University College London

News: Nottingham Trent University management de-recognise UCU

Dear UCLUCU Member,

Attached below is a copy of the message of support sent by UCLUCU Exec Committee to Nottingham Trent University (NTU) UCU branch colleagues following the decision by NTU management to de-recognise UCU.

See Appendix 1 below for a report by national UCU Campaigns team including advice on action by members and a link to the NTU UCU on-line petition.

Best wishes

Rob Jones

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM UCLUCU COMMITTEE:

Dear Colleagues

We are appalled at the decision by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) management to de-recognise the UCU, the union for college lecturers, researchers and academic related staff. Instead of being treated as members of a democratic union, staff are being told to participate in a "consultative forum" under management control - the type of "trade union" favoured by dictatorships the world over.

We do not doubt that the attack on UCU is simultaneously an attack on the principle of an effective and independent voice for staff, and thus their academic freedom, in addition to being a harbinger of future cuts in jobs and terms and conditions.

We believe, therefore, that NTU presents a prima facie case for greylisting, which we urge UCU to investigate with all speed. We pledge our utmost support for NTU UCU and call on NTU management to step back from the abyss and reverse this clumsy and damaging attack.

UCL UCU Executive Committee

APPENDIX 1:

*UCU derecognised at Nottingham Trent University*

Nottingham Trent University has formally terminated recognition of UCU in a direct attack on independent trade unionism on the campus.

The university has been attempting to rewrite the recognition agreement for months, proposing a set of radically inferior arrangements that would see the campus unions marginalized in favour of a 'consultation and information forum' that would include non-union representation, while facility time for reps would be cut by a staggering 80%.

UCU has attempted to negotiate with the university but managers have refused to move one inch from these proposals and on Friday, they formally terminated the recognition agreement with three months notice, a full six months less than is stipulated in the agreement!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Support your colleagues at Nottingham Trent. This is an attack not just on UCU members at Nottingham Trent, but on all UCU members everywhere. The managers of every university and every college in the country will be watching.

Members' solidarity has already helped to erode management intransigence at another university recently. We need your help again now. Please take a couple of minutes to sign the branch's online petition below:

"We the undersigned request that the governors of Nottingham Trent University use their good offices to ensure that the existing Recognition & Procedures Agreement is honoured until such time as a new agreement is negotiated with Nottingham Trent University UCU in good faith."

*SIGN NOW* by clicking here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/unionattack

*Please pass this email on to your colleagues and ask them to sign*

Please also send the branch messages of support. Email your message to campaigns@ucu.org.uk now and we will forward them on.