Local UCU officers, Denis Nicole and John Langley, hand a copy of the petition to UUK requesting a fair USS to the vice-chancellor, Professor Don Nutbeam.
USS – Vice-Chancellor accepts UCU petition
Reply
Category Archives: Local Campaign
Southampton Academics Put Pressure on the VC over USS
We welcome the independent effort of staff in Geography and ECS in supporting the fight against proposed changes to the USS pension scheme.
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Dear Prof Nutbeam,
We would like to share with you how concerned your colleagues are regarding the proposed abolition of the Final Salary Scheme (FSS). Such a change would significantly affect both established and early career staff who have been encouraged to make future plans on the provisions of this scheme. We are deeply concerned that Southampton has been pulled into a proposal that could produce significant decreases in the financial security of staff.
We are particularly concerned at the lack of transparency surrounding this issue. Indeed, there are increasing reasons to dispute some of the fundamental conclusions that underpin the proposed changes.
Therefore we appeal to you that you withdraw the University of Southampton from the USS / Universities proposal that includes elimination of the Final Salary Scheme.
To elaborate, we support the letter from the group of internationally recognised statisticians concerning the errors in the Employers Pension Forum regarding “Proposed Changes to USS – Myths, Misconceptions and Misunderstandings”.
Furthermore, we agree with the questions raised by Oxford Professor Cooper regarding the assumptions behind the valuation of the Pension Fund. In particular
“It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the proposed decrease in our pension benefits is due to an unreasonable method of calculating the deficit and a mis-conceived reaction to it. Central UCU officers have been arguing with USS for a more sensible valuation method, but so far without success….Since most of the USS investments are not in gilts, it is not at all clear that this is a sensible way to estimate the liabilities, especially when the gilts market is in an unusual state. The problem is not the investment strategy, which has performed well, but the calculation method.”
We were informed that the changes introduced in 2011 would assure the future viability of USS, details here.
We also agree with the Hutton Pension report’s recommendation on Final Salary Schemes that these should be respected as well as protected, that the cost in erosion of trust is too high.
Based on the conclusions of both eminent experts and third party professional analysis provided by the UCU, and in concert with the Hutton report’s recommendations, we do not see a fair basis for the radical set of proposals put forward by the Universities/USS.
We therefore request that you act on behalf of your colleagues and assume a leadership role in these pension discussions and withdraw the University of Southampton from supporting any proposal that would disband the Final Salary Scheme.
Members of Electronics & Computer Science
Thomas Andritsch
Markus Brede
Michael Butler
John Carter
Paul Chappell
Martin Charlton
George Chen
Sheng Chen
Harold Chong
Tim Chown
Bing Chu
Enrico Costanza
Richard Crowder
Hugh Davis
Maruitis de Planque
Terry Elliot
Julian Field
Chris Freeman
Stephen B Gabriel
Enrico Gerding
Lester Gilbert
Nick Gibbins
Igor Golosnoy
Nicolas Green
Basal Halak
Lajos Hanzo
Nick Harris
Jonathon Hare
Yvonne Howard
Jack Hunter
Lie-Liang
Paul Lewin
Joyce Lewis
Sasan Mahmoodi
Koushik Maharatna
Kirk Martinez
Rob Maunder
Iain McNally
Geoff Merrett
David Millard
Hywel Morgan
Brendan Neville
Mahesan Niranjan
Michael Ng
Reena Pau
James Pilgrim
Maria Polukarov
Themis Prodromakis
Mike Poppleton
Sarvapali Ramchurn
Bill Redman White
Jeff Reeve
Alex Rogers
Eric Rogers
Vladimiro Sassone
m.c. schraefel
Sebastian Stein
Colin Upstill
Alun Vaughan
Mike Wald
Richard Watson
Alex S Weddell
Neil White
Reuben Wilcock
James Wilkinson
Peter Wilson
Ed Zaluska
Klaus-Peter Zauner
Rong Zhang
Mark Zwolinski
Members of Geography & Environment
Pete Atkinson
Sam Cockings
Nick Clarke
Steve Darby
John Dearing
James Dyke
Mary Edwards
Lyn Ertl
Jane Hart
Paul Hughes
Pete Langdon
Julian Leyland
Graham Moon
Jo Nield
Suzanne Reimer
Emma Roe
Gareth Roberts
David Sear
Luigi Sedda
Peter Sunley
Richard Teves
Emma Tompkins
Julie Vullnetari
Nicola Waldrop
Eleanor Wilkinson
Living Wage – the University’s recent statement on SUSSED
Dear colleagues
Earlier today you may have seen a statement issued by the University regarding recent negotiations on the Living Wage at the University of Southampton.
