‘Learning representative’

If you are interested in working with UCU locally, you may be interested in being a ‘Learning representative’. Union learning representatives (ULRs) are similar to health and safety representatives; but while health and safety representatives focus on health and safety issues, Learning reps focus on members' personal and professional learning interests.  More information can be found: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3108 . Hopefully, in the near future there will be specific facility time @ AU for ULRs which will allow the representative paid time off to attend training events.   Union Learning Reps training scheduled to take place in Tondu (south Wales) on 19-20 April and 11 June. There are spaces available and if you would like to register, please do so following the link register for UCU Learning Reps,19-20 April & 11 June 2012, Cardiff. Please contact the Aberystwyth branch on ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk if you wish to attend. All expenses will be paid

Aber Uni UCU Members Meeting

A general members meeting will be held on Wednesday 28th March at 12noon in A14 Hugh Owen. The local executive committee will update members on recent developments. Non members are welcome and application forms to join UCU will be made available on the door.

Training: open to all UCU members @ Aber

Union Learning Reps training scheduled to take place in Tondu on 19-20 April and 11 June.  There are spaces available and if you would like to register, please do so following the link register for UCU Learning Reps,19-20 April & 11 June 2012, Cardiff.  Please contact the Aberystwyth branch on ucu-aber@aber.ac.uk if you wish to attend.  All expenses will be paid.

Aber Uni Work Place Problems

Aber Uni Workplace problems?  Please contact our personal case work coordinator, Joan Williams (orw@aber.ac.uk)

Dr Martin Wilding and Joan Williams, both current UCU Executive members, have successfully completed an Employment Tribunal Skills and Discrimination Law course achieving first class marks.  This course was originally developed in partnership with the then Equal Opportunities Commission, Race Equality Commission, Disability Rights Commission and is on-going with the EHRC.  The 4 organisations worked in partnership with Cardiff University to develop a course aimed at advisors which offers accreditation of qualifications in advice work.

As delegates Martin and Joan attended presentations, workshops and completed various assignments in their own time.  Their work included preparing for a Tribunal Hearing and appearing before a Mock Tribunal panel of legal experts in the field.    

ONLINE VOTE

You should have received an online voting form from the UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt. You are asked to vote 'yes' or 'no' to three proposals for reforming the union. Your local UCU Committee would like to urge you to cast your vote in this ballot (it only takes a few seconds).

It is of course entirely a personal decision whether you vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. However, the Committee has considered the proposed reforms and we would suggest voting YES  to all three proposals. In our view this would lead to a more democratic union more accountable to its members and more effective in dealing with the issues it has to face. 

Alternative email address for UCU Aberystwyth.  Following feedback from our members, we have created a hotmail email address. You can now contact the local executive away from the university mail system at ucu-aber@hotmail.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!

Members may have seen the notice in the weekly email that rates for use of private cars on university business have changed.  18. Oddi wrth: Stephen Humphreys tsh@aber.ac.uk Cyfraddau costau teithio a chynhaliaeth i'w defnyddio ar gyfer busnes y Brifysgol Mae manylion ar gyfer cyfraddau newydd o Mawrth 1af 2012 ar gael ar tudalen we Y Swyddfa Gyllid: http://www.aber.ac.uk/cy/finance-office/information-for-staff/travel/

18. From: Stephen Humphreys tsh@aber.ac.uk Travel & subsistence expenses rates for use on University business Details of new rates from March 1st 2012 are available from the Finance Office web site : http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/finance-office/information-for-staff/travel/

This change was brought in without any notice, consultation or justification. The effect has been to reduce the 40p rate so that instead of covering the first 200 miles, it now covers only the first 100 miles, before dropping to 20p/mile. It is now suggested that a hire car be used for journeys over 100 miles which may be impractical for many staff.

We want to know the feelings of staff regarding this change, so if the change affects you, or you would like to have your views on this change represented to management, please email with your views on one of the email addresses below.

UCU Aberystwyth

Hotmail: ucu-aber@hotmail.co.uk