USS PENSION DISPUTE - PETITION HANDOVER

Mae Mary Ferrie, Swyddog Trefnu UCU Prifysgol Aberystwyth yn rhoi’r ddeiseb (wedi llofnodi gan 17,000 o bobl) sy’n galw am bensiwn teg i Rebecca Davies, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor.  Cafodd llofnodion eu dosbarthu i gyfarfod o gyflogwyr yn Llundain ac mae nifer o ganghennau dros Brydain wedi rhoi copi i reolwyr Prifysgolion fel rhan o gyfnod trosglwyddo torfol. Mae’r ddeiseb yn FYW, mae’n bosibl llofnodi, os nad ydych chi wedi eisoes.  https://www.ucu.org.uk/demandafairuss

Mary Ferrie UCU Organising Officer for Aberystwyth University hands over the 17,000 word petition demanding a fair pension to Rebecca Davies, Pro Vice Chancellor.

The signatures were also delivered to a meeting of university employers in London and a great number of branches across the country also delivered copies to their

University management as part of UCU’s mass handover.  The petition remains LIVE so please continue to support, if you have not already signed

https://www.ucu.org.uk/demandafairuss

UCU ABERYSTWYTH RECRUITMENT STAND

Annwyl Aelod,

Ddydd Llun 1af Rhagfyr, rhwng 12-2yp, bydd stondin recriwtio yng nghyntedd Canolfan y Celfyddydau (ger y Plaza). Os hoffech chi alw heibio i drafod unrhyw fater neu ddod â cyd-weithiwr sydd ddim yn aelod gyda chi, bydd Alison a minnau’n hapus i glywed unrhyw bryderon neu faterion yr hoffech eu codi gyda’r Gymdeithas Leol. Mae gennym ddiddordeb arbennnig mewn annog aelodau newydd i ymuno, oherwydd po fwyaf o aelodau sydd gan UCU mwyaf y bydd ein grym bargeinio a chyd-drafod yn lleol.

Edrychaf ymlaen at eich gweld chi yno.

Cofion cynnes

Dear member

Over 10,000 of you have now signed our mass petition re USS. Thank you!

Can you help us reach 15,000? PLEASE PASS THIS EMAIL ON AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SIGN:
https://www.ucu.org.uk/demandafairuss

All the best,

Sally Hunt,
general secretary

Annwyl Aelod

Dydd Llun 1af Rhagfyr, 12-2yp bydd stondin recriwtio ym mynediad Canolfan y Celfyddydau (wrth ymyl y Plaza).

Rydych chi’n croeso os hoffech chi trafod unrhywbeth neu dod â cydweithwr nad ydy aelod.

Bydd Alison a finnau’n hapus i glywed eich achosion neu rhywbeth a hoffech chi codi gyda’r cymdeithas lleol.

Mae diddordeb arbennnig gyda ni mewn annog aelodau newydd, achos bydd mwy o aelodau yn codi ein nerth i fargeinio a chyd-drafod yn lleol.

Dw i’n edrych ymlaen at eich gweld chi yno.

Cofion cynnes

Dear Member

On Monday 1^st December 2014 between 12-2p.m. there will be a UCU recruitment stand in the Arts Centre foyer (by the Plaz).  If you would like to

come along to discuss any issues or indeed bring along any non members in your Department you are more than welcome.  Alsion and I will be

there and happy to take forward any concerns or matters you may wish to be raised with the Local Association.  We are particularly interested

in encouraging non members to join, as the more members UCU have the greater our strength in bargaining and negotiations locally.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes

Mary J Ferrie BSc (Anrhydedd)/(Hons.)

Swyddog Trefnu UCU Organising Officer

Ystafell Room C63 Hugh Owen Building

Prifysgol Aberystwyth University

Ffôn/Tel No: 01970 621519

Oriau swyddfa: dydd Llun a dydd Iau – 9 y.b. tan 4.30 y.h.

Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4.30p.m.

UCU Aberystwyth

Blog:  http://aberucu.blogspot.com/

www: http://www.aber.ac.uk/ucu-aber/  

E: ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk

Hotmail: ucu-aber@hotmail.co.uk

Twitter: @aberucu

Facebook: aber ucu

Join/Ymunwch ag UCU @ http://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Want additional support? The College and University Support Network (Recourse) offersUCUmembers a range of services - from factsheets to counselling.

