Report of the Higher Education Service Group Executive meeting held on Friday 19th July 1996 This meeting was originally scheduled for 26th July and brought forward to discuss the recent round of pay offers. I apologise for the length of the report (but thought you might like to know what was discussed in reasonable detail) and spelling mistakes (caused by a combination of illiteracy and lousy typing technique) - I hope you find it useful! 1 Arising from previous meetings: Equal Pay cases It was reported that the small number of cases being undertaken did not reflect the injustices of pay inequality in Higher Education, and that branches and regions should be pressed to look for more of them. It was also reported that support was available through legal services and that help and advice was available from that source. All branches are urged to investigate and report suitable cases. Profit Related Pay It was reported that advice on PRP has been sent out in line with the decision taken in May, and that there appeared to be a number of ballots failing at the present time - despite the fact that with no legal requirements to follow, many employers seem to have found ways to 'bend' the rules to encourage the 80% 'yes' votes required. It was expected however that some institutions would be looking towards introducing schemes next year. SGE policy remains to actively oppose all such schemes. 2 Pay & Conditions claims and strategy It was reported that the following offers had been made in Higher Education: All non-manual/non teaching staff groups - 1.5% All manual groups - 2.5% Old Universities teaching staff - 1.5% New Universities teaching staff not yet in talks, but expecting a 1.5% offer. Rough figures were circulated to show that the employer's offer would mean a pay rise of approximately 10p an hour on APT&C average earnings, and 9p an hour on average manual pay rates. All bargaining groups in which UNISON has 'control' have rejected the offers made to them, while AUT are due to hold a meeting of their special council in early September. T&G are recommending rejection in a ballot of members and NATFHE are thought likely to reject. It was also reported that officers of HE trade unions were to meet on Monday 22nd to discuss 'common issues' and the current situation, with a possible outcome being closer liaison and greater inter-union cooperation. It was agreed to fully support the negotiating teams that had rejected the offers out of hand, and that the offers themselves were both derisory and insulting (not a hard conclusion to reach!) There was some criticism over slow progress in generating publicity to support the campaign, and that many members see the current pay claim as a non-event. There was also concern that with news of job losses and threatened redundancies hitting the headlines, there was a genuine reticence on the part of HE staff to support the pay claim, or activity following the offers already made. It was agreed that if there were to be any action following our rejection of pay offers this would need to be supported by immediate and regular publicity, emphasising such issues as MPs 26% pay rise and the recent announcement that Government are seeking to impose yet another year of 'public sector pay restraint' next year. Despite some views that members would not take action this year, the SGE agreed that following a number of years going backwards with less than inflation pay settlements, present government thinking, and a growing climate of dissatisfaction it was necessary and right to pursue the matter this year - particularly in view of the fact that a number of institutions had budgeted for pay rises up to 3%, and that the employers seem in some discord and disarray this year. It was also agreed that issues surrounding the subject of work-related stress would provide a significant focus for part of the on-going campaign. With reference to Motion 1 on Pay and Grading passed at Service Group Conference it was agreed that policy on pursuance and support to this year's pay claims had been set, and it was the SGE's responsibility to carry it out (well, there's a first time for everything!). Consequently, a press release in the name of the SGE is in preparation and should be published very shortly. NOTE: The printed copy of this report - to be circulated shortly in NW region - carries detail of the decisions and strategy agreed by the SGE. For obvious reasons it isn't wise to publish this information on the list. What CAN be reported is that ALL branches are urged to convene branch/general meetings to discuss pay, in the light of the employer's riduculous, insulting and unrealistic offer, it's rejection by national negotiators and the SGE's decision to make a fight of it!. The Working Group set up to oversee strategy and publicity will meet again in the very near future, and reported considerable difficulty in obtaining publicity materials agreed within the timetable it laid down in meetings between February and May. It was agreed in view of lengthy publishing lead times to reschedule publication of leaflets already in development, and to look at urgent production of materials in support of the campaign - particularly to ensure that all members are made aware that there IS a campaign and that it is continuing. Branches producing local publicity on pay this year are urged to send copies to Mabledon Place for wider use, and to establish local and regional contacts and action groups if not already in place. 3 Future Industrial Relations Framework This issue is a continuation of discussion on the number and arrangement of bargaining groups in Higher Education as we attempt to move toward single-status/single table bargaining, and as part of the agreed settlement of last year's pay & conditions claim. It was reported that a meeting between all HE trade unions and the employers was held on 5th June to discuss possible mergers of current bargaining groups, but that there was some reticence to make progress on the part of some of the unions involved because of the 'different perspectives' involved. The UCEA don't seem to be prepared to push any process of change without the unions concerned reaching agreement, but even so are keen to see the number of bargaining groups reduce where merging them is feasible. There was some concern that reducing the number of bargaining groups was of greater benefit to the employers under these circumstances, since there was little advantage to HE staff before harmonisation of terms and conditions. However, the meeting was a 'first' and reported to be useful. 4 Higher Education Funding & Strategy It was reported that the lobby of parliament on 25th June had been well attended and successful, and that it was agreed to continue with a joint union/CVCP campaign against funding cuts - with recognition that in the immediate term the pay issue was of higher priority, and likely to influence the relationship with the CVCP to some extent. It was agreed to continue the political aspect of the joint campaign, though not at the expense of pay, and that we should remain committed to the campaign for proper levels of Higher Education funding into the future. 