We at UCU, UNISON and Unite wish to make clear that we in no way endorse this statement, and further, we believe that this statement thoroughly misrepresents the facts. The issue of the Living Wage was first brought to the University’s attention at the Joint Negotiating Committee on 18 October 2013, following an initial FOI request sent by Southampton Living Wage Campaign on 13 August 2013. A paper was presented on this issue at the JNC which was fully endorsed by all three unions.
At this initial JNC discussion the University responded that they would re-evaluate their position on the Living Wage only after the resolution of the 2013/2014 pay claim. In the months since, all three unions have consistently and visibly campaigned on the Living Wage and fair pay for the lowest-paid University staff, and it is only after these months of campaigning that the University has put forward this Living Wage supplement.
Throughout this dispute, all three union branches at this University have continued to negotiate on local issues, and at no point have we ceased cooperation due to the current national situation. The University, in contrast, has repeatedly refused to negotiate formally on local concerns for the duration of the dispute, and has told us that they have no plans to strive to be a true Living Wage Employer.
The current statement on SUSSED does not acknowledge the contribution of unions and their members at this University in bringing this issue to the fore, nor does it accept responsibility for the University’s own refusals to engage on this and other issues for the duration of the current pay dispute.
UCU, UNISON and Unite at the University of Southampton
Day of Action – 6 February 2014
On Thursday 6 February 2014, Southampton UCU, UNISON and Unite members joined colleagues across the UK in taking strike action for fair pay in UK higher education. EIS in Scotland also participated in this joint industrial action.
Southampton University staff braved the monsoon-like weather to stand on picket lines throughout Highfield and Avenue campuses and disseminate flyers informing students and passersby about the current pay dispute. Members also solicited signatures on a petition which is drawing attention to the issue of skyrocketing senior management pay in universities and the growing wage inequality in the sector generally.
At 11AM members gathered outside Building 37, the home of University management. Malcolm Ace (Chief Operating Officer), Professor Adam Wheeler (Provost), and Janice Donaldson (Director of HR) come out to talk with strikers about the pay issue and listen to their concerns. Afterward there was a brief rally before strikers were urged to make their way home, dry out and warm up!
Thanks to all who came out to join us despite the weather. UCU will be taking further strike action for two hours on Monday from 9-11AM; please come and show your support.
Strikers outside B37
Gathering to hear some speakers
Malcolm Ace (Chief Operating Officer) comes out to speak with strikers
Spirits were high despite the downpour!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvGwTw1XxqI
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Eric Silverman
Southampton UCU President
IMPORTANT: Information on strike action Thursday 6 Feb and feedback from 28 Jan
Colleagues
Firstly a big thank you to all of you who supported the second 2-hour walk-out on Tuesday afternoon. It was a great day of action with around 50 members occupying the Arlott Bar for a teach-in. Members joined in lively discussions on various important issues in higher education, including recruitment and retention at the University and concerns for the future of HE, and we rounded the strike off with a tribute to folk singer and activist Pete Seegar with a rendition of “Union Maid”. Many of you who weren’t able to attend the teach-in withdrew your labour by cancelling classes and meetings and just absenting yourselves from your workplaces – we would ask that you help us show what impact the action is having by completing this very short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ucustrike28thJanuary2014
A reminder that the next 2-hour walk-out is planned for Monday 10 February from 9.00 – 11.00 am. Further details on this to follow.
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Secondly you will all be aware of the next full day of strike action planned for Thursday 6 February. This involves all three campus trade unions – UCU, UNISON and Unite – as well as the Scottish union EIS. We are currently planning our joint local strategy and will be meeting with sister unions later this week. Once we have firm plans in place we will send these out to you. In the meantime we would ask you to:
Publicise the Pay Campaign as widely as possible within your department/academic unit by printing out and displaying the attached posters/leaflets. These are intended to get students and non-members thinking about the action, so the more people that see these, the better.
*Poster 1 http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/k/8/ucu_hepay_a4stacksposter.pdf
*Poster 2 http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf
*Leaflet 1: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/2/t/ucu_hepay_stacksflyer.pdf
*Leaflet 2: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/m/g/ucu_hepay_bulgeflyer.pdf
Talk to students and colleagues about the action and explain why you are taking part.
