Members were apprised of discussions with management over the development of Teaching & Scholarship Contracts, research time allocation and UoB’s use of external partnerships There was also an update on TCP.

Following a brief introduction members were asked to consider Motion 1 in response to a request from Nottingham University UCU. Staff there were stunned to learn of proposals to sack around a quarter of the workforce (c700 staff) as well as the right off of some £26 million following a botched property acquisition. Once again, staff are the casualties when management make mistakes.

Motion 1 – Solidarity with UCU University of Nottingham
UoB UCU approves a £500 donation from branch funds to UCU UoN hardship fund.
Motion passed unopposed.

Teaching & Scholarship Contracts
Management are proposing the development of teaching only contracts for those staff for whom research is less important.
The branch has asked for terms and conditions of negotiation, and will return to colleagues for their views on the aspects of the proposals once we have them.
At this stage the branch opposes the introduction of separate ‘non-research’ contracts of employment and will argue that only role descriptions need to be adjusted.
Some staff expressed concern that there could be discrimination/equity issues, that the move would effectively remove research options entirely from some staff, and that only research that aligned with research institutes would be funded under this model.
In the matter of equality it was noted that the removal of critical EDI roles, and the pausing of Athena Swan accreditation said much about management attitudes to equality more broadly. UCU will be pressing for EIA’s and mitigation steps in relation to this and things like a review of the Bradford Academic (essential in the light of T&S proposals to protect career paths).
The branch’s minimum demands in relation to T&S negotiation were outlined.

Research Time Allocation
UCU continue in their objection to the implementation of RDR; management have failed completely to consult on this matter and have rejected UCU proposals for an interim arrangement to allow time for consultation to take place.
Branch advice to members is NOT to upload RDR forms to sharepoint pending the outcome of a meeting with management due to take place on 27th May.
Members may consider it sensible to share their submission with a line manager in the interim; branch will advise on meeting outcome promptly, bearing in mind the 1st June deadline for submission.

Partnership Agreements
UCU understands that UoB have entered into a new agreement with Oxford International Education Group (OIEG).
OIEG will deliver existing programme content to students on their London Campus using their own staff.
We consider this to be outsourcing of teaching provision that will have serious implications for jobs at UoB.

Motion 2 – External Partnerships
• The UoB UCU LA believes:
– That the use of external private providers to undertake core business is outsourcing and so jeopardises jobs here at UoB
– That such outsourcing represents an attack on the terms and conditions of HE workers, both at UoB and within the sector as a whole
• The UoB UCU LA resolves to oppose the outsourcing of work to external private providers
Motion passed unopposed

Members are encouraged to pass on any information they have about partnerships, including advising if they have been directed to or asked whether they will consider participating in such an initiative.

You can view slides from the meeting here.