Members may have noticed a news item about UoM being accepted as a member of Andy Burnham’s Good Employment Charter initiative. We thought we should share our views. These echo the views you sent us and that we passed on to the GEC.

Firstly, the campus unions all regard it as positive that our wish was respected that membership was delayed at least until the new VC was in post; this way we could see a non-trivial chance that the process could be meaningful. However, we stipulated that we could still not give blessing to GEC membership until we had seen that the new VC would be directly involved; that we wish that he sign off personally on actions agreed with the unions in order to improve UoM’s inhumane management style—as had developed over the tenure of the last VC and her SMT.

This has not happened. The unions have not had a chance to meet together with the VC and GEC staff. We were told that the GEC staff had been informed by UoM that it would be

‘difficult for the VC to be directly involved as he has a full plan of induction/familiarisation etc for some time’.

(It is unclear to us whether the VC was ever asked by senior managers if he would want to be involved. We are concerned that the SMT indicates here a strategy to indoctrinate the new VC to prevent disturbance to their own power.)

What happened instead is that UoM’s membership has been waved through, and is already being used to compound denial about the need for UoM’s SMT to change. We quote from UoM’s news item:

Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement, Dr Julian Skyrme commented: “Being accredited by the Good Employment Charter is important to our mission as a civic university with social responsibility at its core. This voluntary Charter is an independent way to measure our practices around good employment, learn from other employers in Greater Manchester and be part of a wider movement of organisations committed to improving the lives of our employees.[…]”

It is difficult to read these words while living with the SEP in recent memory; or while planned restructures (currently in HUMS) continue to blight our lives and make the jobs of our members insecure. It is astonishing to find out that UoM wishes to learn about good employment practices at all, but if the SMT were in fact honest about this desire, then they might start by picking the brains of the campus unions first; or indeed ACAS, whose guidance they have routinely ignored. At the moment, the GEC is looking set to be a sham process: the sheer size of UoM as an employer is being used to endorse the importance of the GEC, for which the GEC is prepared to overlook the poor management practices that it was set up to tackle.

However, before the GEC can be written off entirely, we should wait to see what action plan is developed. We are told that the unions will have input in the development of this. We have asked for further information on how our input is going to be sought, and how we can have confidence in the process in the future. We will update members when we have more news.

The University of Manchester branch of the University and College Union (UMUCU) asked its members the question; “what would make a good, or at least better, university?” The aim was to get positive statements, rather than focus on problems and difficulties, and to take the opportunity of a change of VC to contribute to a discussion about the future vision for the institution.

From the sixty or so responses of varying length we have identified some key themes, illustrated by quotes (some appear in more than one theme).

UMUCU Towards a better University Aug 2024

Please keep your UCU details updated e.g. home address and subscription rate.

Visit this page to check https://my.ucu.org.uk/app/utils/login_form

The PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) Samba Band is looking for new members.

You don’t need to be a member of the PCS union – two University of Manchester UCU members play with this band.

No previous drumming experience necessary.

Drums provided – a range of different weight/size drums available to suit your preference.

The band only play at political/protest events and demonstrations.

If you want to give it a try, contact Dave Vincent dgvincent@hotmail.co.uk

Class struggle energised with Samba | Morning Star (morningstaronline.co.uk)

THE INCREDIBLE PCS SAMBA BAND THAT ONLY PLAYS ON PROTESTS – Salford Star

UMUCU currently has a shortage of Personal Case Workers – volunteers, who after undergoing some basic training, support UMUCU members facing problems at work. 

Typical situations where a member might need support are: 

• Defending themselves against an allegation of misconduct 

• Submitting a complaint about bullying 

• Requesting that ‘reasonable adjustments’ are put in place 

• Dealing with work related stress 

• Defending themselves against an allegation of poor performance 

You don’t need to be an expert on everything in order to become a Personal Case Worker. You can start by focussing on a single type of problem, only moving onto other areas once you feel ready. There is always support and advice available from existing, experienced case workers. Most members are so glad to have someone helping them through a difficult situation that they don’t mind if you can’t answer every question immediately and sometimes need to seek advice from a case worker colleague. 

Please email ucu@manchester.ac.uk if you’re interested in finding out more. 

We are horrified to witness fascists rioting in towns and cities across Britain, leading to attacks on mosques and hotels housing migrants. The far right is spreading anti-Muslim racism. This affects our union members, home and international students and communities in our city and across the country.

As trade unionists we are writing to express our solidarity with communities affected by fascist violence and affirm our commitment to countering fascism, racism and islamophobia wherever we may find it. Our movement is founded on the principles of solidarity and mutual aid. It is together in caring, mutually supportive communities that people are able to thrive and resist divisive lies and hatred.

 The anti-Muslim racism from Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party, Suella Braverman and the Conservative party, as well as reactionary sections of the Labour Party have fuelled the riots on our streets. Tommy Robinson and other racists and fascists have exploited the horrific knife attack in Southport to sow division. This also coincides with the rise of the far right and fascist forces across Europe.

 We, the UMUCU, urge all those who oppose fascism and racism, to unite and demonstrate that we are the majority, and they are the few.

 No to racism and fascism. Refugees are welcome here.

 Trade unionism is grounded in collective action, so, in light of recent events we will organise to:

1. Support community mutual aid and fundraising campaigns for affected communities.
2. Support anti-fascist demonstrations and coordinate the involvement of our members.

Keep our campus community safe and make sure that the university does all it can to support our campus and our city to resist fascism.

UCU have produced this useful guide to current use of LGBT+ language.

After the fascist riot in Southport, let’s stop the far right in Manchester. Don’t let the racists divide us. Join the protest at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester on Saturday 3rd August 2024 at 9am.