1st
September
2016
UNISON is balloting members in higher education, urging them to vote ‘Yes’ for strike action for better pay. The decision of the higher education service group executive was taken following a consultation with branches. The employers have so far refused to increase their 1.1% offer for the majority of staff that also does not deliver the Living Wage for the lowest paid.
Make sure you VOTE in the ballot - papers are being sent direct to members homes.
The average pay rise for Vice Chancellors in 2014/15 was a whopping 6.1% rising to an average of £274,405!
UNISON has called the offer ‘deeply hypocritical’ - as staff are offered a miserly 1.1% to cover their rising household bills - while at the same Vice Chancellors have called for a 2.8% increase in tuition fees in England to cover University ‘costs’.
Despite low inflation, essential costs such as water bills, public transport and car parking have all gone up this year.
UNISON believes that an increase is affordable - money is available for a higher pay increase this year universities holding cash surpluses of nearly £21billion! And the need for our members is urgent.
The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales reported a total surplus of £60m, while the English funding body (HEFCE) reported in March 2016 a surplus of nearly £1.8bn! Scotland Universities posted a surplus of £166m and Northern Ireland had a surplus of £27m.
UNISON believes that universities can afford to improve on their miserly offer.
For more information see the Higher Education Pay 2016 website.
Categories: Campaigns | Pay
3rd
June
2016
We have now received a "full and final" written pay offer from the national employers’ organisation the Universities & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).
The offer for 2016-17 follows pay talks between the employers and joint higher ed unions, and consists of:
- a 1.1% increase from 1 August for all staff covered by the higher education national agreement, who are on point 8 and above of the national pay spine;
- increases of between 3.1% and 1.6% for staff on points 1 to 7 of the spine (note this is not the same as "grades" at the universities - see below)
UNISON’s Higher Education Service Group Executive, the union’s national committee for HE, is consulting members on this offer.
Read more...
Categories: Branch | Campaigns | Consultation | Members | Pay
25th
April
2016
There are two major events coming up soon organised by the Aberdeen Trades Union Council which we'd encourage all branch member's to attend.
Aberdeen May Day March & Rally
The annual May Day March for International Workers' Day will take place this year on Saturday 30th April.
All trade unions, community organisations, friends and families are encouraged to attend - bring your banners and placards, and let's make this march the biggest ever!
Groups gather at Rubislaw Terrace from 11.00am, for 11.30am march off. The march will progress down Union Street to a rally and speakers at Castlegate from 12.15am. Come along and support this important event! Download the May Day 2016 Poster.
International Worker's Memorial Day
All over the world on 28th April each year organisations hold events to mark International Worker's Memorial Day. The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that this tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.
The campaign slogan is "Remember the dead, fight for the living."
The Aberdeen ceremony will take place on Thursday 28th April at Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, meet at 12.30pm for the ceremony at 1pm. The ceremony will take approximately 30 minutes.
Everyone is welcome and invited to attend. Download the IWMD 2016 Poster.
Categories: Branch | Events | Members
