Following the email to members last week, UNISON have been involved in ongoing conversations with Lancaster University, Unite and UCU in order to reassure staff that their health and safety is being prioritised, and that they won’t be out of pocket during the current pandemic.
This has resulted in the joint statement below being issued, today, 27 Mar 2020. We are also encouraged that the University is supporting those staff who are able, and want to, to volunteer to support the remaining students on campus, and also initiatives in the wider community.
Our work responding to Covid-19 continues – we are responding to members’ queries and issues in regard to the new working arrangements. Please continue to keep us up to date with any issues you might be experiencing at: unison@lancaster.ac.uk.
A massive thank you to those of our members who are still on the ‘frontline’ on campus, doing highly risky work and in regular contact with students and others.
Joint Management/Union Statement on Coronavirus (Covid-19)
In such unprecedented times the University Leadership Team and Trade Unions acknowledge the importance of working together to support the working environment and conditions of all staff members.
Throughout this period of immense disruption, University management and the three recognised Trade Unions – UCU, UNISON and Unite – are meeting regularly, prioritising your welfare and aiming to ensure that staff do not suffer financially as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
We have jointly agreed the following:
- The University has approved an extended period of paid leave for all staff when they cannot work due to circumstances relating to Covid-19. This extension will continue until further notice and will be kept under review by management and the Unions as this situation evolves.
- We are committed to exploring how best to apply the Government’s new “Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme” announced by the Chancellor this week to help support casual workers and those on fixed term contracts impacted during the coronavirus outbreak. Lancaster University will aim to ensure that staff are able to retain 100% of their contractual pay.
- Additionally, the University is developing/establishing a Staff Hardship scheme for staff members facing financial hardship due to the impact of Covid-19. We jointly agree to ensure that this hardship scheme will support staff experiencing hardship who may not be covered by the Government scheme. Further details will be announced shortly.
- Where there is a need for additional staffing to deliver essential services, this will be achieved through redeployment of existing staff, including those on fixed-term contracts that are due to come to an end during the pandemic period. This situation will be reviewed when the pandemic is over.
- Discussions between the Trade Unions, HR and University Leadership are being scheduled to discuss whether any ongoing or planned restructures need pausing.
Please note that sickness absence should continue to be reported in line with normal provisions, particularly as the University needs to keep a record of all absences related to Covid-19 for reporting purposes. However, absences related to the virus will not be counted when considering absence management or sick pay entitlement in the future.
The health, safety and wellbeing of staff is paramount to us, and it is important that we all take time out from work, especially given the pressures caused by the current situation. Please therefore continue to take and book leave as normal. We are conscious that many individuals’ travel plans will have been disrupted, should you need to cancel or rearrange your annual leave, please discuss this as normal with your line manager.
Please be assured that we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its impact and working in partnership to do all we can to protect the health and wellbeing of our University community and reassure our staff. Further information on all of the above, along with regular updates to reflect the latest advice is available on the staff Intranet under FAQs. Those staff who are delivering essential on- campus services should also expect direct communication from the University shortly to provide guidance and support relating to their personal health, safety and welfare.
We appreciate that these are extremely difficult and uncertain times for you and your families and thank you for your understanding at this challenging time.
University Leadership Team, UCU, UNISON and Unite
27 March 2020