Aberdeen Universities UNISON

Branch Christmas Competition 2023

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.

This year, we have an amazing Apple iPad Air to win, and twenty lucky winners will receive a voucher code for £50, to use on any shopping vouchers they like from the love2shop redemption website.

Entry is online only this year:

• UNISON Branch Christmas Competition - Enter Here! 

Don’t leave it too late to send your entry before midday on 15th December - enter today!

Categories: Benefits | Branch | Members | RGU | UofA

Have you VOTED yet!? Vote YES for Better Pay!

Pay talks with the University and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA) ended in impasse, rather than agreement. UCEA made their latest final pay offer for 2023-24 during the ACAS facilitated dispute resolution talks in February: another below-inflation pay rise.

With RPI inflation at 13.8% in February 2023 and even CPI at 10.4%, like many other workers across the country, between 2022-23 and 2023-24 you are facing the prospect of the biggest ever real terms pay cut.

Vote YES to strike for the pay you deserve.

Higher Education Strike Ballot 2023

Categories: Ballot | Campaigns | Members | Pay | Strike

Thank You Julie

Aberdeen Universities Branch bid a fond farewell to Julie Yackiminie as she stood down from her post as branch chair after many years of service to UNISON. 

Colin Jones, UNISON Convener at the Robert Gordon University said, “I became involved in UNISON twenty years ago when Julie asked for people to help ‘give out leaflets’.  She was a great mentor and support and was always there to provide advice on issues where she would often be able to give that alternative perspective or come up with something you hadn’t thought of.  It has been a pleasure working with her over all this time as both a friend and colleague, and I’d like to personally thank her for everything she’s done for the branch.”

Julie said, “I enjoyed my 28 years as a steward and member of the branch committee.  I met many people I would never have met and I was also given opportunities I would never have had. It was very rewarding being a UNISON steward and activist, knowing that in some small way I had helped someone. I would urge members to think about becoming a steward or helping the union out in any way they can.”

Owen Cox, branch chair also added, “Working with Julie stimulates everybody’s imagination and people dare to dream about real change.  She was an inspiration to me and to all of us. We wish her well, but it’s not lost on me how much we will miss her.”

Julie, who is due to retire later this year, was presented with a print entitled “Into Aberdeen” by North East artist Eric Auld, in recognition of all the work she had done for the branch, and for members.

Categories: Branch | Information | Members

Celebrating International Women's Day 2023

The Aberdeen Universities UNISON Branch would like to invite you to an event celebrating International Women's Day 2023.  Two talks by two women's rights activists who supported the women liberation movement in Aberdeen for many years.

Wednesday March 8th 2023 at 12:30pm - 3pm
Sir Duncan Rice Library, Lower Ground Seminar Room, Aberdeen, AB24 3AA

This is a hybrid event, in person and online. If attending online a teams link will be sent one day before the event.

BOOK ONLINE VIA TICKETSOURCE - FREE

A woman’s work is never done: Campaigning for women’s and worker’s rights in Aberdeen over the last fifty years

Sandra MacDonald

Born in Africa, brought up in Aberdeen, Sandra studied at Aberdeen and Strathclyde Universities, working in tourism in the North-East before switching to the oil industry, where she worked for over 30 years. A life-long campaigner for women’s and workers’ rights, Sandra was elected to represent St Machar ward on the city council from 2003 to 2007, where she worked hard to enable local people to have their say on decisions affecting their communities. Sandra is a member of Aberdeen Women’s Alliance, Workers’ Educational Association and Grampian Regional Equality Council.

'Dreaming dangerously: Women's Liberation in Aberdeen'

Chris Aldred

Chris Aldred (Durndell 1970-4) was active in Aberdeen’s women’s liberation groups in the 1970s. Her involvement inspired lifelong work in education, especially adult education and work with communities. She continues to be active in trade unions and contributed to early STUC and TUC initiatives in trade union education for and about women, as well as organising and teaching a range of community-based courses for women.

Categories: Events | Information

UNISON Annual General Meeting 2023

Details for the branch Annual General Meeting have now been announced.  This will take place at RGU, Riverside Building room 118 this year, and will have a virtual option via zoom for those unable to attend in person.  It will be a single AGM for UNISON members from both Universities, and all are invited to attend at RGU.  If you wish to attend virtually please register below:

Friday 10^th March 2023
12.00pm – 1.00pm

Room 118, Riverside Building, RGU
or

Register to attend via Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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 | Branch | RGU | UofA