Contents:  Message from the Branch Chair  Pay 2019  UNISON International  National Delegate Conference   Bereavement Policy  There for You Summer 2019

The magazine for UNISON members at the University of

the University, she says, it would be hope that in some way I have helped Farewell, Tracy and for them to put into practice more of raise Unison’s profile at the Stella! the schemes and policies they like to University. adopt and promote. This is “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time On behalf of the branch, I would like particularly the case for the both as rep and as branch sec. It to thank both Tracy O’Shea, who is wellbeing of the lower paid staff has given an insight into the retiring from the University, and where morale is especially low. The workings of the UoN and I hope I Stella Fuller, who is leaving for a University needs to listen more to have helped to encourage staff to new job at Nottingham Trent Uni, for staff concerns. Also, affiliating to the become more involved with the their commitment to Unison, and for Living Wage Foundation and union. I have tried to make them playing such a big role in rebuilding becoming an accredited LW realise that they do have a voice and the branch committee in the last few employer would not only help the that with the help of the union they years. Stella was particularly lowest paid staff but would also are able to challenge what they see dynamic in setting up the Notts enhance the University’s image as as unfairness and bad practice in the Learning sessions, which many an employer. workplace.” members have benefited from. Tracy has pushed along the campaign for Tracy is a strong believer in the Stella Fuller the living wage, and been a relaxed trade union movement and and fun person to work with, with a particularly in UNISON. She says: The branch chair pays tribute (with justly critical attitude to University “The UNISON branch at the UoN help from an unnamed source). management. We wish them well has come on leaps and bounds over Stella started temping at the with their next adventures but we will the past few years which is all down University in 2007, having previous miss them both a lot! They will be to the hard working reps/stewards/ experience as an administrator at hard to replace! committee members who give their the University of Bangor. Stella Vicki Morris, Branch Chair time for free in order to support staff avoided the growing pressure to and offer them help and advice. learn Welsh - which was part of the Tracy O’Shea “I have always tried to do my best for job requirement - by moving to the Our branch secretary Tracy has the members I have represented and Midlands, when her husband got a been in a union all her working life. job in Nottinghamshire. She was part of the riches that When temp became perm, Stella UNISON inherited from NALGO Summer drink became an administrator in the upon formation in 1993. She started School of Geography, soon working at the Hallward Library in and nibbles becoming PA to Michael Jackson 2003. Before that she'd worked in (no relation), a true gentleman. Beeston library. Meet other members and say Mike had a long career as a CEO in Tracy first took an active role in goodbye to Tracy and Stella industry before deciding to share his Unison in 2012 when she became a Tuesday 23 July 3:30 pm, wisdom with students. When Stella shop steward and welfare officer. In The Hemsley said that was hard to believe - 2014 Tracy became the international successful business people were officer for the branch, and in 2015 Free drink for tough, no-nonsense personalities she became branch secretary. (actually, she described them as If she could change one thing about every member b******s) - his response was that he employed people with those skills to act like that on his behalf. To this Pay 2019 day Stella doesn’t realise the significance of what her boss had The University of Nottingham has just said. once again decided not to take part in national pay negotiations for HE Life moved on and Stella was head- be asked to vote on strike action. staff. Nottingham is one of the few hunted by an Engineering research UK Universities who do not join the What is happening nationally? centre. Finally, in 2012, she was negotiations, and is negotiating with transferred to the Business School UNISON and the other HE unions UNISON and Unite locally instead. as Senior Research pushed hard for a decent pay rise The position of senior management Administrator. This was when she and put in a claim that included: is inconsistent, because the decided that for the first time in her  A rise of RPI plus 3%, or a University does negotiate nationally life it was time to join a union. minimum increase of £3,349 for those employees represented by  £10 ph minimum rate of pay She has got stuck into several roles: UCU. training to be a steward and then  All universities to become At the time of writing, the Branch has adding Education Officer, Lifelong accredited by the Living Wage submitted a pay claim but has not Learning Coordinator, and member Foundation had any meetings to discuss the of several committees and  A 35 hour working week claim or receive an offer. We have panels. She is now a well-known proposed that the increase accepted  Action to close the gender and figure at regional and national level ethnicity pay gaps by the other Universities should be and makes sure that everyone she made to us.  