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

E-bost Arolwg Cenedlaethol o Fyfyrwyr - ymateb UCU Aber

(Saesneg - English)

Mae holl staff y Brifysgol wedi derbyn e-bost gan yr Is-ganghellor yn ddiweddar ynghylch yr Arolwg Cenedlaethol o Fyfyrwyr. Dyma’r ymateb yr ydym ni wedi ei yrru ati hi. Rhoir unrhyw ymateb yma, os cawn ni ymateb.

Annwyl April,

Croesawn y newyddion diweddaraf a anfonwyd gennych at yr holl staff yn sgil cyhoeddi ffigurau’r Arolwg Cenedlaethol o Fyfyrwyr. Cytunwn ei bod hi’n achos pryder fod y Brifysgol wedi disgyn yn y tabl, ond rydym yn sicr y byddwch yn cytuno fod hyn yn offeryn braidd yn ddi-fin ar gyfer mesur perfformiad staff. Felly, tra ymunwn â chi’n llongyfarch yr adrannau hynny sydd wedi llwyddo i gynyddu lefelau boddhad eu myfyrwyr, rydym hefyd yn cydnabod ymdrech yr holl staff ar draws y Brifysgol p’un a yw’r ymdrechion hynny’n cael eu hadlewyrchu yn yr Arolwg Cenedlaethol o Fyfyrwyr neu beidio.

Rydym yn sicr nad canlyniadau’r Arolwg Cenedlaethol o Fyfyrwyr yw unig yrrwr cynllunio buddsoddi, a bod barn myfyrwyr a staff yr un mor bwysig wrth lunio cynllunio buddsoddi. Croesawn y cynnydd mewn buddsoddiad yn y Brifysgol, gan gynnwys ei hystadau a’i hisadeiledd, sydd er budd y staff a’r myfyrwyr, cyhyd ag y bo lefel y buddsoddiad yn gynaladwy er mwyn dyfodol y Brifysgol.

Mae yna rai pwyntiau y tynnwyd ein sylw atynt yn eich e-bost, a hoffem fynegi ein barn arnynt:

1.       Mae blaengynllunio’n hanfodol ar gyfer dyfodol y Brifysgol, a chredwn mai diffyg blaengynllunio a arweiniodd at y problemau y gellid bod wedi eu hosgoi llynedd. Rydym yn falch fod gwersi gwerthfawr wedi eu dysgu.

2.       A gyhoeddwyd cynlluniau trafnidiaeth i/o Lanbadarn i’r campysau eraill? Os felly ble? A pha gamau sydd wedi eu cymryd i wella diogelwch y rhai sy’n seiclo a cherdded rhwng y dref a’r campws a rhwng y campysau?

3.       I ba raddau (a ym mha ffordd) yr ymgynghorwyd â staff yn ystod llunio’r Cynllun Cyfalaf Projectau, a gyhoeddir yn fuan?

4.       Beth fydd cynrychiolaeth y staff ar y grŵp Gwella Profiad Myfyrwyr, y bwriedir ei gynnull?

5.       Yn ddiweddar, syrthiasom o’r 133^ain i’r 135^ain safle yng Nghynghrair y Bobl a’r Blaned Werdd ar gyfer prifysgolion. Mae Bangor yn 20^fed tra mai ni yw’r isaf trwy Gymru. A gawn ni ymateb manwl i’r ffaith drist hon? Dylai Prifysgol Aberystwyth fod yn arwain y ffordd yn y maes hwn ac ystyried ymchwil Sefydliad Daearyddiaeth a Gwyddorau’r Ddaear (IGES) a Sefydliad y Gwyddorau Biolegol, Amgylcheddol a Gwledig (IBERS) i allyriadau carbon a newid hinsawdd. Mae’n anffodus nodi ein bod ni’n un o brif gyfranwyr i gynhesu byd-eang ymhlith prifysgolion y Deyrnas Gyfunol, ac ymddengys mai ni sydd leiaf pryderus i wneud iawn am hyn, er gwaethaf ein hymchwil gwerthfawr i’r maes hwn.

