Our next Branch General Meeting will take place on Thurs 16 Jul 2020, 12:30-13:30 via Teams. Paperwork and link to the meeting has been circulated to members via email.
For newer members, this is a formal, minuted, decision-making meeting that is a little different to the informal meetings that most of you have attended previously.
Our Branch General Meetings usually have a themed discussion. This meeting the theme is the culture of bullying at Lancaster University. From well before Covid-19 all unions have seen an increase in members requiring support re bullying in the workplace, and having brought concerns to University management, the University’s bullying and harassment policy is currently being audited. We’re really interested in a broad discussion about how to challenge a workplace culture that enables bullying to take place, and to understand why individuals don’t feel able to bring formal grievances about bullying. We recognise that this is a really difficult topic for many of you, but would ask that you don’t raise individual cases in the discussion, and if you’re currently experiencing bullying at work, please contact us at unison@lancaster.ac.uk for individualised support.
Other Updates
UNISON members Team
Following some positive feedback at our informal ‘virtual’ members’ meetings, we have decided to set up a Lancaster University UNISON members Team (we know, yet another Team!) but hopefully this is one you will find useful and enjoyable. It’s a chance to talk to other members, get to know more about the local branch, and to have regular informal meetings where we can catch up on anything you like, and answer any queries you may have. The Team will be restricted to UNISON members – an invite and ‘housekeeping rules’ will be circulated via email.
Voluntary contributions survey
We know that you will all be keen to hear the outcome of this survey. We have been informed that approx. 1150 people completed the survey, but at this moment in time we don’t have any further information. We will let you know when we know more.
Fixed Term Contracts & Casual Working Policy
Negotiations with the University re the implementation of this policy are slowly progressing. We know that roles that are advertised after 1 Aug 2020 will not be fixed term contracts (unless they meet stringent criteria in the policy). We are pushing for staff currently on fixed term contracts to be moved to indefinite contracts as quickly as possible. Further conversations will be taking place with HR and we will keep you updated on these.
Furlough
As previously announced, salary for those on furlough remains 100% throughout July, but reduces to 80% from 1st Aug 2020.
We are aware that this may negatively affect many people with caring responsibilities, health vulnerabilities or who are shielding household members, and who would find it extremely difficult to return to work for these reasons. We are continuing to discuss with the University how this staff group can be protected from the changes to furlough salary. As ever, please contact us if you have any concerns about being furloughed.
Health & Safety
We are working really hard to keep up with the constant flow of risk assessments as various areas of the University continue to ‘open up’, and ensuring that a return to campus will be as safe as possible for everyone. We can’t keep an eye on it all though – so if you are aware of any issues or unsafe practices (Covid-19 related or not) affecting you or your team, please let us know. If any of you are interested on taking on a H&S representative role, we’d love to talk to you!
Welfare
Don’t forget the branch have a welfare scheme which can help if you are struggling. If you want to find out more, please visit our website, or email us. The whole process is very light-touch.