AUT/NATFHE pay action: whats going on in your institution?

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
Submitted by JDMF on 4 April, 2006 - 14:17.

Seems like that UCEA (universities and colleges employers association) extremist Geoffrey Copland is playing hard ball and the dispute seems to continue.

What is the situation in your institution at the moment?

(i am collecting any bits and bobs from here and EWN email list to an article for the EWN newsletter/freesheet & web site)

University of Manchester

In comparison to many other universities in the region UoM has a relatively solid marking boycott among the academics. Big differences between different schools/faculties with some schools having just few isolated people taking part into the action, and in others, namely humanities subjects, the boycott is much more solid.

Students are encouraged to complain about the situation to heads of schools and university management. In the end it is about who blinks first: university management, or the staff. But workers are anxious about the situation, they do not want to cause any problems to the students and some exams need to go through the quality control very soon for them to be ready for the exam season.

Frequent smaller school and department level meetings have been a good way to break the isolation that is inherent in this type of action. These have been organised by workers, though the universitys AUT union has been giving support as well. We also have biweekly cross campus meetings about the dispute.

Alan "Getting drunk, playing punk on a stylophone"
Posts: 5138 Joined: 28-09-04 Location: SE4
4 April, 2006 - 23:58

Well speaking as a student, all I can see is whole lot of confusion, especially in regard to the action short of a strike on assessment. The only tutor in my entire uni who's qualified to mark about 50% of my coursework struck on the 7th, so I'm writing essays without knowing whether they'll get marked (it'd be nice if I did know and saved myself the effort). I think support here is quite minimal though, I guess we'll find out the extent of it when exams start next month.

I'll quit being a self-absorbed student now and focus on the two day strike coming up - I have an A5 leaflet we made specifically for our uni for the last strike. If anyone wants it, get in touch. It will need a little bit of tweaking, which I fully intend to do in the next couple of weeks (read that as: the night before the strike tongue).

How might student activists rally students against the uni authorities on the assessment strike?? The evidence I've seen seems to show that the lecturers are being resented more than the actual authorities, which is backed up by an email from the authorities claiming they aren't participants in the pay dispute, since it's worked out on a national level. I asked these same questions on the thread in Organise, but didn't get any answer, so maybe someone could answer here. smile

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
12 April, 2006 - 08:30

(original reply disappeared during the server crash...)

thanks for that Alan. I think you are right about who students resent more in this dispute - in Manchester the MMU students union mag went as far as to accuse lecturers using students as a tool in their union politics.

Here in Uni of Man it really depends on the lecturer. Many lecturers have managed to explain the issue thoroughly and enjoy 100% support from their students. Others haven't bothered...

Anyways, AUT action reports here:

http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1576

ticking_fool
Posts: 553 Joined: 12-03-05 Location: UK, Liverpool
15 April, 2006 - 09:59

Sorry, only just checked my PMs.

University of Liverpool

Massive confusion, no agreed line across the department I'm working in (English) and piss poor communication from the university branch (although the fact that I'm NATFHE and the branch here is AUT doesn't help much). I'd be very surprised if the marking ban held to any extent. Most people just seem to be banking on the dispute being over by the time the exam period rolls by. If it's not, it'll be down to personal conscience not any organisation.

Edge Hill College of Higher Education

Less confusion and a much more effective branch (although possibly because it's NATFHE and they're communicating with their own members better). Still not particularly solid though. In my department (Film Studies) there are only two union members out of eight staff - one of whom has said he will resign from the union rather than stop people graduating. There's very much a 'mustn't hurt the students' attitude which is compounded by the fact that people are very pissed off at the union for picking the wrong fight.

