group Manifesto 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manifesto Time Table <\/p>\n\n\n\n