Update From ABER UCU

Update from UCU Aberystwyth: July 2012

Local membership subs will be reduced by £2.00 as agreed at the AGM.

•       The reduction of subs is as a result of the Executive's decision not to replace the administrative officer and to ensure that the work of the local association is undertaken by volunteers (academic, administrative and retired members).

•       We have built up enough reserves over the last 18 months to reduce membership rates.

•       In the near future we may have to reconsider the subscription rate again. We may even need to contemplate employing another member of staff in the office if we don’t have more volunteers to assist with the running of the local association.

•       Many of the current executive members have served over two years and it is only fair for them to be replaced by ‘new blood’ at the next AGM in 2013.

At this critical time, we need more help from the wider membership.

•       Following on from the AGM there are still a number of vacant posts on Exec. At the moment the work is being done by a small dedicated team. However, the team are over-worked and under supported by the membership.  We need help in several areas and members can assist in many ways (either behind the scenes or at meetings with Management).

How YOU could help:

•       Our treasurer is due to retire next year..... It would be a great if someone could 'shadow' him for the year and take over at the next AGM. This involves a monthly visit to the office to update the accounts and preparation of the annual accounts

•       Our Hon Sec needs assistance. This could involve taking minutes at the monthly exec meetings, attending negotiations or helping with policy research; updating members

•       We need a Vice President:  this is someone to deputise for the President at meetings with members or at meetings with management.

•       We also need ‘ordinary’ members on the executive. These members help with personal cases, policy discussions or membership/recruitment.

•       Assistant to our Health and Safety Rep…someone to help with the health and safety concerns of our members.

•       Become a departmental rep – help to distribute leaflets in your department and put up posters

The effort can be as much or as little as you wish to put into it.  At the moment we are dealing with a lot of issues for our members:  (SDPR, Departmental Re-alignments, Redundancies, Policy Negotiations, Health and Safety Assessments).  Any help you can give to the executive would we welcome. Please contact us on ucu-aber@hotmail.co.uk if you can help.