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
19 April, 2006 - 14:50

just got this one:

Quote:

Dear All,

Progress on negotiations - UCEA call in ACAS, AUT and NATFHE agree to meet ASAP:

In a clear sign that the action short of a strike is biting, UCEA have at last recognised the urgency of the situation. AUT and NATFHE met UCEA yesterday (18 April) and the following statement was agreed:

“Arising from a meeting today convened by Mary Stacey (independent Chair of JNCHES), the UCEA, AUT and NATFHE agreed, at the employers’

suggestion, to:

· Convene early officer discussions on HE funding

· Invite ACAS to facilitate discussions between UCEA, AUT and

NATFHE with a view to resumption of full JNCHES negotiations at

the earliest opportunity”

AUT’s position on talks at ACAS:

AUT is glad that the employers are finally showing some sense of urgency about resolving the dispute. Many members have asked what AUT’s negotiating position is. Our position remains that:

· We are looking for an offer which responds seriously to our costed

three year claim

· The settlement should be national not local

· We will not suspend our action unless and until we receive an offer

which has been democratically endorsed by members

· Money deducted from members as part of the action short of a

strike should be returned as part of any settlement

Within that context, AUT is more than prepared to be flexible about how we achieve an increase for members that reflects your worth. Speaking after the meeting on 18 April, Sally Hunt AUT general secretary, said:

“We are pleased that talks are at last taking place between the two sides.

However, talks about talks are not going to resolve this dispute. The employers must grasp the opportunity to discuss our pay claim, rather than talking about when we will discuss it. The only offer on the table so far failed spectacularly to address the three year element of our claim. It is vital that we get back round the table to agree a deal that delivers real increases for staff whose pay has declined so dramatically over the years.”

Now is the time to stand firm

At last the employers have agreed to edge down the road towards a negotiated settlement. The reason for this is the action that you are taking which is having a major impact in every institution where there are AUT and NATFHE members.

We know that for the tens of thousands of members who are taking part this action is difficult, not least because of how you view your responsibility to your students. However, the action is having an effect, not least upon employers who until yesterday would not even contemplate serious negotiations to break the deadlock:

· Any member reading this who is NOT taking part in the action so

far is asked to begin to do so now. Join your colleagues in fighting

for a better deal.

· Join the 2,000+ new members who have joined the action in the

last few weeks alone.

· Every member who takes part in the action increases the strength

of your negotiators’ hands.

· Every member who declines to do so, reduces the likelihood of a

better deal.

rkn
Posts: 7651 Joined: 17-07-06 Location: London
27 April, 2006 - 21:28
Quote:
Dear student

AUT Action

As you may be aware from the national media, the Association of University Teachers (AUT) is currently undertaking industrial action short of a strike, in support of a pay claim. It has asked its members not to set examinations, not to mark exams or coursework, and not to provide informal guidance to students on their progress

In British universities, academic staff pay claims are negotiated through collective bargaining on a national basis – the trade unions and the representatives of the universities have not yet been able to reach an agreement this year. The national Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service (ACAS) is trying to bring the two sides together. The **** cannot make a local settlement.

The needs of the School’s students are paramount. Our objective is to minimise disruption and to ensure that students get their degrees as normal. To this end, we are leaving no stone unturned to overcome any difficulties which the AUT action may present at **** .

So far, I can tell you that only a handful of examinations have not been set out of the hundreds to be sat this term. We are dealing with the final year undergraduate students as a priority: each of those students affected by the non setting of examinations will hear from us individually about his or her position. All other students should assume that their examination arrangements will be normal unless informed, later in the term, to the contrary. Students should continue to prepare for their examinations on this basis. We are not in a position to say yet which academic staff may at a later stage decide not to mark examination scripts or release marks. Of course we are hoping that the dispute will be resolved before we reach that point.

We will keep you informed of developments. You may find it helpful to contact your personal tutor for more detailed guidance about your own circumstances, if you are in doubt.

Deputy Director (Teaching and Learning)

26 April 2006

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
28 April, 2006 - 09:03
Quote:

Dear Colleagues

ANNOUNCEMENT

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO GUARANTEE STUDENT ASSESSMENT, PROGRESSION AND GRADUATION DESPITE ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE BY SOME STAFF

Background

I am sorry to have to inform you that discussions between UCEA (the UK Higher Education employers' organization) and the AUT have not yet resolved the issues that have led to widespread "action short of a strike" across the higher education sector. 

