End of Semester A newsletter
It has been a very busy semester as we have worked to address a host of issues in addition to representing individual members.
- Cost of living payment
The two recognised trade unions UHUCU and Unison campaigned for a payment to be made to staff to address the cost of living crisis. Dr Ed Blissett (UHUCU co-Vice President) co-ordinated the campaign, which was successful. UH agreed to make a cost of living payment to staff at UH8 and below. We believe the amount will be of benefit, especially to the lowest paid who will receive £300.
Agreement on the cost of living payment was reached in August but HR subsequently – and disappointingly – informed us they could not make the payment until January, some five months later. We have made it clear to UH that when collective agreements are reached, they should be implemented without undue delay.
We believe UH could have made a more generous payment. The 23-24 UH financial report shows it made a surplus of £37 million in 22-24, with total income rising by 22% to £419 million in 23-24, and cash, including short-term deposits, now at £139 million. Additionally, expenditure on capital projects rose by 39% in 23-24 whilst expenditure on staff only rose by 10%.
- Redundancy and reorganisation
UHUCU is very concerned at the way in which redundancies have recently been carried out at UH under HR’s guidance. This is a serious issue and consultation is ongoing. We are also continuing to advise members in the Medical/LMS/HSK merger.
- Four week marking turnaround
There has been confusion in some schools about the 4-week marking turnaround period. For the sake of clarity, we have sent members the 2017 agreement between UH and UHUCU (ratified in 2018) giving staff discretion to extend the period. Please note that the only change in the recently updated UPR AS 12 is that staff must now inform the Dean (rather than the Associate Dean) of any extension.
- UH-wide workload system
UHUCU continues to consult on plans to introduce a new UH-wide workload model (to replace the current system of school-specific workload models). We have concerns over the potential consequences of the new model and are keeping a close eye on the current testing process. At the same time, we are aware of worrying evidence from a variety of studies that academic staff are overworked.
- Equate
We continue to consult with UH regarding this cumbersome system and to push for its replacement with a fair and reasonable one. We have presented HR with members’ concerns about the inequity of decision making and the disability-unfriendly forms, which UH have agreed to simplify and ensure equity.
- Safe storage/Hotdesking
Negotiations with management continue as we attempt to obtain office space/storage facilities for staff. Members continue to contact us concerned at the loss of these facilities. Please continue to do so.
- Ceasefire in Palestine workplace days of action
UHUCU supported the two workplace days of action, called by national UCU, held on 10 October and 28 November. We distributed leaflets and engaged in discussion with students and staff at College Lane. See the photo below of the November event.
- Finally, a request from the University of Hertfordshire Refugee Support Group
The University of Hertfordshire Refugee Support Group is planning to visit Calais in March 2025. Partnering with Care4Calais, it aims to distribute clothes, tents, and warm drinks to displaced individuals in the area. To help fund the upcoming trip, it has created a fundraising page: JustGiving – UH Refugee Support Group.
We wish all our members a very happy Christmas and new year break!
Keith Seed
UHUCU co-Vice President
Dragan Plavsic
UHUCU Branch Secretary