Sign the online petition calling for University management to urge UCEA to return to the negotiating table http://www.fairpayinhe.org.uk/
We are aware that University management are continuing to send out Faculty-wide emails asking that “union members who intend to take strike action inform their line manager by email or writing as soon as possible”. We would reiterate that you do NOT have to alert your line manager about your decision to take strike action in advance. When asked afterwards, however, you MUST answer truthfully. See UCU strike FAQs here: http://fairpay.web.ucu.org.uk/strike-questions/
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Thirdly, as part of the ongoing dispute, we would like to remind members that we are still working to contract – further information on what this means and how you can support this action can be found here: http://fairpay.web.ucu.org.uk/working-to-contract-what-action-is-the-union-asking-me-to-take/
Thanks for your continued support
Southampton UCU
Two-hour strike on 23 January
Southampton UCU members participated in the first of three two-hour strikes in support of fair pay in higher education. We saw strong turnout and media interest, with stories appearing in the Daily Echo, BBC South Today, and the Morning Star, along with local websites like portswood.info and others.
Members picketed Building 37, the home of University senior management, to express our discontent at the increasing wage gap between top earners at the University and academic staff. Vice-Chancellor Don Nutbeam spoke to strikers about the pay issue, and members challenged him very robustly on issues ranging from zero-hours contracts and the living wage campaign, to the broader national issue of the 2013 pay claim.
The next two-hour strike will take place from 2-4PM on 28 January, with another to follow on 10 February. A day of joint union strike action on 6 February will incorporate all three on-campus trade unions (UCU, UNISON and Unite).
Some pictures of the events yesterday:
Southampton UCU gathering in the Piazza
Preparing to move to Building 37
Picketing Building 37
Coverage on BBC South Today
Members debating the issues with Vice-Chancellor Don Nutbeam
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Eric Silverma
Southampton UCU President
Information for Thursday’s action
Dear members,
A reminder that we are taking industrial action on Thursday 23 January between 11am and 1pm in support of the campaign for Fair Pay in HE. ALL MEMBERS should withdraw their labour between these hours.
We will be gathering at the UCU office at 47 University Road promptly at 11AM. Please join us to show your support for the campaign. We have placards, flyers and other materials for distribution on the day.
As this is a new form of action for us, UCU has prepared a useful FAQ on the website. The document summarises various useful points about this type of action, so please have a read: http://fairpay.web.ucu.org.uk/your-questions-answered/taking-2-hour-strike-action/
We’ve also produced a series of posters and information sheets and would ask that you print these out and display in your department/academic unit.
*Poster 1 http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/k/8/ucu_hepay_a4stacksposter.pdf
*Poster 2 http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/6/ucu_hepay_a4bulgeposter.pdf
*Leaflet 1: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/2/t/ucu_hepay_stacksflyer.pdf
*Leaflet 2: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/m/g/ucu_hepay_bulgeflyer.pdf
On Thursday please do the following:
- Set up an out of office message during the 2 hour strike. Something like this – “I am currently taking industrial action in support ofUCU’s campaign for Fair Pay in HE and not able to deal with your email. I will be back at my desk after the action concludes.”
- Print out the “On strike desk poster” (sent to you by email) and pin on your door/computer/workstation which states that you are currently on strike.
- Come along to the picket lines.
Throughout the upcoming period of action please do the following:
- Talk to students and colleagues about the action and explain why you are taking part.
- If you have ideas for future actions or would like to get more involved, tell us!
- Please distribute our new joint trade union newsletter, Southampton Solidarity (sent to you via email), to your students and colleagues
Further points of clarification:
- Members at Avenue, NOCS and other University sites, please come join us at Highfield! This action should be a good opportunity for us to convene in one place, discuss issues facing staff at the University and plan for our next action.
- Contrary to what you may have heard elsewhere, remember that you are NOT under any obligation to tell your line manager about your decision to participate in the strike action prior to the action itself. You must respond truthfully if and only if you are asked afterward.
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Eric Silverman
Southampton UCU President
The Vice-Chancellor’s Pay Rise
The University quietly announced yesterday that Vice-Chancellor Don Nutbeam has accepted a £17,000 pay rise, taking his salary up to £294,000. He has also had £39,000 paid into his pension pot by the University.
Following the strike action, the Vice-Chancellor told us that there was no chance of any movement on the 1% pay offer, as the University is not in a sustainable financial position. As we can see from this 6% pay rise, and the jump from 64 people on £100k+ in 2011 to 299 people in 2012, there is certainly money around — but apparently only for those on the top of the scale.