Access these services online http://recourse.org.uk/ or through the 24/7 telephone support line, Freephone 0808 8020304

Bullying in Universities

http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/nov/05/bullying-universities-legal-rights

http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/nov/03/why-bullying-thrives-higher-education

Mary J Ferrie

UCU Organising Officer

Aberystwyth University

UPDATE ON USS PENSION DISPUTE

Annwyl Aelod

Byddwch wedi derbyn yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf gan Sally Hunt yng nghyswllt yr anghydfod pensiwn USS. Mae hwnnw’n dweud i’r gweithredu diwydiannol yng nghyswllt Cynllun Pensiwn y Prifysgolion (USS) gael ei atal dros dro o heddiw (dydd Iau, 20 Tachwedd, 2014), tan ar ôl cyfarfod y Pwyllgor Negodi ddydd Iau, 15 Ionawr, 2015.
Mae UCU ac UUK wedi cytuno i gyfres o gyfarfodydd negodi rhwng nawr a mis Ionawr.
Cytunodd HEC ar y sail uchod y dylai’r boicot asesu presennol, ynghyd ag unrhyw streicio arfaethedig yn ymwneud â thocio tâl cosbol, gael ei atal ar unwaith tan 16 Ionawr 2015.
Cytunodd HEC hefyd petai unrhyw gamau dilynol gan UCU y flwyddyn nesaf yn denu tocio cyflog gosbol, yna byddai yna streic genedlaethol yn dilyn.

Gan hynny, mae’r cyfarfod amserlen Anghydfod, a gynlluniwyd ar gyfer heddiw yn swyddfa’r Undeb ar y cyd, wedi ei ganslo.

Dymuniadau gorau,

Dear Member

You will have received an update from Sally Hunt in connection with the USS pension dispute.  This outlines that the industrial action in relation to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)

has been suspended as from today (Thursday 20^th November 2014), until after the Joint Negotiating committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 15^th January 2015.

Both UCU and UUK have agreed to a series of negotiating meetings between now and January. 

HEC agreed on the above basis that the current boycott of assessment and any planned  strike action related to punitive pay docking should be suspended with immediate effect until 16 January 2015.

HEC also agreed that should any subsequent action by UCU next year attract punitive pay docking then national strike action would follow.

The schedule Dispute meeting planned for today in the Joint Union office, is therefore, cancelled.

Mary J Ferrie

UCU Organising Officer

Aberystwyth University

Annwyl Aelod

Dim ond gair i’ch atgoffa fod y boicot marcio ac asesu USS yn parhau, ac, os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau am y peth, cysylltwch â mi neu
ucu-staff@aber.ac.uk, a cheisir arweiniad priodol, os bydd ei angen.

Gallwch gael hyd i atebion i rai cwestiynau yma: http://defenduss.web.ucu.org.uk/assessment-boycott-faqs/.

Dear Member

Just a reminder to advise you that the USS Marking and Assessment boycott is ongoing, and, if you have any queries about it, please contact myself or

ucu-staff@aber.ac.uk and appropriate guidance will be sought, if necessary.

Answers to some questions can be found in FAQ http://defenduss.web.ucu.org.uk/assessment-boycott-faqs/.

Mary J Ferrie BSc (Anrhydedd)/(Hons.)

Swyddog Trefnu UCU Organising Officer

Ystafell Room C63 Hugh Owen Building

Prifysgol Aberystwyth University

Ffôn/Tel No: 01970 621519

Oriau swyddfa: dydd Llun a dydd Iau – 9 y.b. tan 4.30 y.h.

Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4.30p.m

USS PENSION DISPUTE

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/comment/opinion/uuk-obstinacy-has-forced-ucu-marking-boycott/2016733.article

Apologies for the lack of translation, no translator was available.

UCU - ANTI-CASULISATION DAY – WEDNESDAY 5^TH NOVEMBER 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

Casualisation - short term contracts - low wages - these are major  issues that the UCU is campaigning on.
If you want to find out more , or if you want to discuss the issue - then please come along to out drop in desk at the main entrance of the Arts Centre.


