Statement to UCU members

This statement is sent on behalf of the UCU Executive in response to comments made by the President and Vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University following the BBC coverage on Monday  15^th July.  We would also like to thank UCU members, members of the other trades unions and others of the University community who have contacted us in support of the statement and stand taken by UCU.

The President and Vice-Chancellor state that they “do not recognise the concerns raised in the broadcast”, and that the UCU and other trades unions have not raised these issues with senior management.  In both formal and informal meetings with the Aberystwyth University Executive, the UCU and the other campus unions have raised concerns about the escalation of disciplinary processes and the use of precautionary suspensions. We have also raised concerns about the AU Executive and Human Resources failing to adhere to current policies.  Specific allegations of bullying have been repeatedly raised by all unions through grievance procedure, but no responses have been given. We are informed that letters concerning bullying have been written directly to the Vice-Chancellor and to the President by individual members of staff, and there has also been no response to these either. The recent coverage of the Arts Centre should have been enough to have raised concerns with the President, Vice‑Chancellor and the University Executive.

Concerning the Arts Centre, we would like to draw members’ attention to the following sequence of events. Prior to the UCU Extraordinary General Meeting on 24^th April, 2013, members of the UCU Executive and the then President of the Local Association attended a meeting in the Vice‑Chancellor’s office to discuss the motions to be put before members. At that meeting we discussed our concerns at the use of precautionary suspensions, lack of process and the failure to support staff. The two motions were passed unanimously at the UCU Extraordinary General Meeting on the 25^th April 2013. The motions were handed to the University Secretary who forwarded them to the President on the 30^th April, 2013, for his consideration and, for the consideration by the University Council. The Vice-Chancellor and other members of the Executive are also members of the University Council. We consider this formal route to be a more than adequate channel for communicating these motions and the concerns raised therein.

We find it very perplexing that the response to the broadcast has not addressed the issues concerned. It is unacceptable in any modern workplace that a member of staff should feel that they have been bullied and find it necessary to appear on camera in silhouette with voice-over, as occurred in the broadcast on 15^th July. In the statements from the Vice-Chancellor and President no empathy has been shown for people who claim they have been subject to bullying. Instead, the President and Vice‑Chancellor merely assert that they do “not recognise the picture”. We can assure the President, Vice‑Chancellor and University Executive that it is a picture that is recognised by us.

The UCU continues to work hard to eradicate bullying and unfair treatment and always responds to members' concerns. We remind members that they can contact the UCU via ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk or via the joint Union office: 01970 621519.