Weekly update

Dear Colleagues,



IN THIS WEEK'S ROUNDUP:

TPS Update:
Yesterday (16 March), the National Union of Teachers (NUT) National Executive met and agreed to ask their London membership only to take strike action on 28 March. Today our NEC has considered this and agreed to ask UCU’s TPS members in London to also take strike action on 28 March.
The NEC also agreed to confirm national TPS action (England and Wales) on the 28^th provided that the Executive of the PCS union does the same when they meet on Monday.  We will issue a further urgent update to TPS members on Monday as soon as we have more information.  The NEC has also asked the general secretary to contact other unions to discuss further possible rolling strike action. The full result of the  union’s TPS consultative ballot can be seen here:
http://tps.web.ucu.org.uk/

General secretary’s manifesto proposals:

In this week’s Time Higher Education magazine, general secretary Sally Hunt says changes will put members in charge and improve support for branches:
http://tinyurl.com/7bmokp5
We have also been asked to provide a link to  information from those who oppose the changes:
http://uculeft.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Why-we-should-vote-No-to-all-three-of-Sally-Hunts-proposals.pdf
To view the FAQs on Sally’s proposals and make a comment go here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5993

IFL reminder:
A reminder to all FE branches that members in England should continue to NOT pay their IfL registration fee:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/iflfee

Last chance to lobby on the NHS Bill:
The government is intent on forcing its Health and Social Care Bill through Parliament, but you can still help the TUC make a last bid to persuade Peers to delay it until the risk register is published here:
http://www.goingtowork.org.uk/peers/?campaign=6

UCUHE137: 23 March Post 92 annual meeting cancelled:
www.ucu.org.uk/circ/rtf/UCUHE137.rtf
www.ucu.org.uk/circ/pdf/UCUHE137.pdf

UCU/414 Congress minutes 2011:
The formal minutes of UCU’s 2011 Congress meeting, including all resolutions passed.
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu414.html
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/rtf/ucu414.rtf

UCU/413 NEC annual report to Congress 2012:
An annual report of the union’s activities, reported in sections corresponding to the NEC’s sub-committees.
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu413.html
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/rtf/ucu413.rtf

UCU/412 Annual TUC Disability Equality Conference:
Details of arrangements for the 2012 TUC Disability Conference to be held in central London, 30-31 May.  Nominations should be sent to James Taylor ( jtaylor@ucu.org.uk) by 12 noon, Monday 26 March 2012.
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu412.html
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/rtf/ucu412.rtf

UCU/411 Academic-Related Annual Meeting – Agenda, Motions & Nominations:
Please see the agenda, motions and committee nominations submitted to the Annual Meeting for Academic Related Staff to be held at UCU HQ on 21 March. Please note that the deadline for any amendments to motions is 5pm on Monday 19 March.
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu411.html
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/rtf/ucu411.rtf

UCU/410  HE Negotiating Pack Briefings:
Details of the HE Negotiating Pack Briefings in April and May; why the packs have been developed, how the packs can help local negotiations, where the briefings will take place, what briefing your branch can register for and how to register. 
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu410.html
http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/rtf/ucu410.rtf

Workers’ Memorial Day 28th April:
TUC calls day of action on health and safety: Commemorating those killed at work and campaigning for safer workplaces on 28th April. The TUC is calling all trade union members to make 28th April in UK a day of action. Planned events here:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-20489-f0.cfm      

All the best,

Justine Stephens,
Head of Campaigns UCU