While the UK government and official scientific advisors are not yet recommending gatherings and meetings are cancelled, Birmingham University UNISON have decided to follow a precautionary approach, not least because we recognise that a number of members would have felt particularly anxious about attending a meeting of 50+ people in the current climate. Under…
Please find below the email sent by UoB UNISON joint branch secretary, Mike Moore (on behalf of UNISON, UCU and Unite) on Friday 13th March (morning) to Gillian McGrattan (Human Resources), Louise Kindon (Human Resources), Stephanie Humphrey (Human Resources), Leslie Wright (Human Resources), Mark Sterling – DPVC Staffing, Philippa Hawkins (Workplace Wellbeing). CC’ed reps from…
So as not to cross the UCU Strikes pickets, we decided a few weeks ago to delay our AGM from the 4th of March to the 17th of March 10am-12pm (with lunch served afterwards). You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM. Check the email for the nomination form! If you’re interested in…
In light of the coronavirus likelihood in places traversed by many people, we fear the real risk of The Edgbaston Park Hotel (The University of Birmingham’s wholly-owned and outsourced subsidiary company) staff coming in whatever happens because they can’t afford to be sick due to their very low contractual rights. We are continuing to urge everyone…
Interested in getting more actively involved in the branch? Why not attend the next committee meeting? It will take place in G22 Nuffield Building tomorrow at 5pm. The meetings are informal and you don’t need to bring anything – we would really appreciate your feedback and can give you an idea of what’s going on and how you can…
23 days ago, we sent a letter to the directors of Finance and HR (see below) and requested clarifications and reassurances that student workers and staff will not be affected yet again by incorrect, overly taxed or delayed payments (as has been the case over the past 6 months). We have yet to receive a…
End of dispute Last week members voted to accept the University’s offer and brought the dispute to a close (which will lead to every staff member having a pay rise of between 43-45p/hour). To read the branch press release, please visit this page: https://uobunison.org.uk/end-of-dispute. The decision was a difficult one – while strike action has…
In the past month, four truly frightening articles have been published in the Student online magazine The Tab and The Guardian about the University of Birmingham’s lack of response, empathy and support for survivors of sexual assault. We are shocked and disappointed by the news and we urge the University to review its policies and…
On Friday afternoon last week (right before the start of UCU’s 8 consecutive days of strike action), Provost Tim Jones sent an email to all staff and Pro-VC Kathleen Armour sent an email to all students. The emails portrayed UCU’s plans to picket university buildings as ‘unlawful’ (Jones) and ‘not allowed’ (Armour). Jones’ email reads: ‘The…
Monday 25th November For immediate release Following a protracted campaign involving six days of strike action on key dates including graduation and open days, UNISON members at the University of Birmingham have voted to accept an improved offer from the University and bring their dispute to a close. The offer equates to 4.85% for band…