Edrychwn ymlaen at eich ymateb i’r pwyntiau hyn, ac i barhau deialog gadarnhaol gyda chi a Phwyllgor Gwaith y Brifysgol.

Yr eiddoch,


Am y Pwyllgor Gwaith UCU

National Student Survey Email - UCU Response

All University staff recently received an email from the Vice-Chancellor regarding the results of the national Student Survey. The local executive responded to the email as set out below. We will let you know if we get a reply.

Dear April,

 We welcome the update from you sent to all staff in the light of the publication of the NSS figures. We agree that it is regrettable that the University has dropped in the table, but we are sure you will agree that this is a somewhat blunt instrument for measuring the performance of staff. So while we join with you in congratulating those departments who have managed to increase their overall satisfaction rating, we also recognise the efforts of all staff across the University whether those efforts have been reflected in the NSS or not.

 We are sure that results in the NSS are not the sole drivers for investment plans, and the views of current students and staff are at least as important in shaping investment planning. We welcome the increased investment in the University and its estate and infrastructure which are to the benefit of staff and students, as long as the level of investment is sustainable for the future of the University.

 There some other points that you brought to our attention in your email and we would like to comment on these:

 1.    Forward planning is essential to the future of the University and it is our view that it was a lack of forward planning that led to the avoidable problems with the timetable last year. We are glad to see that valuable lessons have been learnt.

 2.    Have detailed plans for the transport to/from Llanbadarn to other campuses been published? If so where? And what steps have been taken to improve the security and safety of those cycling and walking between the town and the campus, and between campuses?

 3.     To what extent (and by what means) were staff consulted during the drawing up of the Capital Projects Plan, which be published shortly?

 4.     What will be the recognised staff representation on the Student Experience and Enhancement group which is to be convened?

5.   We recently dropped from 133rd to 135^th in the People and Planet Green League for Universities. Bangor are 20^th and we are the lowest in Wales. Can we please have a detailed response to this sad fact? AU should be leading the way in the area, given IGES and IBERS research into carbon emissions and Climate Change and it is unfortunate to see that we are major contributors to global warming amongst the Universities of the UK, and apparently among the least concerned to put this right, despite our valuable research in the area.


We look forward to your responses to these points, and to a continuing positive dialogue with you and the executive of the University. 

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. 

UCU AGM 12.00 5th June C4 Lecture Room, Hugh Owen Building - Please join in.

This year's annual general meeting of the Aberystwyth University Local Association of the UCU will take place at midday on 5th June in C4 Lecture room, Hugh Owen, Penglais Campus.   At this meeting we will elect new members to the UCU Exec and debate motions to set the agenda for Aber UCU activities over the coming year. Please make every effort to attend. An agenda with a list of motions for debate will be circulated shortly before the AGM.

Motions

Members should submit motions for debate to Joe Ironside (jei@aber.ac.uk). If you are unsure of how a motion should be worded, members of the current UCU Exec will be happy to assist you. Ideally, motions should be clear, actionable and achievable.

Nominations

Members who would like to play an active role in the union are invited to stand for election to the Aber UCU Executive. For more information regarding the roles and duties of Exec members, please contact Joe Ironside (jei@aber.ac.uk) or any other current Exec member. Members may stand for any of the following posts:

President
Vice President
Hon. Secretary
Asst. Hon. Secretary
Hon. Treasurer
Membership Secretary
Retired Members' Rep.
Fixed Term and Hourly Paid Staff Rep.
Postgraduate Students' Rep.
Professorial Staff Rep.
Health, Safety and Environment Officer
Contract Research Staff Rep.
Union Learning Rep.
Equality Officer
Ordinary Member

We look forward to seeing all of you at the AGM,