 If you cannot make it, but want to be involved in the campaign, email: Mary Ferrie, mrf@aber.ac.uk.

Mary J Ferrie
UCU Organising Officer
Aberystwyth University

USS PENSION DISPUTE

Mae eich pwyllgor lleol yn credu fod y newidiadau a gynigir gan y Fforwm Pensiynau Cyflogwyr (EPF) yn cynrychioli yr ymosodiad mwyaf difrifol ar ein telerau ac amodau ers blynyddoedd lawer.

Os bydd y newidiadau hyn yn mynd drwodd, byddant yn barhaol
Unwaith y bydd eich buddion pensiwn wedi mynd, byddan nhw wedi mynd am byth.

• Mae’r golled potensial i bensiynau’n enfawr
  Mae aelodau yn sefyll i golli cymaint â 28% o’u budd-daliadau ymddeol – mae hynny’n golygu miloedd o bunnoedd y flwyddyn.
• Mae hyn yn effeithio ar bawb
  Ar gyfer aelodau hirsefydlog y cynllun pensiwn, mae budd-daliadau cyflog terfynol yn wynebu’r fwyell; mae aelodau mwy diweddar yn wynebu’r posibiliad o gael eu budd-daliadau ymddeol wedi eu torri, gyda’r aelodau mwyaf diweddar yn wynebu’r pensiynau gwaethaf o bawb.
• Mae angen llaw gref ar ein negodwyr
  Ni fydd y cyflogwyr yn gwybod pa mor ddifrifol yr ydym yn cymryd y mater hwn oni bai ein bod yn anfon ein negodwyr i drafodaethau â mandad cryf o blaid gweithredu diwydiannol.
  
  Rydym yn credu fod y newidiadau hyn yn ymosodiad diangen ar ein pensiynau – a’ch ffyniant yn y dyfodol.
  
  Mae’r USS yn ddiddyled. Bydd y cynigion presennol yn taro staff yn galed.

Your local committee believes that the changes proposed by the Employers Pensions Forum (EPF) represent the gravest attack on our terms and conditions for many years.

·         If these changes go through, they will be permanent
Once your pension benefits are gone, they’re gone forever

·         The potential loss of pensions is huge
Members stand to lose as much as 28% of their retirement benefits – that’s thousands of pounds a year

• This affects everyone
  For longer-standing members of the pension scheme, final salary benefits are facing the axe; newer members face the prospect of their retirement benefits being slashed, with the newest facing the worst pensions of all
• Our negotiators need a strong hand
  The employers will only know how seriously we take this issue if we send our negotiators to talks with a strong mandate for industrial action

We believe that these changes are an unnecessary assault on our pensions – and your future prosperity. 

USS is solvent. The current proposals will hit staff hard.

Mary J Ferrie

UCU Organising Officer

Aberystwyth University

01970 621519

Cynhelir Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol y gymdeithas leol am 12 ganol dydd ar 25 Mehefin, 2014, yn Ystafell Parti Clwb Cymdeithasol Brynamlwg. Yn ystod y cyfarfod hwn, bydd adroddiadau yn cael eu rhoi gan swyddogion etholedig, a byddwch yn cael y cyfle i ethol swyddogion a hefyd i godi materion eraill. Os ydych am ychwanegu eitemau eraill at yr agenda, anfonwch e-bost at: ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk.

Cymdeithas leol UCU

The local association AGM will be held at 12noon on the 25^th June 2014 in the party room Brynamlwg social club. During this meeting reports will be given by elected officers, and you will have the opportunity to elect officers and also raise other issues. Should you wish to have any items added to the agenda please email them to: ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk

The UCU local association

Final Salary Pension Scheme for Support Staff

Mae Cymdeithas Leol UCU yn gresynu at y cynnig gan Brifysgol Aberystwyth i gau cynllun pensiwn cyflog terfynol staff cynorthwyol (AUPAS) a’i ddisodli â chynllun cyfraniadau llawer mwy israddol y byddant yn cyfrannu llai na hanner y gyfradd a delir i USS ar hyn o bryd yn achos staff academaidd a swyddi graddau uwch, ato. Mae llawer o’r staff yr effeithir arnynt eisoes yn ennill cyflog isel, a gallai cael gwared ar eu budd daliadau cyflog terfynol eu gorfodi i dlodi wrth iddynt ymddeol.”