Action to reduce excessive meets knows that this branch is workloads and combat stress active and willing to play its part. In addition we have asked that: In response, University employers Stella loves people who can smile  all O&F employees and APM are offering the majority of HE staff a and enjoy life. If there are problems employees at the top of their grade rise of 1.8%, and lower paid staff that stop that happening, she wants are moved one point up on the pay between 1.82% and 3.65%. scale, to put it right. She hates bullies, and Where does the 1.8% offer come from? will stand up to anyone who thinks  that annual leave is increased by that they have the right to belittle or one day, and The Government uses the CPIH take advantage of someone else. (Consumer Price Index including  the University’s contribution to the owner occupiers’ Housing costs), to Stella can’t hold her tongue when CRSP pension scheme is calculate increases in pay, benefits she knows that something is increased. and as a measure of the economy. wrong. If she could change just one Once we receive a response to our This is because it tends to be the thing about the University – or claim we will be in touch to find out lowest of the three possible indices, indeed any work place – it would be how you feel about the offer. the others being the CPI (Consumer that people could speak out if Price Index), and the RPI (Retail something is wrong, be listened to University employees who are part Price Index). and have their opinions valued. As it of the national pay negotiations have stands, there are too many vested been offered 1.8% with a slightly At the start of national negotiations interests to allow that to happen, and higher increase for the bottom few CPIH was 1.8%, so the employers that is why we still need unions! points on the pay scale. The initial say that is a fair increase. The RPI response has been to reject the was 2.5%. It is said that people become like offer. UNISON will be holding a their pets. Stella has a border collie The UNISON website has an online ballot in September for those called Jess. Collies are tireless, keep calculator that will show how much members who are part of the their flock safe and face down your pay would be if we had kept up national pay negotiations. They will predators, but make great friends. with the RPI. You will find it on the Any member who has had Stella HE pay ballot page. supporting them over the past few years would recognise the similarity. P.S. It is not all positive, Stella is hopeless at languages, she never learned Welsh and she has not picked up the East Midlands dialect either, so if you ever hear her say ‘duck’, you’d better do it! UNISON is international At the National Delegates Conference, Unison General Many members may not be aware Secretary Dave Prentis noted that that UNISON has a proud tradition Unison’s solidarity “has no borders”. of standing up and supporting the Unison efforts are reaching out as rights of workers around the far as Turkey, the Palestinian Unison announced they are helping world. We are proud to have Territories and Colombia. He to organise a Solidarity with worked on many campaigns that described Internationalism as “the Palestine conference for UK trade have changed the lives of heart of our union; solidarity its union activists. Currently this is millions. As a result of our bedrock”. support to the anti-Apartheid planned to be held in London on 12 Each day, the Conference started movement in South Africa, Nelson October, 10-5pm. with lively and inspiring speeches Mandela accepted the role of Unison co-signed a letter calling on from international guests. These Honorary President of the union. the Colombian government to crack included: Barbara Gwangwara- So it is great news to have Jack down on anti-union violence, which Tanyanyiwa, president of Nelson join us as International has continued into 2019 despite a Zimbabwe’s Commercial Workers Officer for the branch. peace agreement being signed in Union and national secretary of the 2016. Jack reports here on some of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade initiatives that UNISON is Unions, who described the supporting, often arguing for the type challenges facing workers in her Report from the of recognition of rights that we take country. She explained that even National Delegates for granted - both as union members after a change of leadership, living and human beings. conditions and workers’ rights Conference (NDC) in Jucelia Vargas Vieira de Jesus, continue to fall. Many families have president of the local government just one meal a day, and essential Liverpool by Jack Nelson items such as sanitary towels are workers union in the Santa Catarina Janis Hopkins and I were both first unobtainable. The police and military state of Brazil, spoke at the UNISON timers to NDC. I think we were both use rape and torture “as a weapon of local government conference about a bit uncertain about spending four silence”, particularly against women her opposition to the rising far right days listening to debates punctuated leaders. Barbara finished by saying in her home country. She spoke of by points of order regarding motions that Zimbabweans “are not going to all the positive work that had been and composites. At the East suffer and die in silence… We will achieved for women’s rights under Midlands meeting on the evening peacefully protest until our cries left-wing governments including the before NDC, we were warned that have been heard”. election of their first woman over 2,000 people at any time would president, Dilma Rousseff, who Mandela 8 is a project in Liverpool be crammed into a hall with no “made young girls believe that celebrates the life and example ventilation let alone air conditioning, themselves and know that women of Nelson Mandela to bring a dim lighting, and, to top it all, East can occupy spaces alongside men troubled community together in a Midlands delegates would be at the and not behind”. But this has positive way through inclusive front, way off to the left of the stage changed since Jair Bolsonaro community projects. with a poor view of proceedings. But became president. Now unions are The Cuban Blockade: Although they taught us the words we would under attack, there are restrictions Cuba has many problems, some need to understand and we even on public spending, and public areas of life are strong. Conference had a dry run to see how long it services are being privatised. noted and praised the health care would take to walk to the venue, so Jucelia ended with a call for action, and education systems, and agreed we were prepared - almost. noting that on 14 June millions of that the Union should campaign Janis was our delegate - the one Brazilians had protested on the against the Trump administration’s with voting rights - and took up streets, and efforts are being made blockade of the country. position at the front. As I was just an to re-organise unions and workers’ Elsewhere... observer I settled down at the back organisations in Brazil to fight back with an excellent view. Helpfully, Unison representatives met with against the far-right government. proceedings were shown on a huge Aminatou Haidar, an activist from the Unison International Rally screen behind the stage, so I did not Western Sahara