YORK UCU
PENSIONS DISPUTE
Bulletin no 2
12 November 2014
We thought that members would appreciate an update on various developments since the last bulletin. Things keep moving on both the local and national fronts and we want everyone to be informed and aware.
Exchanges with our VC
As you know the VC responded to the open letter signed by over 500 York academics by [1] saying that management would “reconsider” the threat to deduct 100% of our pay for part performance; [2] suggesting that UCU might engage in discussion with management to explore whether both parties might agree on some shared approach to the reform of USS.
The branch executive responded by welcoming such a discussion, but that two conditions would need to be met in order for it to proceed in good faith. The first of these was the withdrawal of the threat of 100% pay deductions, and the second was the withdrawal of the factually incorrect allegation that the industrial action was “premature” because negotiations had only just begun (the record shows that negotiation over the reform of USS goes back many months).
We asked for a response by the end of Monday so that we could report to the branch meeting being held on Tuesday. On Tuesday morning we received a response stating that the 100% threat would be considered in the (unspecified) near future and refusing to withdraw the allegation about “premature” action. So the hard line is being maintained.
In parallel with that letter to the VC, the branch executive posed a number of specific questions to the VC, the Registrar, and the Director of HR concerning the threatening letter of 29 October. Members should note that HR has offered a response which merely reaffirms but does not clarify the original threat of 100% deductions.
Branch meeting 11 November 2014
Over 60 members came to hear our national Head of Bargaining and Negotiations, Michael MacNeil, lay out the context of the dispute and update us on developments. Members asked questions and the meeting then carried the following motions:
[1] requesting the national officers of UCU to initiate a campaign of censure and academic boycott of the University of York in the light of York management choosing to be one of only 8 or 9 institutions in the UK who have threatened to deduct 100% of the pay of those participating in our boycott;
[2] supporting the principle that all UCU members at York should show their solidarity with the boycott by a 100% withdrawal of our labour; the motion tasked the branch executive with exploring both the feasibility and the possible forms of this action, in order to ensure maximum impact and effectiveness; the motion sought national support for such action; it also stressed the importance of explaining to our students that the 100% withdrawal of our labour has been caused by management intransigence.
Following up on these decisions, the branch executive today sent off our request for the academic censure and boycott campaign. We also decided to survey members to find out the form of 100% withdrawal of labour which they think will be the most effective demonstration of solidarity with the boycott, which by its nature works in a fragmented and isolating way.
We are launching a Survey Monkey consultation running from noon on Friday 14th November until noon the following Tuesday. We are inviting members to express their preference between [a] a single one day strike; [b] an indefinite strike; [c] a rolling programme starting with a one day strike the first week, continuing with a two day strike the following week etc. We urge ALL members to let us know their views which will be completely confidential. We anticipate that we may wish to co-ordinate our action with that of the other institutions which are also facing a hawkish management.
Members’ queries
Your branch executive is responding as quickly as we can to individual queries. We are happy to discuss difficult cases in order to support members while maintaining the boycott as we need to do. Please feel free to contact us with your concerns.
As result of various queries we have been able to arrive at an improved version of the wording which we advise members to use when informing management about their involvement in the boycott. This has already been sent out as a separate message and is repeated here:
I wish to declare that I am in principle supporting the current boycott of assessment and marking. I shall notify you of the details of my active participation hereafter at the appropriate time.
We recommend that you send this message to Paula Tunbridge, Deputy Head of HR, rather than using the online form which does not allow for any nuance.
We have the right to do this
Remember that our employers are divided, both locally and nationally.
Remember that our action is helping to ensure that views other than those of the ’official’ UUK position can be discussed.
Remember that our protest is evidence of our professional regard for the present and future quality of what we do.
Acting within the law, with dignity and with resolve, we are being professional.
Hold firm. Stay involved and support one another
This is not Lambert’s Mill. This is not the year 1814. Unlike those mill-hands, we have the right to do this.