LU UNISON Newsletter 28 Sep 2020

Dear Members

We hope you are well, and have managed to take some form of break over the summer. Here’s the latest newsletter from the Lancaster University branch of UNISON. This has been emailed out to members, along with minutes from our Branch General Meeting on 17 Sep 2020, and the anonymised summary from our members’ themed discussion on 8 Sep 2020. 

Hannah Monaghan, Communications Officer

Dates for your diary 

  • Members’ themed discussion on University ‘cost savings’ – 14 Oct 2020, 10:00-11:00 via Teams 
  • Branch General Meeting – Thurs 10th Dec 2020 11:30-12:30, via Teams 

Invites will be emailed to members and meetings will be posted in the Members’ Team. 

Returning to work on campus – update from Callum Forsyth, Unison Health & Safety Officer 

I want to give you all an update on how we’ve been involved in the Health & Safety process at the University. UNISON, along with the other trade unions, are attending weekly meetings with HR and the Safety Office. It’s through these meetings that we can request relevant risk assessments and ask managers to attend so we can feedback any concerns, while also discussing broader issues across the University, such as issues around public transport.   

As activity ramps up on campus towards the start of term, we’re aware that more and more staff will be asked to start working on campus. I want to go over what you should you do if you have any worries or misgivings. If you’re being asked to change your working pattern or where you are working, you should be provided with the risk assessment. It’s not good enough for the risk assessment to have been done and not communicated properly with all staff involved. Once you do get the risk assessment, if you have any concerns or want to check if it is sufficient, please email unison@lancaster.ac.uk and we can have a look at those documents. Ultimately, you have the right to work in a safe environment and it is the duty of the University to provide that. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns regarding health and safety.  

Finally, I want to advertise some useful links:  

Lancaster Race Equality Network (LUREN) 

We would like to reminder members of LUREN, a supportive network of both staff and students which actively coordinate and collaborate campaigns for race equality at Lancaster University The microsite contains the latest news and ways to get involved. 

Update on Strategy 

UNISON (and other unions) met with the VC, Director of HR and Director of Strategic Planning & Governance on 1 September to discuss the University’s draft strategy paper. UNISON stressed that PS staff are largely overlooked in regards to the paper and the discussion, and we mentioned the importance of the University commitment to race equality. We also voiced concerns about workloads and efficiencies if the University pursues further growth, as well as suggesting that the paper separated out environmental sustainability from financial sustainability as both are of equal importance. As a union, we want to see the University being more committed to environmental sustainability. Staff are encouraged to feed into these discussions. 

Labour CLP Affliation 

The branch executive have agreed to affiliate to two local Labour party constituencies: Lancaster and Fleetwood and Morecambe and Lunesdale. This will enable us to take issues important to UNISON members into the party founded by trade unions to ensure we have a voice in the local and national corridors of power. It also gives us the chance to find out about matters that affect members being discussed on local councils and in Parliament. This enables us to boost our organising, representational and bargaining issues by campaigning and lobbying to shape the environment in which we work. It is in line with what other branches, our region and national union are doing at various levels. We will be contacting members who have affiliated via Labour Link in due course.  

Your concerns 

As always, we encourage you to contact us if you have anything you want to discuss, whether formally or informally. Our union is strong due to our membership, which is you! You can contact us on unison@lancaster.ac.uk and follow us on Twitter at @LU_UNISON . 

Lancaster University announces Voluntary Severance Scheme

For branch members currently employed by Lancaster University – you might have seen that the University opened a voluntary severance scheme (VSS) via the Staff Intranet on Thursday 17 Sep 2020. 

Whilst UNISON continues to resist the loss of any jobs at the University due to its financial situation, and although we have concerns about how the up front costs of the scheme are being funded, we know that this scheme may be of interest and benefit to some of our members.

The University has stated unequivocally that the scheme is voluntary and if you think it would be beneficial for you, and you would like to discuss your situation/an application before contacting the University, please get in touch with us.  Please also email us if you have any concerns: unison@lancaster.ac.uk.

Parking at Lancaster University

Following pressure from UNISON and the other campus trade unions, the University have made a concession regarding parking for staff who are returning to work on campus, and already have a bus pass – https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/sustainability/travel/covid-19/#

You may park free of charge in staff parking areas on campus if you display your current bus pass on the dashboard of your car (so it’s visible through the window).

This only applies until 30 September2020.

We are continuing to discuss issues around Health & Safety and travel to campus over the next few months with the University. Please let us know if you are experiencing any difficulties or want to raise any concerns by emailing unison@lancaster.ac.uk.

REMINDER: Branch General Meeting 17 Sep 20

Just a reminder that there is Branch General Meeting coming up on Thurs 17 Sep 2020 11:30-12:30 – a draft agenda, minutes of the last meeting, and a Teams invite to the meeting have been circulated to all members.