“The UCU Local Association deplores the proposal by Aberystwyth University  to close the support staff final salary pension scheme (AUPAS) and replace it with a much inferior defined contribution scheme to which they will contribute less than half the rate currently paid to USS for academic and more senior grades. Many of the affected staff are already on very low pay and the removal of their final salary pensions benefits could force them into poverty on retirement.”

Annwyl Aelod,

Cyflog Teg mewn Addysg. Cyfarwyddiadau ar gyfer y Boicot Marcio.

Efallai y bydd cydweithwyr yn dymuno ymgyfarwyddo â chynnwys y ddogfen UCU hon wrth baratoi at y boicot marcio a fydd yn cael eu gweithredu o 28 Ebrill os na fydd y cyflogwyr yn fodlon dod i gytundeb trwy negodi a fydd yn dderbyniol i’r Undeb. Gallwch gael hyd i’r ddogfen ym.

Dear Member,

Fair Pay in Education.  Instructions for the Marking Boycott.

Colleagues may wish to familiarize themselves with the contents to this UCU document  in preparation for the marking boycott which will be operating from April 28^th if the employers are unwilling to reach a settlement through negotiation which is acceptable to the Union You can find this document here

Mary J Ferrie BSc (Anrhydedd)/(Hons.)

UCU Aberystwyth Organising Officer

Blog:  http://aberucu.blogspot.com/

www: http://www.aber.ac.uk/ucu-aber/  

E: ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk

Hotmail: ucu-aber@hotmail.co.uk

Twitter: @aberucu

Facebook: aber ucu

Join/Ymunwch ag UCU @ http://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Robert John Wootton

Robert John Wootton

Bydd Aelodau yn drist iawn i glywed am farwolaeth Bob Wootton. Yn ogystal â’i yrfa hir a nodedig mewn ymchwil ac addysgu yn Adran Swoleg Coleg Prifysgol Cymru, Aberystwyth, ac wedyn yn IBERS, bu Bob yn aelod gweithgar o gymdeithas leol yr AUT (Cymdeithas Athrawon Prifysgol), rhagflaenydd UCU. Hoffai’r gymdeithas leol estyn ei chydymdeimlad at wraig Bob, Maureen, ei blant Sean a Siobhan ac at ei wyrion, Alfie a Ella. Rydym yn gwerthfawrogi’n fawr iawn ymrwymiad Bob i addysgu, i’r sefydliad ac i’r gymdeithas leol, a gwelwn eisiau ei gyfraniad.

Robert John Wootton

Members will be saddened to hear of the death of Bob Wootton. In addition to his long and distinguished career in research and teaching in the Department of Zoology in The University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and subsequently IBERS, Bob was an active member of the local association of the AUT (Association of University Teachers), the predecessor to the UCU. The local association would like to pass on its condolences to Bob's wife, Maureen, his children Sean and Siobhan and to his grandchildren Alfie and Ella. We are deeply appreciative of Bob's commitment to teaching, to the institution and to the local association and will miss his contribution.

Mary J Ferrie BSc (Anrhydedd)/(Hons.)

Swyddog Trefnu UCU Organising Officer

Ystafell Room C63 Hugh Owen Building

Prifysgol Aberystwyth University

Ffôn/Tel No: 01970 621519

Oriau swyddfa: dydd Llun a dydd Iau – 9 y.b. tan 4.30 y.h.

Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4.30p.m.

UCU Aberystwyth

Blog:  http://aberucu.blogspot.com/

www: http://www.aber.ac.uk/ucu-aber/  

E: ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk

Hotmail: ucu-aber@hotmail.co.uk

Twitter: @aberucu

Facebook: aber ucu

Join/Ymunwch ag UCU @ http://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Want additional support? The College and University Support Network (Recourse) offersUCUmembers a range of services - from factsheets to counselling.

Access these services online http://recourse.org.uk/ or through the 24/7 telephone support line, Freephone 0808 8020304