Response to the General Secretarys Survey

You will have been contacted last week by the newly re-elected General Secretary. She will have informed you that she is interpreting her election as a mandate for constitutional change. She will be conducting an e-poll from today on three proposals for constitutional change in our union: shrinking the size of the National Executive, election of national negotiators in a members' ballot, and a rule change to the effect that all 'final' offers should be put to a members' ballot.

The University of Brighton co-ordinating committee urge a 'No' vote on all of these proposals for the reasons given in the letter below. We urge you to take the time to consider these issues since the proposals, in whatever form they may finally appear, could have a significant impact on the ability of our union to represent members.

Click here to read the full response from concerned UCU members

Pensions Latest

A further Strike date has now been announced on March 28th 2012 for Colleagues in the London Area Only

Colleagues in the University of Brighton are NOT ON STRIKE on Wednesday 28th 2012. There will however be opportunities to support those colleagues who are on strike - watch this space

The National excutive of the UCU have voted to reject the Heads of Agreement Offer made by the Government and to plan with our fellow rejectionist unions more industrial action in the near future. 14 unions have so far rejected the Offer

Click here to download a leaflet about pensions

Frequently asked questions about the Strike Action

More Information about the pensions campaign

Justice for Alfie Meadows

Many of you will remember the demonstrations of 2010, what you may not know however is that the students who were arrested are paying a heavy price for standing up to this government. Many students have been disproportionately charged, usually with violent disorder which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years and some are serving sentences in the range between 15 months and 2 years.

Alfie lost his university department and when he protested he received a life threatening injury. But outrageously Alfie has since been charged with violent disorder and faces a trial on 26th March.

It is shocking that it is Alfie who is on trial trial for violent disorder, not the police, or more specifically the policeman who hit him.

View Information from the University of Brighton Stop the Cuts Group here

View Statement on the debt crisis from Tom Hickey - NEC South East regional Official

More Information on the Coordinated Strike Action which took place on Thursday JUNE 30th

Report of the 24th March strike action in Brighton

Information on the Student Protests and the defence campaign for arrested students

Got a problem?

If you need help or advice from the union, your local branch officers are here to help you. Follow the link to your local branch officers, representatives or case workers. If you are not sure whom to approach first, contact the person in the Chair.

News

Visit the Issues pages for news about union news and campaigns, including

• Academic and Research Promotions Procedure Negotiations Completed Click here to view the Agreements
• Points-based System of Immigration Your questions answered about points based immigration.
• UCU Annual Congress and the Higher Education Sector Conference Report from your Congress Delegates.
• help with letters to Personnel for fixed-term contract staff.

News about forthcoming meetings and campaigns is regularly sent to members by email. If you are a member of UCU and not receiving email news please contact the membership secretary of your local branch - see the links on the left.

Issues example: Holocaust memorial day • January 2007

The local UCU were part of the team that organised a series of talks, films, music and discussions on racism, xenophobia and genocide on Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January 2007.The conference organiser was Tom Hickey. Full details are available online.