UCU - Pensions and Pay Disputes

[Jeff Robinson]

BTW any UCU members waiting for information from the USS trustee's board meeting yesterday before voting - good luck with that.


Couldn't have a better example of why this "deal" needs to be rejected.

(aqua, BoatieBird, SpackleFrog, PursuedByBears, Jeff Robinson, Benjamin F, redcogs )

I didn’t need any further reason to vote to reject anyhow.

 

[PursuedByBears]

I voted reject too. I think the results will be out after 2pm tomorrow, is that right?

 

[redsquirrel]

I didn’t need any further reason to vote to reject anyhow.

DIdn't think you would, but just thought I bring it to peoples attention.

I voted reject too. I think the results will be out after 2pm tomorrow, is that right?

That's my understanding but considering the shitness of the communication from national office who knows.

 

[PursuedByBears]

The result was as follows:

Total balloted: 53,415
Total votes cast: 33,973
Total number valid votes: 33,913
Turnout: 63.5%

Yes to accept the UUK offer 21,683 (64%)
No to reject the UUK offer 12,230 (36%)

 

[Santino]

Absolute shower

 

[redsquirrel]

Depressing but not unexpected. Chalk up another loss for union members due to crap reactionary leadership.

About only (small) positive I can see is that at the branch level there's been something of a mobilisation against Hunt. Hopefully that will continue, but it's small beer.

 

[sihhi]

It makes the whole thing seem farcical.

 

[cybershot]

What a complete waste of time, and lost money.

 

[aqua]

What a complete waste of time, and lost money.

Totally this

 

[teuchter]

I don't think it's a waste of time at all unless, if the review process still fails to turn out a good enough deal, the willingness to take further action at that point doesn't materialise.

By the way my friend i mentioned earlier came down on the "reject" side in the end and was expecting the result to go that way.

 

[redsquirrel]

Between 5 and 13 branches* now calling for a HESC meeting (in a attempt to push a harder line and more democracy inside the union). Needs to be 20 branches for it to go forward.

*UCU website has five up

• Queen's University Belfast
• University of Liverpool
• Keele University
• University of Sheffield
• Newcastle University

But other branches have also stated they have passed such a motion, an alternative count is

• Dundee
• Edinburgh
• Exeter
• Keele
• Kent
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• Newcastle
• QMUL
• QUB
• Salford
• UCL
• Sheffield

(and with Goldsmiths and KCL to come).

BTW if people are thinking about trying to get such a motion passed at their branch make sure you use the same wording as the above branches did otherwise it doesn't count against the tally.

 

[SpackleFrog]

There's a late motion to Congress from Sheffield calling for a member led review of UCU's democratic structures. If people were minded they could raise this in their branches and demand their delegates support it.

 

[Wilf]

How many of youse are going to congress? After 25 years in the job I took the plunge to become a rep - didn't want to rush it. Any good left fringe meetings, particularly around democratisation?

 

[redsquirrel]

Most of the events of that kind see to be this weekend (and in London)
- A Union Transformed
- UCU Rank and File Meeting

I've only just started at a new uni so I doubt I'll be off to congress. But good luck and enjoy yourself Wilf, and give Hunt and the IBL wankers a kick up the backside.

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On a another note meant to post this earlier (crossthebreeze reminded me) - IWGB workers at the University of London have been on strike the last two days. Gave total solidarity with the UCU strikes and on appalling pay. Strike fund details here and here.

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Also good luck to the comrades at Hull College, Bradford College and Kirklees College branches that are going on strike/balloting.

 

[redsquirrel]

UCU leadership and UUK setting terms of reference in secret and with confidentiality. In addition, UCU leadership insisting that much of the HEC is confidential. Unfortunately for them someones leaked the details here

 

[SpackleFrog]

How many of youse are going to congress? After 25 years in the job I took the plunge to become a rep - didn't want to rush it. Any good left fringe meetings, particularly around democratisation?

I'll be at Congress - there is a UCU Left fringe on the Wednesday night.

 

[redsquirrel]

FWIW (probably very little) petition to change the terms of JEP

 

[Wilf]

I'll be at Congress - there is a UCU Left fringe on the Wednesday night.

Was just at the reception and there was genuine applause at the president 's reference to great progress in the uss.

 

[Pickman's model]

Was just at the reception and there was genuine applause at the president 's reference to great progress in the uss.

and when they stopped the tape?

 

[redsquirrel]

Was just at the reception and there was genuine applause at the president 's reference to great progress in the uss.