5 Dearing Committee of Enquiry into Higher Education It was reported that UNISON would be consulted in the drafting of the report, and agreed that Ron Deering should be invited to attend the Branch Seminar this year. Branches are also to be asked to approach Vice Chancellors to establish UNISON issues as part of any institutional response. It was also agreed that Sector Committees would be consulted for their views on the UNISON response. 6 Competencies Consortium A report was received which outlined the history and development of the scheme, and defined the current position in terms of UNISON policy which following receipt of assurances and direct involvement was now to cooperate in those institutions targeted in the pilot scheme. It was agreed that Sector Committees should be asked to nominate individuals to form a working group which would examine the draft report being produced, and that in view of the complexities of any evaluation scheme, that the SGE should receive a full briefing. On a wider basis, it was felt that any scheme should be nationally negotiated to avoid the risk that local employers could pick and choose the elements to implement, with consequent risks to national terms and conditions and grading structures. It was agreed that as these issues become clearer it will be necessary to continue detailed examination of the scheme and it's implications. 7 Transfer of Colleges of Health into Higher Education This has become an issue of some importance to us since these colleges were recently placed in the Higher Education sector. Since that time a number of organisational and practical difficulties have been encountered, in particular relating to nurse/tutors and the service provided by the union at a time when it is not clear whether they are best served from within Higher Education or Health SG branches, and whether it would be prudent to develop links with other unions in order to ensure that professional advice is available. It was agreed that it was necessary to develop a close liaison with the Health service group, perhaps by means of a small panel drawn from the executives of the two SGs, and that while it was too late to resolve problems which had come to light during this year, it was important to avoid the same difficulties in the future. As far as Project 2000 students, it was agreed that these should be recruited directly into local Higher Education branches, since they were being paid by the institutions concerned. Overall, it was agreed that the lack of adequate organisation during the year had led to many members being lost to the RCN and other nursing bodies. 8 Arising from Service Group Conference A list of conference decisions was presented with the SGE agreeing to the following: (Note that these are only very brief summaries) 8.1 Pay and Grading - since this had been covered in earlier discussion, it was agreed that this policy was now being enacted. 8.2 Harmonisation - reported that a database of HE institutional contacts was in the late stages of preparation, (having been delayed by necessary work in support of the new UMS) and that the survey required in the motion would be carried out soon after completion. It was also agreed that since expertise in service conditions issues and specific concerns was the provide of Sector Committees, they should be asked to nominate members of a working group to develop detailed proposals and timescales for harmonisation. 8.3 Negotiating Arrangements - As reported previously, the employer is already being pressed on the subject of reduction in the number of bargaining groups, with other areas of policy already covered in this year's pay & conditions claims. It was agreed that a report on progress and a suitable strategy to meet UNISON objectives would be drawn up for HE conference in 1997. 8.4 Flexible Working & Working Time - Work on the development of a strategy will be undertaken as quickly as possible, though other issues (such as pay and bargaining arrangements) should have clear priority. Currently, research is being undertaken on appropriate flexible working schemes, with the intention to present recommendations to the SGE in the near future. 8.5 Transfer of Colleges of Health & Pension Rights Work relating to this motion is being undertaken. 8.6 Student Supervision The survey of branches will be undertaken when the database is complete, though some information is already available from previous work on this subject. Issues surrounding the development of a national grading structure will be pursued when a clearer picture of current arrangements is available. 8.7 Holidays Point 24 (Old Universities Manuals) This will be referred to the appropriate Sector Committee, with a view to it's inclusion in future bargaining with the employers. 8.8 Staff Development Consultation with branches will be undertaken as soon as practicable, with a report to conference in 1997. 8.9 Eradicating Homophobia in the Higher Education Service Group and 8.10 Homophobia and Immigration It was agreed that there was a need to develop positive links with self-organised groups, and that seeking to establish these would be on the agenda for the newly elected SGE. Views are to be sought from self organised groups in advance of future discussions. 8.11 RSI With considerable H&S material already in circulation, the profile of RSI is already high, but not high enough. It was agreed that further reinforcement was necessary, perhaps with a Higher Education perspective. 8.12 Health & Safety COnsultation in Higher Education Close liaison with the H&S Committee will be sought, with the view to establishing practical help. 8.13 Stress This had already been included on all pay & conditions claims this year, and advice will be developed with a Higher Education perspective where appropriate. There was a need to look at whether the GPF could be used to help fund a research project on the development of policies on work related stress, using the services of an external stress expert. Branches would be urged to raise stress as a H&S issue. The stress questionnaire would present greater difficulties since there was a need to be very sensitive in the form and nature of questions being asked. In the absence of an adequate 'model' questionnaire, a number of options would be looked at. It was also possible that a special conference on the subject could be arranged. 8.Comp A Higher Education Funding and the November 1995 Budget Cuts Much of the policy agreed was in hand and being pursued through the cross-union joint campaigns and links with the employers. Links with the APF are being sought. 8.17 Higher Education Funding Policy covered in this motion is already in hand and being pursued. 9 Executive and Branch Seminars Both events will take place late this year, on a timetable essentially set by the election of the new SGE. Of particular interest, the Branch Seminar is due to take place in early December. --------------- The meeting closed at 4.00pm with much of the agenda left outstanding. For those that have read this far.... you've probably got a flavour of the meeting! Thanks go to Andy Okrim for this report Last Update: 23/07/96 Go to top of this document Go back to my Home Page Prepared for WWW by laurie.fenwick@sunderland.ac.uk© 1996