Meanwhile, staff are expected to cope with yet another real-terms pay cut, 140 staff at the university earn less than the living wage, and 198 of our lecturers are on zero-hours contracts. For our many colleagues who earn less than £17,000 in an entire year, seeing the Vice-Chancellor accepting this pay rise is simply insulting.
Our union’s demands are reasonable and proportionate — as outlined in the initial pay claim, we want our pay to go up in line with prices, action to address the gender pay gap, progress on disability leave and living wages on campus. Doing these things would make our universities more supportive and equitable places to work. We suggest that if the University can afford to pay the VC twice the salary of the Prime Minister, it can afford to pay a decent wage to the staff that actually keep the university running every day.
Your support so far has been brilliant, with over 200 of us at the rally on the 3rd, and many more taking part in the strike. It’s vital that we continue to work together, and with our colleagues in UNISON and Unite to demand fair pay on campus.
If you think pay rises shouldn’t just be for Don Nutbeam, then please do the following:
Email the Southampton UCU office letting us know why you think this is unacceptable
Speak to your colleagues, inform them of this and encourage them to join the union if they haven’t already done so
Email University senior management and ask them to justify this pay increase, when they are telling staff they can’t afford fair pay on campus.
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Eric Silverman
Southampton UCU President
Strike action feedback
Dear members,
Yesterday’s strike action was a rousing success! We had great support on the picket lines, covering all the most important and visible locations both at Highfield and Avenue Campuses, and our colleagues at UNISON and Unite greatly increased our visibility and impact.
At Highfield, the campus was extremely quiet, with very few students or staff coming in; notably, the car parks had many empty spaces and the bus interchange was largely empty. At Avenue, the entire campus was largely vacant, and all entrances were covered by pickets. At both campuses we distributed leaflets about the pay campaign and issues affecting members of staff across the whole University community, and we also distributed our own take on Vice-Chancellor Nutbeam’s Personal Performance and Development Review. We had supportive responses from many passers-by, both students and staff, and many signatures were added to our petition for fair pay in higher education.
Following the pickets in the morning, we held a rally outside the Piazza, where we estimate more than 200 people turned up to hear our speakers. We started off with our own UCU choir leading the crowd in our Fair Pay in HE remix of The Twelve Days of Christmas. For those of who you missed out, we’ve posted the lyrics on our blog here: http://southampton.web.ucu.org.uk/2013/12/04/a-little-something-to-boost-your-christmas-spirit/
Barry Lovejoy, Head of Regional Organisations and Nations for UCU, came to speak to attendees about the pay issue, along with regional officials from UNISON and Unite, and colleagues from both Southampton Solent and Winchester University. We also had significant press interest, with three separate camera crews filming the rally, and interviewers from various local and national press outlets circulating throughout the day.
All in all we were very pleased with the level of support and activity on the day. To all of you who supported our action, THANK YOU!
To keep the pressure on our employers, UCU is gathering information nationwide about activities which were canceled due to the strike action. With that in mind, please let us know how YOU supported the action – cancelling lectures or seminars, avoiding meetings or other commitments on the day, joining the picket lines, etc. We will take this information and send it to the national campaigns team to help counter the claims from UCEA that this day of action was not well-supported!
Also, please remember that we are still working to contract in support of the pay campaign. Please take a look at the very detailed guidance on the main UCU website here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/workingtocontract
We will keep in touch with you about future developments on the fair pay campaign, including updates on related issues both local and national.
In solidarity,
Eric Silverman
Southampton UCU President
A little something to boost your Christmas spirit
During the strike action yesterday some of our members put together a rousing remix of The Twelve Days of Christmas which brings out some of the issues that concern us here in Southampton. The lyrics are below, so next time you need a bit of extra Christmas spirit, do gather some voices together and give it a try!
Christmas Strike Song
On the first day of Christmas my VC gave to me, a one per-cent pa–ay rise
On the 2nd day of Christmas my VC gave to me, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 3rd day of Christmas my VC gave to me, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 4th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 5th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, fiiiivvvve years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 6th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 7th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, low pay for women, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 8th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, long working hours, low pay for women, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 9th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, Starbucks’ in the staff club, long working hours, low pay for women, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 10th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, a two tier pension, Starbucks’ in the staff club, long working hours, low pay for women, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 11th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, rising cost of living, two tier pension, Starbucks’ in the staff club, long working hours, low pay for women, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise,
On the 12th day of Christmas my VC gave to me, lots more students, rising cost of living, two tier pension, Starbucks’ in the staff club, long working hours, low pay for women, zero hours contracts, five years of Don, four years of REF, Three angry unions, Two days of action, and a one per-cent pay rise!