Pay 2006
My Amicus – Important Message
Union Learning Representative (ULR) Training & Events
New TUPE 2006 Regulations Announced
Information for Negotiators – The Economy
Workers’ Memorial Day, Friday 28th April
Amicus Survey on Job Evaluation
Pay 2006
Currently Amicus is awaiting confirmation about the recent ballots by both AUT and NATFHE for industrial action in support of their pay claim covering academic staff for 2006. Press reports indicate that both unions have secured majorities for industrial action but nothing officially or unofficially has been received from either union.
Amicus is currently not in dispute and we are awaiting a meeting with UCEA following the negotiation meeting at JNCHES in January.
At that meeting UCEA indicated it would like to meet with PTAAS support staff unions in late February or early March to progress the 2006 pay claim. To date no further meetings have been arranged.
A circular has gone out to all higher education representatives of Amicus advising them that the union is awaiting full legal advice on the AUT/NATFHE dispute but until that advice has been received our members should continue to work normally.
A further circular will be issued as soon as clarification has been obtained or if a meeting with UCEA through JNCHES takes place.
If members are in any doubt as to how to proceed locally, they should contact their local Amicus Regional Officer for advice.
My Amicus – Important Message
It is vitally important that all members who are currently receiving this e bulletin sign up to My Amicus. This is the section on the main Amicus web site that is specifically for members, with lots of information that can only be accessed via this site. The process is very simple you just need to register using your email address and membership number, you will then be given a personal password to use when you next log in. You can then tailor what you would like to see on the Amicus web site and this will be produced in relation to your preferences via a personalised home page.
Union Learning Representative (ULR) Training & Events
The new training and events programme up to April 2006 for Union Learning Representatives has been announced, there are a number of courses including Lifelong Learning stage 1 and stage 2, and also TUC Learning Reps Courses. For further information about the courses and how to book a place please contact Eileen Francis. Amicus Learning Organiser for London on 020-7780-4095 or email Eileen Francis
New TUPE 2006 Regulations Announced
The new TUPE regulations along with the Government’s guidance on them and response to the consultation have been published by the DTI. The new regulations come into force for transfers on or after 6 April 2006 . There are 5 key areas of change;
the new provisions governing changes of service provision (i.e. outsourcing and insourcing) and which employees transfer as a part of that process
the creation of a stand alone constructive unfair dismissal claim where there are substantial adverse changes in working conditions
freedom to negotiate changes to terms and conditions of employment where the seller is in administration and the exclusion from transfer of liabilities within the insolvency guarantee
the duty to notify specified “employee liability information” to the transferee 14 days before the transfer on pain of a legal claim by the transferee for compensation of £500 per employee
joint and several liability between transferor and transferee for failure to inform and consult
For further information please go to the dti web site
Information for Negotiators – The Economy
A new section of the Amicus web site is now up and running, the section can be accessed via the Information for Negotiators section and is called The Economy. This site will assist reps, officers of the union and members in their negotiations. The site has up to date information regarding economic indicators and also includes the Amicus view of present economic policy and how it affects our members, the site can be accessed at here.
Workers’ Memorial Day, Friday 28th April
Every year on 28 th April we remember those who have been killed by their work. This year’s theme is Prevention and Accountability . Workplace deaths are avoidable and poor health and safety is the cause. Amicus has been campaigning for a corporate manslaughter law, to make employers accountable for the health and safety of their employees. The Government has finally published a draft Bill which is being consulted on now. More details of this campaign can be found here.
The Amicus Education Department has some Workers’ Memorial Day ribbons, posters, car stickers and lapel stickers, which members and reps can order from Roger Bates, 020 8315 8299. If branches are having large events they can get larger supplies direct from Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, Tel 0161 636 7557, Fax 0161 636 7556, email.
Details of Workers’ Memorial Day resources and events around the UK can be found here. If you are involved in organising an event or hear about one that is not listed, please email the details to Chris O’leary.
Amicus Survey on Job Evaluation
Amicus is again surveying reps in the Higher Education sector regarding the job evaluation process and the survey forms will be sent out shortly. The survey is being carried out in conjunction with Labour Research, who will be sending the survey out, collating the returns and also producing the statistical analysis. The survey report itself will be written and produced by Amicus. To ensure we get a true picture of what is happening regarding the job evaluation process at this time, it is imperative that all senior reps at each institution provide a response for the members who work for that institution, we do not need a returned survey from every rep, and just one returned response from each institution. It is vital that responses are returned promptly to Labour Research as we are following a strict time schedule. Amicus appreciates the assistance we receive from reps concerning these surveys and we look forward to seeing the results of the survey and writing the report, which we hope to launch at the Regional Sector Conference in June 2006.
This bulletin has been produced by Janet Golds, Research Officer for the Higher Education Sector. If you have any news items you would like included in the e bulletin, please contact Janet Golds.