Important update: Special Sector conference decision
On 13 September, a special UCU conference of pre-92 branches agreed to seek a resumption of talks with the employers to resolve the USS dispute. If the employers agree to further talks then the union will suspend the current industrial action (work-to-contract) while serious and constructive negotiations are taking place.
The union clarified that its policy is to:
• protect the final salary of existing members;
• derisk USS through the introduction of an acceptable CARE scheme for new entrants;
• close the gap between the value of the CARE and final salary sections by negotiating improvements to the CARE scheme which would secure broad comparability with TPS, including the removal of inflation caps.
UCU nationally has said that it will informed Branches of further developments, especially in regard to any formal suspension of the work-to-contract.
More information about the ASOS is given below
NATIONAL USS DISPUTE - NOTICE OF RESUMPTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION SERVED ON EMPLOYERS (18 June)
Industrial action (Action Short of a Strike) has been resumed following a report to `UCU Congress on the employers' refusal to negotiate on pensions. On 8 June the Higher Education Sector Conference considered a report from UCU negotiators and on on Monday 18 June UCU informed the employers - including Birkbeck - that action short of a strike will resume .
UCU has instructed its members to abide by the terms of their contracts (including their obligation to perform their duties in an efficient manner), but to do no more than that; and in particular to:
(a) work no more than their contracted hours where those hours are expressly stated and in any event not to exceed the maximum hours stipulated by the Working Time Regulations (unless there has been an individual opt-out);
(b) perform no additional voluntary duties, such as out of hours cover, or covering for colleagues (unless such cover is contractually required);
(c) set and mark no work beyond that work which they are contractually obliged to set and/or mark;
(d) attend no meetings where such attendance is voluntary on the part of the member.
note that if your contract does not or could not require you work in the evenings or at weekends you can refuse to work at those times
For more information, see www.ucu.org.uk/circ/pdf/UCUHE155.pdf
You should also have a look at the'defend USS' website http://defenduss.web.ucu.org.uk You can find a list of answers to FAQs here
Above: Birkbeck UCU members (present and future!) on the picket outside Birkbeck's Torrington Square entrance on 30 November 2011
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