Themed discussion on ‘return to work on campus’
On 8 Sep we held an informal themed discussion for members about ‘return to work on campus’. Thanks to all those that attended and shared issues or concerns. It was quite a technical discussion in places, with lots of talk about risk assessments and committees, but many of you provided information that we are able to follow up through various channels, and ensure that the reopening of campus is as safe as possible for everyone.

A full summary will be circulated once we’ve condensed and anonymised the discussion, but several key pieces of advice came out of the discussion:

  • If you’re asked to change your usual working pattern and/or asked to come onto campus to work during the pandemic ASK TO SEE THE RISK ASSESSMENT.
  • If you or a household members have underlying health conditions which make you vulnerable to Covid 19 and are being asked to return to work on campus REQUEST AN INDIVIDUAL RISK ASSESSMENT
  • If you have any concerns or questions about the risk assessments you are provided with contact us.

REMINDER: Members’ themed discussion

Just a reminder that this afternoon (15:00-16:00) we have a themed discussion for members on the topic of ‘return to work on campus’, it’s open to all current members, whether employed directly by the University, or one of the University’s service providers. Even though a full return to work on campus isn’t likely to be before January 2021 for many of us, we know that you will have a lot of questions and concerns about how this might look, and as we are actively involved in reviewing health and safety arrangements for the re-opening of many parts of campus, we’d really benefit from your concerns and understanding of the situation. 

Details for joining the discussion have been emailed out to members.

Please note – this is for current members only, please don’t circulate to non-members, but encourage them to join UNISON.

Members Team
Many of you have now joined the UNISON Lancaster University members’ team on MS Teams – it’s a space for you to interact informally with the branch, and we will be using it to host future informal conversations. If you haven’t already received information about this, please email us and let us know.

Next branch meeting
Our next full branch meeting will be held on Thu 17 Sep at 11:30-12:30 via Teams – invites and a reminder will be sent nearer the time.

Fixed Term Contracts Policy Update

You will probably remember that the University adopted a new Fixed Term Contracts and Casual Working Policy back in November 2019, which aimed to reduce the use of fixed term contract / casual contracts by Lancaster University, and increase the use of indefinite contracts.

Implementation of the policy has been severely delayed by personnel changes in at the University, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Discussion between the Trade Unions and the University have re-started over the last few weeks, and the implementation of the policy is now going ahead. 

Here is a brief summary of where things are at:

  • All new contracts issued AFTER 1 Aug 2020 will adhere to the new policy (i.e. they will be indefinite unless they meet one of the strict criteria for continuing to use fixed term contracts). This is likely to include what would have been extensions to fixed term contracts – please contact us if you think your new contract or contract extension has not been issued in accordance with the criteria.
  • Some indefinite contracts will remain linked to ‘temporary elements’ – this usually means funding. New indefinite contracts will contain a clause stating that the contract is linked to a temporary element and may be at risk of redundancy in the future. Details of any prospective end date and other information regarding the temporary element will be provided in a document which is supplementary to the contract.
  • Unions are hopeful that Graduate Teaching Assistants (currently employed on an ad-hoc, casual, basis) will be offered fixed term contracts before the start of the teaching year, but conversation about this are still in progress.

In addition, there are a group of staff on fixed term contracts with end dates between Oct 2020 and Jan 2021 that are caught in the ‘transition’ between the old policy and the new policy. In the coming months HR will be in contact with a ‘dual track’ process. They will write to you to explain that your current fixed term contract is coming to an end, AND they will also write to you and offer to move you to an indefinite contract (which is linked to the same time limited criteria as your current fixed term contract). We appreciate that this approach is likely to be confusing, and unless a genuine reason for extending your contract is identified (e.g. extension to funding) it will still come to an end. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything we can do to prevent that.

We know that your contract coming to an end can be a very disorientating and disheartening time. However, we would ask any members in this transitional group to please accept the ‘offer’ of an indefinite contract. The process is very light touch, and has no negative impact on you whatsoever – it does, however, have a wider benefit to Trade Unions, and by extension to all our members: when the University brings a fixed term contract to an end, that redundancy goes unreported. When the University brings an indefinite contract to an end, it will be reported, and if the University makes more than 20 posts redundant in a 90 day period it triggers a legal process whereby both the government and trade unions must be informed, and the trade unions must be consulted with. If we are consulted with, we are in a stronger position to put counter-arguments against the ending of contracts. 

If you have any questions at all about this, please get in touch at unison@lancaster.ac.uk, or post a question in our Members’ Team.

Branch meeting and other updates

Many thanks to those of you that attended the Branch General Meeting on 16 Jul 2020 – draft minutes have been circulated to members.

It was a really positive meeting, and heartfelt thanks to those who felt able to contribute to the discussion around bullying. We have anonymised contributions, and are positive that no-one can be identified. We want to let you know what we are now going to do with your input. We will write to senior management at the University and with your feedback, and ask that it be taken into consideration alongside the PwC audit of the University’s Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct policy and procedures. We are in the process of establishing the best route for this. We will report back to you any outcomes of the audit, and responses from senior management to your input. 

