University College London

Nottingham Trent: Union de-recognition

Dear UCLUCU Member,

Please find attached below a message from UCLUCU Exec Committee concerning the critical importance of UCU support for members at Nottingham Trent University where management is intending to proceed with the formal termination of union recognition next week.

Best wishes

Rob Jones

FROM UCLUCU EXEC COMMITTEE:

Dear Colleague

You will likely have received an email from Sally Hunt about problems at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). The University has unilaterally ceased the formal recognition agreement that permits the union to operate freely and requires the University to negotiate over changes to staff contracts.

On Wednesday of this week, thanks to the intervention of the conciliation service ACAS, a negotiation meeting between UCU and Nottingham Trent University management took place. Unfortunately, in spite of hard work and goodwill from UCU negotiators, UCU reports that the parties were unable to reach an agreement. The summary of the current situation is as follows:

Progress has been made on two of our key demands:

• Agreement that the proposed consultation forum would be distinct from the negotiating procedures
• Agreement to a separate forum to discuss matters relating solely to academic and related staff.

However the talks eventually concluded without agreement, as NTU management were not prepared either to:

• Honour the notice requirements in the existing recognition agreement or sufficiently extend the negotiating timetable (they offered just 1 month); or
• Offer reasonable time-off for union reps to resolve members' problems in line with sector norms.

No agreement was reached either on what would be proportionate representation for UCU at any future negotiation forum. NTU management's current proposals would mean that UCU could always be outvoted on contentious issues. As an act of goodwill, UCU negotiators conceded that providing agreement was reached on the detailed issues associated with our essential rights and ability to negotiate, the union could consider participating in the wider consultation forum, so long as it remained distinct from negotiation procedures and UCU were entitled to a separate forum to discuss matters relating solely to academic and related staff.

The ACAS talks show that a negotiated settlement is still possible. Yet, as things stand, NTU management intends to proceed with the formal termination of union recognition next week.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1) Join the demonstration on Monday 6th October

Nottingham Trent University UCU has called a rally at the University on Monday 6th October from 12.30pm outside the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (where the VC will be delivering a series of speeches throughout the day).

In order for us to deliver as much public support as possible, London Region UCU has booked a coach to take UCU members to the rally. The coach will be leaving from outside the UCU HQ in Britannia Street, near Kings Cross, at 9.00am and returning late afternoon. National UCU are paying for the coach (donations are welcome!).

UCL UCU has been asked to bring our banner and seek volunteers to be part of our delegation. Please consider whether you are able to book time off on Monday 6th to attend. To book a seat, email Sean Wallis on s.wallis@ucl.ac.uk.

2) Collect signatures on the national petition

You can sign the petition online, as per Sally Hunt's email.

Very many staff, including those who are not currently members of UCU, will recognise that the loss of union rights at a British university sets a dangerous precedent. Therefore we would encourage colleagues to download the printable PDF petition from <here> and ask colleagues to sign. If they are not yet a member of UCU, then do encourage them to join.

The issue will be discussed more fully at the first UCU General Meeting of the term on 2 October (1pm, Cruciform Lecture Theatre 1).