May 17
We’d like to give you an update on an issue that we think is becoming very critical in recent months: the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We’re sure all of you know how complicated this issue is and we know that many of you have different opinions and concerns as to these complexities, the long held …
Jul 03
Dear UCU members, We write with reference to the email sent by the Director of HR Alison Ross-Green to all staff today. We are disappointed by both the tone and content of the email. It misrepresents our position by blaming UCU for the failure to agree to the Pay Freeze and the Reward Strategy. UCU …
May 04
Dear University of Kent UCU members, There is a very important Joint Staff Negotiating and Consultative Commitee (JSNCC) meeting coming up on Tuesday 12th May. Papers are now available on this website (you need to open the 12 May 2020 tab), though some papers are (currently) only available to members of the JSNCC: https://www.kent.ac.uk/hr-staffinformation/jsncc/index.html?tab=papers-meeting-minutes You …
May 01
Dear University of Kent UCU members, Our local strike fund is available to support you, if you need it, where industrial action has reduced your pay. Even if you have already claimed, you may be able to make a further claim to the local fund. Please read the details of what you …
May 01
Dear colleagues, Please read these messages (this one, and the one below) carefully before making either local or national strike fund claims. We have had several claims recently that weren’t to the right fund. Please note that autumn and spring strikes are all considered together – one action, one dispute, one ballot. Please specify in …
Jan 09
In 2020 UCU will be holding a week of action against workplace racism starting on 10th February 2020. The theme is ‘building an anti-racist environment’. We ask members to support the national campaign and we canvass views from colleagues about ways to promote the week at Kent. Please contact Mark Dean (g.m.dean@kent.ac.uk) in the first …
Oct 18
Dear University of Kent UCU members, At our last branch meeting we did not have enough members present to pass the hardship and boycott motions on the agenda. We also now have the JSNCC papers to discuss (see our emails earlier this week), so we will hold an emergency branch meeting at 1pm on Monday …
Oct 09
Dear University of Kent UCU members, We updated you last month on why we had a Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) consultation going on while awaiting the Joint Expert Panel (JEP) report. That report is now available and contains lots of positive information. http://www.ussjep.org.uk/report-of-the-joint-expert-panel/ http://www.ussjep.org.uk/files/2018/09/report-of-the-joint-expert-panel.pdf A copy of the executive summary and the full report are …
Sep 12
Dear University of Kent UCU members, You may be wondering why we now have a consultation over USS which proposes very large increases in contributions, both for employees and employers? What is going on? We hope this email helps explain. We are currently fighting on two fronts: pay claim (see earlier email) and the USS …
Sep 12
We urge you to use your vote, and to vote for industrial action in relation to our pay claim. Here are the reasons why (all national figures taken from UCU’s main website; local figures are taken from Kent’s Financial Statements for 2017 at page 51): https://www.kent.ac.uk/finance/about/accounts/accounts20162017.pdf• Since 2009, our salaries have failed to keep up …