region of Africa, to announced opposition to a potential need to squint. Also, the light did not discuss human rights in the attack on Iran by British and US seem to be an issue and the hall Moroccan-occupied territory. forces. was a comfortable temperature. (NDC continued…) where many officers hold multiple We acted as a team via text roles because no one wants to share message, discussing how we responsibility. thought we should vote on each Both these motions were won by the issue. I had the advantage of being NEC although in each case the able to move around and even use voting was close, and only the block the settees in the exhibition area to votes of the large branches carried watch the debate via TV link. the vote. Bereavement Policy - Whereas Janis always had to ensure that if he left the hall during debates Apart from the main event, there is it fit for purpose? and a card vote was called, he could were lunch and evening sessions on a wide variety of topics and an We were contacted recently by a be back in the hall before the doors couple of members who felt they exhibition area with lots of stands to were locked (this happens if a show had been treated unfairly when of hands is not decisive and all visit and buy everything from they needed time off following a delegates must physically hand in a handmade jewellery and campaign bereavement. tee-shirts to a subscription to card with their voting intention and Line Managers read the Special Amnesty International. the number of members that they Leave policy, (although there’s represent). Looking back, I had a really nothing special about having to have time off because someone close to We both relied on other delegates to interesting and informative week, and I came away feeling that I had you has died), and apply it to the explain the significance of some of letter without taking into taken part in something worthwhile. the motions and get an idea of how consideration the circumstances. they would affect us as a branch. By There is no allowance for different Friday we were seasoned family relationships or for those who conference goers, totally at ease have to make arrangements which with the work of the Standing Orders can take time to finalise. The amount Committee, and able to predict when of time that can be given isn’t someone would stand up to put a particularly generous either. point of order, which to put it bluntly We need to know your means we have heard enough to experience—tell us what make up our minds, can we please was good and what was bad vote and move on. Nottinghamshire Pride UNISON raised this as an issue at Most debates were foregone Nottinghamshire Pride is taking the latest Consultative Committee for conclusions. However, two motions place on Saturday 27 July and is fast Support Staff and asked that a new that had a direct effect on smaller approaching! UNISON East Bereavement Policy be considered. Higher Education branches had a Midlands LGBT+ will be marching and holding a stall. Everybody is Dr Paul Greatrix, the Registrar, bumpy passage. The National welcome to join UNISON on the asked if we could provide examples Executive Committee threw their march – or help out on the stall if you of where the policy is not fit for might into opposing each motion want to! purpose. We don’t know if the because they argued they were members who contacted us were undemocratic. We are gathering at 10am at Lister unlucky and that they had Gate in Nottingham City Centre, unsympathetic line managers or if The first concerned the freedom for outside Marks and Spencer’s. The the experience across the University branches to elect officials for two march will last for an hour or so and is similar to theirs. We are asking years, not just one. Note: the NEC is ends in Hockley, where there will be you to contact us by email at elected for two years, not one, the live entertainment and information [email protected] to tell us how you were treated when you reasoning behind this was not stalls. needed time away from work explained. Large branches always following a bereavement. You can let have competition for each role, but Please join the Facebook event ‘Unison – Nottinghamshire Pride us know about good experiences as smaller ones struggle to convince 2019’ or contact Seb Wilkins if you well as bad and we’ll pass them on people to take on a new role, train are interested to Dr Greatrix. We are also trying to over a period of months and then [email protected] / 07397 find examples of how other face re-election. On the other hand if 524810. employers deal with bereavement. If you have any examples of there is no competition for that post companies who have a good policy re-election is normal. Don’t worry if you haven’t been involved in UNISON/prides before – in place we would like to hear about The second was to prevent people come along and have a fun day! that too. holding more than one executive role There for You By now most people should be familiar with the support that UNISON offers members to ensure that their family is looked after and that sudden emergencies that could upset the household budget can be minimised. Summer is the time for holidays, but in the back of many people’s mind is the looming expense of school uniforms. If you need support there is a link in the poster. If the idea of filling out forms is worrying, get in touch with us by email: [email protected] Other helpful campaigns can be found on the UNISON website. NB: The deadline for uniform cost applications is Friday 19 July 2019.

BRANCH OFFICERS

Branch Chair …………… Vicki Morris If you are interested in finding out about becoming a Branch Secretary ……… Soon to be vacant Branch Officer, especially if you feel that your area is under-represented, please contact the Branch Chair, Branch Treasurer ……… Anne Kilker Vicki Morris at [email protected]. Membership Officer …… Laura Sun In addition to the vacancies of Branch Secretary and Convenor for Estates …….. Kevin Hodges Education Officer we need to fill the following: Education Officer …………. Soon to be vacant Welfare Officer Equalities Officer …………. Liam Jones Black members Officer Health and Safety Officer .. Martyn Tring Women’s Officer Communications Officer …. Steve Fuller Labour Link Officer Young Members Officer …. Janis Hopkins

To join UNISON contact Laura Sun [email protected] or email the Branch: [email protected]