Apologies: PB
1. Save Middlesex Philosophy Campaign (Anindya Bhattacharyya aka Bat)
About 2-3 weeks ago, management decided that it was going to shut down the
Philosophy Dept. because it was not 'making a measurable contribution to
the university'. We think this is part of a wider assault on the
humanities, particularly in post-92 institutions – and are concerned that
a restructuring of education so that you can study Philosophy at elite institutions, but that all mature students or minority students will get will
be vocational training, and Middlesex will be a brand to validate business
degrees. The initial reaction was shock and despondency, but there was a
huge wave of solidarity that galvanised support, with a petition and a
Facebook group that reached 10,000 within days, and letters of support, as
well as coverage in the academic, local and national press. Students
occupied admin offices for 10 days and organised a series of teach-ins and
educational events. We're now looking for people to write letters to the
board and management: details at: http://savemdxphil.com/
What is significant was that students and staff worked together; we're also trying to make connections with other universities.
Discussion:
- 3 Goldsmiths departments have written statements of support for the
campaign.
- It's not only university management; the HEFCE funding policies
themselves are responsible. The Middlesex situation proves that getting a
high RAE score is no insurance against cuts – and that management will use
any excuse to make cuts.
- Des asked to investigate possibility of greylisting Middlesex.
Motion: 'This branch gives its full support to the Save Middlesex
Philosophy campaign'. Unanimously agreed.
2. 2010 Negotiations (Rodger Kibble)
There was a briefing meeting on 28 April. This was followed by another
negotiation meeting on 5 May at which no progress was made. Another
meeting on 28 May is scheduled. We are being offered 0.4% as a one-off
payment (i.e. not pensionable), which is a pay cut in real terms. To add
insult to injury, we were asked to distribute the cut amongst ourselves.
UCEA said they have no mandate for an agreement on jobs, and that it's an
individual institutional matter.
This is unacceptable. We need to make sure membership records are accurate in the event of a ballot, and we need to campaign with sister unions.
Discussion:
- Congress will be crucial to building the mood.
- UAL voted to take industrial action.
- The fees report is coming out in a couple of weeks, and Budget Day is 22
June. We need to think about timing and how to co-ordinate campaigns on
all these issues.
Action points:
- Organise a general meeting on the 1st/2nd week of June.
- Reps to tell KF of any changes to membership in their departments.
3. Update on Pensions (Ed Randall)
This was supposed to be the end of the JNC on pensions; then the day
before, union members and the independent chair received a 129 page
document. They want a decision on the 7th of July. They are proposing
that those currently on the USS scheme will remain on the final salary
scheme, but new entrants will be on CARE (career averaging), which means
newcomers will lose out. USS has faced many challenges, but is a strong
scheme and has been very well managed. There are lots of new people coming
in, and will continue to do so for 15-20 years at least.
The employers ignored our proposals. Terms cannot be implemented unless both parties agree, with one exception: if the independent chair can be swayed. This is why everyone needs to vote in the Consultative ballot. We need to get people to participate, support the union's negotiating position, and call for serious discussion on negotiations.
Motion on USS pensions passed unanimously.
Action points:
Some people haven't received Sally Hunt's email. KF has
contacted Campaigns about sending out a mass email (which would list each
individual's membership number). If this doesn't work KF will forward the
email from HQ (done).
4. Report back from JNCC (Des Freedman)
VSS redundancy offer increased to 6 months. There is language about
workload implications as one of the criteria, but the final version is yet
to be agreed. We need to monitor the situation: how it will impact on
members, and who is accepted for the scheme, and we need accountability
when people are turned down.
5. AOB: Closure to 2 MA programmes in PACE
2 MA programs are funded externally and will not run next year. One full-time member of staff will be affected, and 20+ associate tutors.
Any questions? email us at gucu-admin@gold.ac.uk.
