Aberdeen Universities UNISON

Branch Christmas Competition 2020 - Results

The branch held our prize draw for our fantastic Christmas Competition and we're pleased to announce we now have our 5 prize winners and eight runners up for this year.

The prizes this year were:

• an amazing Lenovo Legion 5 top-of-the-range Gaming Laptop.
• a lovely Prosecco and Chocolates Hamper (x2)
• a great Wine and Snacks box Hamper (x2)
• and Eight runners up received £20 Vouchers!

Our prize winners draw was overseen by our Branch Chairperson, Julie Yackiminie on Tuesday and were:

• First Prize:  Carol McKerron
• Second Prizes:  Roy Glennie & Ruth Steele
• Third Prizes:  Lauren Hossack & Iain Bell
• Runners-up: Janice Wright, Rhona Skene, Joanne Procee, Scott Murison, David Milne, Alison Mcleod, Wendy Arthur, and Shirley McQeen

Our competition this year was an odd one out and people were asked to select the odd one out from A: Christmas Pudding, B: Chocolate Yule Log, C: Christmas Tree and D: Brussel Sprouts.

We know there are a number of ways you could look at it, but we were only looking for one right answer and that was "C: Christmas Tree" as the other things are all things you would eat (although we do admit some people would debate whether Brussel Sprouts are edible!).  Well done to everyone who got the answer we were looking for!

Congratulations to all our winners, and to everyone out there, have a Happy Christmas and New Year!

Categories: Benefits | Branch

Branch Christmas Competition 2020

Once more we are running our fantastic Christmas Competition, which is open to members only for all our current UNISON members at both the Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen.

Prizes this year are an amazing top of the range Gaming Laptop. We'll also have our ever popular Christmas hampers and some £20 vouchers for runners up.

Entry is online only this year:

• UNISON Branch Christmas Competition - Enter Here! 

Don’t leave it too late to send your entry - enter today!

Categories: Benefits | Branch | Members

Free £20 Gift Voucher for Branch Members!

As you know the branch receives money each year to use on a variety of things, including social events.  We'll be running our Christmas competition as usual, but we have also run coach trips and other events in the past.  This year, as you'll appreciate, we haven't been able to do that.

We know however how difficult this year has been for all of us, and the branch committee would like to say thank you to all our members for all the fantastic work you've been doing under very difficult circumstances.  For that reason we are offering all our branch members a £20 gift voucher of their choice!

To claim your gift voucher please register online - we'll then get them ordered and codes distributed to everyone which will allow you to claim your gift voucher from the many available at www.love2shoprewards.co.uk

All registrations should be received by Sunday 15th November 2020 to allow us time to process the order and get the codes out to you by early December - in time for a bit of Christmas shopping!

Categories: Members | Benefits

There for You - Financial Support for Members

With the current COVID-19 crisis many members are finding themselves struggling to cope.  We'd like to remind members of UNISON's welfare charity, There for You, which provides a vital service to members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties.

All members can contact There for You directly, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependants.  Members who are experiencing financial difficulties can also apply for a Financial Assistance grant, and also receive help and advice with regard to applying for benefits you may be eligible to claim.  For a full list of services provided go to the website here:

https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/

At this time, branches have also been asked to support the charity with donations, and the Aberdeen Universities branch committee have agreed a donation of £1,000 to UNISON Welfare from branch funds to help support those members most in need.

If you are dealing with an emergency situation – either linked to COVID-19 or other financial pressures – and you have no money at all, call 020 7121 5620 and leave a message. During these unprecedented times, members can apply to There for You directly for an emergency payment.

For other support and application forms for financial assistance see the There for You website linked above.  Forms can be submitted electronically.

Categories: Members | Benefits

UNISON Coronavirus Information

We understand this is a difficult time for everyone and that you may have queries or need support.   

We have been engaging with both Universities throughout this period and they have created FAQ areas which should answer the majority of queries:

• RGU Coronavirus FAQs
• UofA Coronavirus FAQs

The main item to highlight is that both Universities have committed that staff will suffer no detriment financially during this uncertain time and we will all continued to be paid.  

If you have a query that is not answered on the University website and you are not sure who to contact, please contact us and we will engage with the relevant departments to find an answer for you.

Please stay safe everyone and follow the guidelines issued with regard to COVID-19.

Categories: Members

UNISON Branch AGM 2020

It's now time for the branch Annual General Meeting, and this year we'll be repeating our split AGM format across both Universities.  The AGM will be held on two days at lunchtimes, with one meeting at RGU and the other at UofA.  Please make every effort to come along to one of them.

Refreshments will be provided from 12 noon and the AGM meetings will start at 12.30pm.

University of Aberdeen

Monday 2nd March 2020: 12 noon – 1.30pm (for 12.30pm start)
Room 224 in the Sir Duncan Rice Library

Robert Gordon University

Tuesday 3rd March 2020: 12 noon – 1.30pm (for 12.30pm start)
Room 213 in Aberdeen Business School

Papers and agendas will be sent out to members in advance of the meetings.  Please also ensure you complete and submit any nomination forms for stewards and branch officers prior to the meeting.

Categories: AGM | Members