As foreshadowed in earlier communications about this dispute, failure to reach a resolution by the end of April confronts universities and their students with the serious prospect of disruption of the forthcoming examinations process.

The gravity of this risk needs little elaboration.  The University is receiving a considerable volume of correspondence from students making plain their intention to seek legal redress should the university breach what they regard as its contractual obligation to conduct and conclude the examinations process and provide them with results in time to allow them to progress and (as appropriate) graduate as they would expect to have done under normal circumstances. 

From a larger number of students, the feedback we are receiving indicates widespread bewilderment, concern and distress.

 

The University of xxxxxxx Approach

Readers of the THES will know that universities are reacting to these circumstances in very different ways, including significant pay reductions for every day of "action short of a strike" and consideration of legal action against individuals whose refusal to participate in the examinations process is seen to be placing their university at legal risk. 

The University of xxxxxxx, on the other hand, has been consistent in allowing two fundamental values to guide its approach to this dispute.

The first is the value we attach to collegiality, and an accompanying determination to get through this crisis without damaging the collegial culture upon which the strength and scholarly integrity of the University so profoundly depends.  There has been no questioning in this University of the professional integrity or conscientious judgement of those undertaking "action short of a strike."

The second is the value we attach to the rights and interests of students.  Failure to provide any student with the examinations processes and the timely publication of results that he/she would have received under normal circumstances raises legal, financial, professional and ethical issues.

Individual academic and academic support staff may judge that the issues prompting "action short of a strike" override their ethical and professional obligations to the interests and welfare of their 2006 students.  As I have said, I respect that judgement of conscience, while profoundly regretting the circumstances in which it is being made.

A corollary of that collegial respect is an accompanying expectation that colleagues undertaking selective industrial action will, in turn, respect the absolute obligation of the University to safeguard the interests of its students.

I have therefore signaled all along that the University will use its best endeavours to ensure that the interests of students are not compromised as a result of this dispute.

Action to Safeguard the Interests of Students

After long and detailed work by members of the Senior Executive, I am now in a position to announce that The University of xxxxxxx is providing all its students with a guarantee that in 2006:

An examinations process will be conducted and examination results will be determined and published in sufficient time to allow successful students to progress to the next stage of their studies and, for final year students, to receive their degree results in time for graduation in July 2006.

Many examinations will take place as normal, but where this is not possible, the University will do everything it can to maintain the scholarly integrity of assessment and the comparability of results in 2006 with those in previous years.

Implementation

Recommendations to the Board of Governors authorizing extraordinary procedures and actions required to fulfill the above guarantee are being finalised, and will be submitted to members of Senate prior to their consideration by the Board on 17 May. 

Staff and students will be kept informed of developments in relation to the dispute through further communications, including the University's Web Site.  In particular, Vice-President/Deans, Heads of School and Associate Deans (Teaching and Learning) will play a vital role in the communications process.

I still hope that the need for extraordinary measures will be avoided by an early resolution of the dispute. 

Yours sincerely,

"a guy who makes about 10 times more than you + benefits"

Sacha
Posts: 44 Joined: 28-04-06
29 April, 2006 - 00:26

Please add your or your group's name by emailing volsunga@gmail.com, post on relevant websites and elists and forward to sympathetic people!

For the full version with links, please visit the Education Not for Sale site:

http://www.free-education.org.uk/?p=184#more-184

SUPPORT OUR LECTURERS: DON’T LET THE BOSSES DIVIDE US!

Despite NUS’s official position of support for the NATFHE/AUT dispute, the pressure of supporting a prolonged industrial struggle is beginning to tell.

