University of Manchester
University and College Union

The UCU

• is a democratic association committed to improving the working life of all members and committed to maintaining academic freedom
• represents all academic and related staff (teachers, professors, administrative staff of all grades, researchers, computer and library staff and postgraduates, both full time and part time).
• protects your interests and takes up individual grievences with your employer.
• campaigns on your behalf for improved quality of education and research, salaries, conditions and pensions.
• gives high priority to equality and diversity issues. It has four national groups for women, BME, disability and LGBT and each holds an annual conference to which Manchester UCU sends representatives.
• has a number of special interest groups for staff such as computer staff, fixed-term non-research lecturers,and contract researchers, at both local and national levels.

Notices

• Fund our Future - Stop the Cuts in Education: The NUS and UCU will be holding a national demonstration on Wednesday 10th November, for more information please see http://fundourfuture.org.uk/
• Pensions: Michael MacNeil, UCU's National Head of Higher Education, has sent an email letter (http://www.umucu.org.uk/ucu/MichaelMacNeilEmailLetterToUSSHEIs05Aug2010.pdf) to the heads of all universities and other institutions whose employees are USS members. The letter explains UCU's objections to the planned changes to USS and suggests how industrial action can be avoided.
• Voluntary Severance and Increased Flexible Working: The scheme has now been extended to 29th October 2010.
• UMUCU Executive Committee passed a motion of support for UCU members at Manchester College in their dispute with management (and industrial action) concerning imposition of unfavourable contracts of employment and derecognition of UCU. See the motion here: http://www.umucu.org.uk/ucu/ManchesterCollegeMotion7-7-10.pdf
• Pensions: USS released a statement following the meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee. In a press release on 8 July 2010, UCU said industrial action was inevitable if pension changes are forced through. The Employers Pension Forum (EPF) also sent out a press release.
  
• UMUCU Ballot Result on the Final Agreement for Pay and Grading.
  Of the 1902 papers sent out, 596 were received back; a 31% return.
  "Do you support the proposed agreement on the final implementation of the new pay and grading structure?"
  The votes cast were: Yes: 460 No: 136
  Therefore, UMUCU members are in support of the Agreement.
• A day in the life of UCU: this is what we do:
  http://youtu.be/u4TCWLd6c1M
• Voluntary Severance and Increased Flexible Working The University introduced a new Voluntary Severance Scheme and related increased Flexible Working proposals on 30 April 2010. The formal UMUCU Executive position was communicated to senior management during meetings on 24 March and 15, 21, 26 April 2010. Details of UMUCU's stance and an account of the meetings can be found on: http://www.umucu.org.uk/VS-IFW_update.pdf . The presentation shown at the open information meeting on 12 May 2010 can be found here.
• The 'Ulster and Aberdeen Cases': Employment Tribunal Determinations Little case law has so far been established for cases brought under the Fixed Term Work Regulations 2002. Read the Ulster and Aberdeen rulings to see how the Tribunal judged this particular situation.