President or Gen Sec? (Both bloody useless mind).

 

[Wilf]

President or Gen Sec? (Both bloody useless mind).

President - de groot.

 

[Wilf]

On phone so I'm not going to type much. Anyay congress suspended twice today due to challenges to Sally hunt. She' a member of unite and has seen ucu officers who are unite members walk out for her. Announced that unite members are in a trade dispute with ucu! It' all uss fallout and, inevitably, an ill game.

 

[redsquirrel]

On phone so I'm not going to type much. Anyay congress suspended twice today due to challenges to Sally hunt.

No doubt with de Groot's assistance. A pox on the IBL wankers.
Absolute fucking joke.

Any idea on what's going to happen today?

EDIT: Apparently just put on hold

 

[redsquirrel]

BTW anyone got any information on when the HESC is going to be? I know the original intention was to append it onto Congress but I don't think 20 branches passed motions in time.

EDIT: Just found it. 21st June

Even more important now to make sure Hunt, de Groot and the rest get a kicking at it.

 

[redsquirrel]

There's a late motion to Congress from Sheffield calling for a member led review of UCU's democratic structures. If people were minded they could raise this in their branches and demand their delegates support it.

BTW, good work on getting your motion passed.

 

[redsquirrel]

(Decent) Statement from KCL delegates about their experience of congress.
And the usual batshit stupidity from the Morning Star.

COMMUNISTS attending UCU’s annual conference criticised “unfortunate developments” in which ultra-left elements have leaked disputes in the union to the press.

The statement composed by CPB members expressed “outrage” at the “negative publicity in the media generated by ultra-left elements in the union” over “unfortunate developments in a private session” during the conference’s first day.

It has been widely reported that Socialist Workers Party and anarchist members of the union had attempted to force the resignation of general secretary Sally Hunt, prompting a walkout by Unite staff.

Criticising the “tactical insanity” and “opportunism” of the manoeuvres, the statement said that these attacks can “only do damage” to the union when negotiations are ongoing.

“Feelings are running high on all sides, including among staff who feel under attack from a minority of activists attempting to wrest control of the union.

“It is vital to rebuild fighting unity and to address union democracy in a disciplined way.”

 

[Wilf]

Just come away from the congress. Sorry, just a very quick update. Today began with another vote to keep the votes of censure and no confidence on the agenda. Which was won. As soon as the first of these was put, unite staff and the chair (Joanna De Groot) walked out again. They then announced lunch would be taken with a 1.20 restart. However the whole leadership refused to come back in then and the legal guy (Cotterill?) came and announced the congress was off.

After that about 2/3 of the congress stayed and discussed events, though they refused to put the sound system back on. Agreed a statement of disgust about the whole thing. Earlier there was agreement for a 1 day conference to do the missed business, though I imagine the exec will simply refuse to enact that. The gen secretary was due to speak at a tuc event at 3.00 and pulled out of that also. Just one sentence on the politics of this: this wasn't just the swp/unite left. Plenty of delegates were appalled at what went on.

 

[Wilf]

(Decent) Statement from KCL delegates about their experience of congress.
And the usual batshit stupidity from the Morning Star.

batshit indeed.

 

[aqua]

I don't understand this I'll be honest. I don't get what there is to benefit from from the events this week. Why did they walk out? What's all the stuff about unite and employment issues and people's children being affected? I must have missed the memo where our children weren't affected by the strike action or by the reductions in pensions. Maybe I'm just too stupid.

 

[redsquirrel]

Just come away from the congress. Sorry, just a very quick update. Today began with another vote to keep the votes of censure and no confidence on the agenda. Which was won. As soon as the first of these was put, unite staff and the chair (Joanna De Groot) walked out again. They then announced lunch would be taken with a 1.20 restart. However the whole leadership refused to come back in then and the legal guy (Cotterill?) came and announced the congress was off.

After that about 2/3 of the congress stayed and discussed events, though they refused to put the sound system back on. Agreed a statement of disgust about the whole thing. Earlier there was agreement for a 1 day conference to do the missed business, though I imagine the exec will simply refuse to enact that. The gen secretary was due to speak at a tuc event at 3.00 and pulled out of that also. Just one sentence on the politics of this: this wasn't just the swp/unite left. Plenty of delegates were appalled at what went on.

Absolutely amazing. Thanks for the update. You wonder what's going to happen at the HESC at the end of June (and if I'm reading the motions correctly there's another one called for September).

Need members to pass motions called for GS + president to resign, or if you can't get that up at least censured, before the HESC.