NUS has always been less than forthright in its support for the dispute, and NUS President Kat Fletcher has previously expressed “concern” at the AUT’s decision not to set dates for exams as part of its assessment boycott. However, the union has now gone a step further. In a recent press release the NUS said it “condemned” the AUT’s decision not to set exams, and would “put pressure” on them to do so.

This comes in the context of the publication in the Independent of a letter signed by 20 sabbatical officers from various students’ unions attacking the NUS for its position of support for the dispute. (Read the article here)

Although some pro-strike officers admirably responded with their own letter (available here), a groundswell of anti-AUT feeling is clearly developing. It needs to be combated.

To this end, ENS is calling for signatories to the following statement. You can add your name by emailing us at volsunga@gmail.com.

"Whilst it is unfortunate if students’ degrees are disrupted, we cannot allow university bosses to divide us by playing the interests of students off against the interests of workers on campus.

A quality HE sector staffed by well-motivated and well-paid workers is in all our interests. That means we have to support every struggle towards it, even if that means facing some disruption.

NUS’s demands on the AUT to call off aspects of their assessment boycott will have the effect of weighing into the dispute on the side of the bosses.

If you want well-paid lecturers, and if you want an NUS that offers full and unconditional support to workers in struggle on our campuses, please add your name to this statement."

Signatories so far:

Daniel Randall, NUS NEC

Sofie Buckland, NUS NEC-elect

Joe Rooney, NUS NEC-elect, Training and Development Officer, West Midlands Area NUS

Heather Shaw, Bretton Hall Officer, Leeds University Students’ Union

Keir Lawson, President, Glasgow University SSP

Pat Yarker, University of East Anglia

Josh Robinson, Queens’ College, Cambridge

Laura Schwartz, University of East London and Students Against Sweatshops campaign

Kate Ferguson, Oxford University Students’ Union executive committee

Mike Wood, York University

Louise Gold, Sheffield University

Ruth Cashman, Newcastle University Union Society Council

Heenal Rajani, Lambeth College

Dave Smith, King’s College, Cambridge

Mike Rowley, Ruskin College, Oxford

Anna Longman, York University

Thomas Lalevée, Pembroke College, Cambridge

Leonie Ratty, Oxford University

Katja Kurbus, University of East London

Edward Maltby, St. Johns College, Cambridge

Keith J. Baker, De Montfort University, No Sweat

Michael Hance, Reading University

Richard Wyatt, Lancaster University

Alasdair Thompson, Edinburgh University, Union Executive

Jacob Bard-Rosenberg, Robinson College, Cambridge

Riccardo Pantone, University of East London

Rachael Ferguson, Sussex University

Leonie Hannan, Royal Holloway, University of London

Rebecca Barr, Jesus College, Cambridge

Pete Harris, VP Services, Edinburgh University

Dan Swain, King’s College, Cambridge

Clare Bielby, Edinburgh University

Houzan Mahmoud, Birkbeck College, UK representative of the Federation of

Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq.

Michael Bleisteiner, University of East London

Sobhi Samour, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Robert Lee, University of Sussex

Gary Dunion, Staffordshire University and Scottish Young Greens

Tim Freeman, Edinburgh University

Tim Perkins, Chair, Lancaster University Students’ Union

Donnacha Kirk, Churchill College, Cambridge

Hanif Leylabi, University of Leeds

Ruth Matthew, Associations Rep, University of Leicester Student’s Union

Andrew Weir, Edinburgh University, Scottish Socialist Students’ Society

Roger Hylton, President, University of Sussex Students’ Union

Abigael Candelas, University of Edinburgh

Andy Hix, Royal Holloway, University of London

Ian Burnett, Edinburgh University Socialist Society

Vicki Mann, Welfare and Graduates Officer, Cambridge University Students’ Union

Gordon Strachan, Stirling University

Charles Atkey, Sheffield University

Keshav Dogra, Edinburgh University

Richard Budden, President, Canterbury Christ Church University

Dave Isaacson, Leeds Metropolitan University and CPGB National Student Organiser.

