[Time constraints at TUC 2023 meant that it was not possible for the chair to take speeches from several unions, for Composite Motion 5. The full text of the motion is here, and I am pleased to report it carried! Below is the text of the speech I would have given in the three minutes … Continue reading #TUC23 speech for motion C05: A tipping point in the climate emergency – we need to act now
What next? Lessons from this year’s 4 Fights Campaign
With around six weeks remaining in our current mandate, and following UCEA's refusal to bring anything new to the table, UCU faces another in a long series of crunch points in our industrial dispute over pay and pay-related conditions. The most immediate choice is whether to reballot now, already significantly behind the timeline set by … Continue reading What next? Lessons from this year’s 4 Fights Campaign
What’s going on, and why did HEC vote against consultation on the disputes?
At the special HEC on Friday 17 March, I voted “against”, in response to the only two questions put to us [HEC results in brackets]: Question 1: Should the proposals agreed with UCEA and UUK relating to the USS and Four Fights disputes be put to UCU HE members in a formal consultation? [For: 19; Against: 22; … Continue reading What’s going on, and why did HEC vote against consultation on the disputes?
#FourFights… Collective bargaining in HE: How it works
A [single pay spine] covers most of the UK Higher Education sector. Annual bargaining rounds have been formalised where, under the banner of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES) five trade unions representing HE staff negotiate over pay and pay related conditions with the employers’ representative body, the Universities and Colleges Employers … Continue reading #FourFights… Collective bargaining in HE: How it works
JNCHES…what is it? How does it relate to pay and conditions bargaining in HE?
Understanding JNCHES (pronounced ‘jinches’) is necessary to understanding how the current Four Fights Dispute fits into yearly bargaining 'rounds' alongside the four other unions which represent staff in higher education. UCU is one of five unions covered by the ‘New JNCHES’ agreement with the employers’ representative body, UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers Association). The agreement … Continue reading JNCHES…what is it? How does it relate to pay and conditions bargaining in HE?
Vicky Blake 