We also want to emphasise that UNISON is here for you to talk to about any incidents of bullying in the workplace. We are non-judgmental and supportive, and we understand that actually what many of you need is an opportunity to ‘say out loud’ what has happened to you. We do not push people into complaining via formal processes, but if you decide that is something you want to do, we are here to support you. 

Other updates

Members Team
Many of you have now joined the UNISON Lancaster University members’ team – it’s a space for you to interact informally with the branch, and we will be using it to host future informal conversations. We’ll shortly be posting a poll in there to find out more about the ways in which you want to use it.

We’re also going to hold another themed discussion on ‘returning to work on campus’ on Tues 8 Sep 15:00. Some members have continued to be on campus throughout the pandemic, but many are still working from home or on furlough. Even though a full return to work on campus is likely to be a few months away for many of us, we know that you will have a lot of questions and concerns about how this might look, and as we are actively involved in reviewing H&S arrangements for the re-opening of many parts of campus, we’d really benefit from your concerns and understanding of the situation.

If you’d like to a link to join the Team, or to participate in the themed discussion, please email us.

Voluntary cost reductions survey
We are continuing to press the University management for details on the University’s finances – including the amount raised via the recent voluntary contributions survey and the furlough scheme – and if the estimated £66million savings were indeed accurate. Thanks to all of you who have approached us with thoughts on this subject. We will pass on further info when we have it.

Branch general meeting and updates

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.

Changes to furlough arrangements

We held a second informal meeting yesterday with members – thanks to all that participated, it was great to see you all, and your contributions were really helpful.

This update is to let you know that negotiations about an extension to the Memorandum of Understanding with the University on furlough haven’t been successful. We are deeply concerned that the University has also proceeded to make changes to the furlough situation, AFTER the release of the survey re voluntary cost reductions, and without consultation with unions. Please note the following:

  • the University is only guaranteeing 100% pay for people on furlough up to the end of July.
  • From 1 Aug, the University is only prepared to pay 80% salary to people on furlough: https://portal.lancaster.ac.uk/intranet/cms/coronavirus/staff-faq (scroll down to section on ‘Job Retention Scheme (Furloughing). This includes ‘flexible furlough’ arrangements, where you will be paid your full salary for the time you are at work, but only 80% for any time you are furloughed.

Furlough can only take place with your consent, therefore do not agree to furlough from 1 Aug if you do not feel you can manage on 80% salary for your furloughed time. If there is ‘no work’ for you to do in your substantive role, the University will have to temporarily redeploy you elsewhere in the University in line with your current grade. If you have any concerns that you are being pressured into taking furlough at any point, please get in touch with us, before you sign anything!

With regard to the survey re. ‘voluntary cost reductions’ – this survey is not mandatory, and you are under no obligation to complete it. Our suggestion remains:

  • Do not answer any questions in Part A – if you do, there is an impact on your contract with the University. Please note – the survey is in two parts, Part A and Part B. It is possible to respond to one and not the other. We suggest you skip Part A.
  • Use the expression of interest form in Part B to indicate whether you want to take up some of the other voluntary measures being considered (flexible working, purchasing additional annual leave, etc) that may benefit you and also provide cost savings to the University. HR will then follow up with you and your line manager. Please be aware, before making a final decision,that any permanent changes to terms and conditions will have an impact on redundancy, pensions and retirement, and you should take this into consideration.

Please be aware that if you choose to make a voluntary donation to the University, and then agree to being fully or partially furloughed from 1 Aug onwards, you make end up making a considerable financial sacrifice, and we firmly believe that this is not fair to our members.

If your role is funded through external sources and you have any queries re the voluntary contributions survey, please contact us at unison@lancaster.ac.uk.

We are continuing to work on a method of providing more frequent informal engagement via Teams, as requested by you – some final fine-tuning is taking place, and we will make an announcement on this shortly.

As ever – the strength of the unions lies in you, the members. Please continue to engage with UNISON, and please ask your friends to join a Union!

Follow on meeting re Lancaster University’s financial position and survey on ‘voluntary cost reductions’

Following the VC’s email to all staff on 10 Jun 2020 regarding the University’s financial position, and the circulation of a staff survey on ‘voluntary cost reductions’ on 16 Jun 2020, we held an informal meeting with members to discuss the situation. Following the informal meeting the Branch issued advice to members regarding the survey – if you didn’t receive the email, you can find that advice on our website.

We promised that we would arrange a follow up meeting for those that couldn’t attend on 16 Jun, and that meeting will take place on Weds 24 Jun at 16:00. It will also be an informal meeting, and will take place via Teams.

A link has been emailed out to members, and if you attended the previous meeting, and want to attend this one as well, that’s fine.

We’d very much appreciate it if you don’t circulate the invite email to non-members – please encourage them to join UNISON in order to access the benefits of being in a union.

Please engage with UNISON, and encourage your friends to join a union. You can join UNISON easily at join.unison.org.uk

If you feel that you currently need support from UNISON because of your financial situation, please take a look at the Welfare section of our website or email us. And please don’t forget to follow us on twitter.