Newsletter (May 2021)

Richmond UCU Members’ Newsletter (May 2021)

We have had several changes and actions taken since our last newsletter in March 2021. These have included holding our second Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 17 May, our second Joint Negotiations and Consultation Committee (JNCC) meeting on 20 May with senior management, and the launch of the UCU Occupational Stress Survey.

UCU Occupational Stress Survey

Stress is endemic in the higher education sector, and is becoming a leading cause of injury in the workplace. To find out faculty’s level and experience of stress at Richmond, the Branch launched the Occupational Stress Survey on the 18th May. The findings will be used to:

  1. advocate for improved working conditions at Richmond
  2. inform the Richmond UCU position on the Faculty Progression and Promotion Model and consultation and negotiation with senior management
  3. build a campaign to tackle stress in the workplace

A special meeting will take place with senior management at the end of June to discuss the findings. It is critical that we collect information from as many faculty as possible before the deadline of 4 June.

If you haven’t already, please complete the survey at: UCU Occupational Stress Survey

Annual General Meeting

At the AGM, the new Branch Committee was ratified. We also passed several motions that (1) changed the Branch Constitution, (2) expressed solidarity and thanks for the work of the first Branch Committee, and (3) showed our support of colleagues’ actions at other HE institutions.

  • Green Officer, Health and Safety Officer, and RIASA (Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy in Leeds) Officer were added to the Branch Committee. These reflect our commitment to represent the interests of all Richmond’s faculty, to ensure safe working conditions and faculty’s health and wellbeing, and to put environmental concerns at the forefront of our Branch and university.
  • The Branch stated its support for the UCU academic boycott of the University of Leicester. You will have already received an email encouraging all members to support University of Leicester colleagues.

We discussed issues critical to the membership, such as the return to face-to-face teaching, health and safety of faculty, and the on-going work of the Faculty Workload, Promotion, and Progress Committee (FWPP). Samantha Bracey is the UCU representative on the FWPP Committee, so please contact herwith any questions or concerns. The Branch Committee also announced a membership recruitment drive, which will be taking place over the next year, focused on RIASA faculty and Adjunct Faculty. Please be in touch for ways to be involved.


Joint Negotiations and Consultation Committee (JNCC)

The Chair, Employee Rep Officer, and UCU Regional Officer, Barry Jones, met with senior management on 20 May at a JNCC meeting. During the meeting, we

  • were given detailed information about the university’s finances and current draft budget. While we cannot currently share details, the budget is expected to be approved in the next few weeks, after which time it will be shared with faculty.
  • expressed members’ concerns about workload and stress in the workplace. Senior management agreed to our request that all future compulsory training will have a longer and more flexible period in which to be complete it.
  • announced the launch of the UCU Occupational Stress Survey. As the issue of stress is of critical importance for the health and safety of faculty at Richmond, a special meeting has been arranged between the UCU and the senior management team to discuss findings at the end of June.

The Branch Committee will be busy over the summer as we continue to advocate for the interests of faculty, develop campaigns, and plan activities for the Fall. For us to be effective representatives, we need to hear from you.

Together we can improve working conditions at Richmond.