This email was sent to all current members of Lancaster University UNISON branch – 19 Mar 2020
19 March 2020
Dear member
I’m writing to you to update you on the work UNISON are doing at Lancaster Universi`ty with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. A lot of it has been going on behind the scenes over the last week, but as the University is providing more guidance for staff, I wanted to let you know what we have been doing:
- We have been in regular contact with UCU and Unite to ensure that all three campus unions are collaborating to address the issues that are arising across the workforce.
- We have challenged University management on some of the content and timings of communications to staff, and we are now able to feed into this process.
- We have been working on getting access for the unions to decision making processes around the University response to Covid-19.
- We are aware that certain of our members are vulnerable at the moment: ‘high risk’ individuals and those with families who have high-risk individuals, those with caring responsibilities, University ‘front line’ staff, and casual workers, and we have been focussing attention on these groups.
- We are asking the University to ensure that the financial impact on staff of taking sick leave or leave for caring duties during this time will be minimised – we don’t want anyone to be out-of-pocket.
National guidance from UNISON can be found here: https://www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DP_COVID19_17032020&utm_source=Communications&utm_content=You%20can%20find%20our%20latest%20guidance%20on%20our%20website.
UNISON is in frequent contact with HR, and we understand that the University decision-making structure is – like we all are – trying to keep up with a rapidly developing situation.
We want you – our members – to stay as safe as possible. Please let us know if you are experiencing any issues at the University with relation to Covid-19. Please contact us at unison@lancaster.ac.uk if you want to speak to us.
We will be aiming to post regular updates on our website, at: www.lancaster.ac.uk/users/unison
Updates from our AGM in February, and our newsletter, to follow in due course.
Stay safe, and best wishes.
Desna
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Desna Mackenzie
UNISON Branch Secretary – Lancaster University