(.doc)EXEC MEETING MINUTES Apologies: NF, DF, DM
1. Report on Pensions (Ed Randall)
There have been 2 meetings of the national group of Pension reps USS Negotiations have almost concluded. Sir Andrew Cubie would like the process to be completed and is sympathetic to the UCU perspective. There is a move (from employers) towards an average rather than a final salary model, which is to save money; UCU is resisting that. In the case of a deficit, employers will pick up the extra cost. The situation will become clearer in 3-4 weeks. There are 5-6 weeks for the deadline for public announcements. Employers also have a duty to consult with staff. The deficit is currently quite modest, and our scheme is one of the strongest in the country.
2. Report back from Staff on Casual Contracts annual meeting
The meeting was well attended, but there were surprisingly few postgraduate employees present. Alex Callinicos spoke on HE cuts. Motions were adopted to call for more recruiting/organising of casualised staff, and to clarify pay and working hours. KF attended a workshop on the Part-Time Employment legislation; a report on how universities are implementing this legislation will be out soon. There was also discussion of how to better recruit/organise VTs at Goldsmiths. Facebook and other online tools was suggested, as it is difficult to physically bring together VTs for meetings.
3. Report back from JNCC Trust Schools:
No decision taken (and won't be until after the new warden takes up his post). Catering contract gone out to tender; the London Living Wage is part of it Policies/Procedures: Disciplinary agreed. Grievance – agreed in principle but there are issues on time limits - HR to come back with proposals. Well-being: We flagged up issues (such as workplace stress especially in IT). Pay Forum will disband on 16th of March; the VT working party will continue with the VT issues. The College is also going to tender 2-3 companies to do a pay equality survey, which will then be taken up by JNC. We need to nominate someone to work with them on this (possibly at the branch meeting). 'Soft Services': The College is trying to privatise/outsource part of the porters' work to a private security company; Unison is taking this on and we are supporting them on this. Nothing new on the College's finances or possible redundancies. Nothing new on time off to train. HR is coming back on this including possible guidance re training discussions via PDRs. Reprographics: The College is getting advice on how to make it more viable and to keep it in-house. Nursery: If the Nursery is to remain viable, it needs to find a way to take more 3-year olds. Alison Ahern is working on this.
3. Recognition Agreement:
We wanted to include 'allocation of work duties' as part of negotiations. HR agreed to consultation (with the acknowledgement that this can been negotiated if necessary). MM to clarify entitlement to spend money on office supplies and equipment.
4. General Meeting on Thursday.
Because they have a rally on that day, The Leeds speaker will be calling on Skype; KF to send out a reminder email pointing this out. Discuss the pensions issue, as many people will have concerns about this. KF has checked with Ed Randall and he's not available. Suggest people get involved as reps and caseworkers. Ask for volunteers to work on the equality pay audit. KF to bring along a list of UCU training courses and deadlines. Suggest a committee to campaign against local and national HE cuts and co-ordinate solidarity with other branches.
5. Motions (deadline 19 March) To be discussed over email.
6. PBSI Campaign leaflets:
Ask DF to co-ordinate feedback and amendments within a 10-day framework; tell the SU to do it without our name if they need to publicise earlier *point of contention: register boycotts. Suggest amendment to point out that we will take registers for pastoral purposes but do not want the information to be passed on to UKBA. DF will also show the leaflet to Chris Nicholas (Equality Unit, UCU HQ).
7. Noticeboard
The History department wants us to move our noticeboard so they can put 'digital signage' there. We won't agree to this. MM has written Carol Granger to inform her of this.
8. Health and Safety Survey
The Wellbeing Working Group recommends HR hoping to do a stress survey of all staff through Psychology (Frank Bond and John Gruzelier); questionnaires to be out by April. HR hoping that the SMT will approve it. We will be able to see the survey questions as soon as they are ready. Contact person: Rodi Bristow-Jones.
For an archive of older meetings, look here.
Any questions? email us at gucu-admin@gold.ac.uk.