Jaz Lovett, Leeds Metropolitan University

Dan Glass, President-elect, University of Sussex Students’ Union

Andy Higson, Communications Officer, Union of UEA Students

MFV Manassei, Edinburgh University

Matilda Guffogg, Truro College

Eamonn Coyle, Glasgow University SSP

Vicki Morris, University of Westminster, NUS and NUJ member

Martin Jopp, Liberations Officer, Union of UEA Students

James Kerr, Goldsmiths College

rkn
Posts: 7651 Joined: 17-07-06 Location: London
9 May, 2006 - 11:26
Quote:
Dear students

Since I last wrote to you about the impact of the AUT action on this year’s examination arrangements, there have been two significant developments to report.

Firstly, at the national level, the employers’ organisation made a new pay offer to the Trades Union at a meeting on Monday 8 May. As you may have read in the papers today, the Union representatives have rejected it; and there will be meetings of the major AUT governing bodies next week. Our understanding is that, in spite of the Unions’ decision to reject the offer, negotiations are continuing. This is a very fluid situation, and we will keep you in touch with further developments.

Secondly, some of the examination papers which had previously been not been released to the School have now been made available to us. As a result, only a very small number of papers are outstanding, all of them in one Department. We are still trying to persuade the staff involved to let us have their papers. Any students whose examinations might be affected by the action (and it will only be a very small number) will be written to individually. We have contingency plans in place for these cases.

Whether marks will be released to the School so that Exam Boards can meet in the normal way and deal with classification and progression issues is well into the future. We hope that the national pay dispute will be resolved by the time we get to that. If it is not, we will again update you.

As I said in the last message you can assume that the published timetable for examinations will be carried through and you should plan your revision accordingly. Please assume that normal working is the right approach and do not worry about how this action might affect you.

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
9 May, 2006 - 11:41
Quote:

Dear Colleague

As most of you will have seen or heard, unfortunately the employers made a pay offer in yesterday's negotiations which is not acceptable to AUT members. The offer was:

2006/07

August 2006 3% or £515 whichever is greater; February 2007 a further 1%

2007/08

August 2007 3%; February 2008 a further 1% or £200 whichever is greater

2008/09

August 2008 3%; February 2009 a further 1%

See http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1655 for further details.

This offer has been rejected by our national officers. This means the action short of strike and especially the boycott of assessment continues.

Do not set examinations; do not mark coursework, essays, projects, dissertations etc. (where the marks count towards annual progression or final degrees); do not mark examinations. The boycott of appraisal is reinstated.

The stronger and more unified we are in maintaining this action, the quicker the employers will be forced to make an acceptable pay offer.

ftony "crews are for boats"
Posts: 3705 Joined: 26-05-04 Location: East London
12 May, 2006 - 11:25

interesting things going on at Northumbria and Bournemouth:

geocities.com/iwweducation/news.html

[note: blatant plug! smile ]

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
12 May, 2006 - 11:34

aye, EWN member said on the EWN email list that he has been told that there will be a 20% reduction to pay to all those taking part in the industrial action from 27th of May in his workplace...

things are heating up!

catch "unpractical[sic] and blinkered"
Posts: 10024 Joined: 07-02-06 Location: London
13 May, 2006 - 13:51

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4767183.stm

Quote:
Academics at Northumbria University have voted to go on strike indefinitely, in a serious escalation of the higher education pay dispute.

The vote - at an "angry" and "determined" union meeting - was sparked by the university's decision to stop paying about a dozen staff.

Rob Ray "The difficulty with unions is how to turn grump into thump."
Posts: 3158 Joined: 06-11-03 Location: England
13 May, 2006 - 14:03

The Times have done a hatchet job on it in today's paper, double page spread saying 'the AUT have refused a 12% pay offer' but not actually mentioning the whole 'promised 33%' bit, and whinging about how the entire university system will be compromised because of those lazy academics roll eyes .