Middlesex University - UNISON

Work Your Proper Hours Day : Reclaim Your Lunch Hour

2012-02-23T13:28:00.002Z

Middlesex University Worker Reclaims Lunch Hour

February 24th marks the TUC work your proper hours day.

UNISON has raised members reported concerns over their increased workloads and stress since the summers restructurings and redundancies with the University.

We are holding an informal lunch hour for members in the Hendon College Building: CG48 12:30 – 1:30pm to discuss issues and raise awareness around stress and the importance of maintaining a work life balance.

Please take the time to join us. UNISON will be providing some lunch, information, recruitment leaflets and an informal questionnaire on workplace issues.

If you can’t make the lunch hour print off the work your proper hours day sign and make sure you take your lunch break and work your proper hours!

More information : Work Your Proper Hours Day

MIDDLESEX UNISON defends our Pensions

2012-01-31T16:28:00.002Z

A few photo's of the Archway Picket, Whittington Hospital Pensions Rally and the Middlesex UNISON Branch on the Pensions Demonstration in central london.

PENSIONS STRIKE 30th November 2011

2012-01-31T16:11:00.003Z

On 30th November members of Middlesex UNISON Branch took part in the largest strike for a generation in defence of our Local Government Pension Scheme.

Pickets were established at the Middlesex Hendon campus, Trent Park, where steward Clive Anthony received this press coverage and the Archway Campus where Middlesex UNISON staff joined forces with Whittington Hospital staff who mounted an impressive rally outside the Hospital.

The Branch held pension meetings, recruitment stalls and in some areas walk throughs of departments, strong support for this action amongst the UNISON membership and non members was evident when the issues were discussed. This support was also reflected on the day in conversations with the public and the sounding of horns of passing drivers.

The Pension ballot remains "live" and further Strike action remains an option to defend our Pension schemes. Let your steward know what your views are on this issue, or email the unison1@mdx.ac.uk so the views of the Branch are represented to UNISON nationally.

Further details are available from the UNISON website

UNISON PENSION BALLOT OPENS 11th OCT

2011-10-06T16:34:00.007+01:00

Vote 'yes'

UNISON is asking its members to vote YES in the ballot for industrial action to protect public sector pensions.

Current proposals mean that most people will pay more and work longer to get a pension that will be worth less.

We are balloting for strike action initially to start on 30 November. We are also working with other trade unions and community groups to organise local and national protests in support of public sector pensions.

We need a big YES vote and a high turnout to send a clear and united message to ministers that "enough is enough", that will help persuade them to withdraw their current unfair and unjustified attacks on pensions.

Click here for further information and myth busting fact sheets

The ballot opens on 11 October and closes on 3 November.

4th October : UNISON call to ACTION!

2011-10-05T00:58:00.004+01:00

UNISON members answered the call to take strike on the 4th of October 2011, joining UCU colleagues and the Students Union (shattering statements that Middlesex Students wouldn't support such action) UNISON members that took action on the 4th, whether joining the pickets, participating in the lobby or simply taking a days strike action should take pride in the fact they have supported the democratic mandate of the Branch and played their part in defending jobs and services at Middlesex University. More statements and information will be communicated by the Branch in the meantime enjoy the slide show!

Middlesex Univeristy UNISON Branch Committee

MUSU supports UNISON!

2011-09-29T18:37:00.001+01:00

Middlesex Students Union have communicated their full support to UNISON and UCU in taking strike action next week.

“MUSU fully supports UNISON in its continuing struggle against the cuts.”

MUSU has passed a motion to 'Oppose cuts throughout the public sector' that states: MUSU resolves: To mandate the Students’ Union Executive to oppose all cuts. And to work with and support the campus Trade Unions in their struggle against these cuts.

MUSU sabbatical officers will be joining the UNISON and UCU picket lines to talk to students about why they are supporting our Strike.

Make sure you are alongside UNISON, UCU and MUSU on the picket lines on the 4^th.

We have faced 4 months of restructures, redundancies and anxiety. We face more restructures, outsourcing and redundancies in the future. We all face extra work and stress. This is our chance to show the University the collective anger of the entire workforce over the redundancies which are the real threat to the student experience and the future of the University.

The students and academics are with us are you?

Contact your Branch rep for details of the picket and planned lobby of the Board of Governors on the 4^th October

Middlesex University UNISON votes to Strike!

2011-09-27T12:34:00.001+01:00

Middlesex University UNISON Branch members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Industrial action in the face of compulsory redundancies at the University.

UNISON members at Middlesex University will now join their UCU colleagues in a day of co-ordinated industrial action on Tuesday 4th October.

UNISON members have stood firm in the face of a rolling programme of restructures, losing colleagues to "voluntary" redundancies and the stress and uncertainty of their jobs being deleted, having to apply for other posts, redeployment pools and compulsory redundancy. Those left face increased workloads, stress, potential future outsourcing and changes to their working patterns.

UNISON members have stood united and said loud and clear

Enough is Enough

UNISON believes that these severe and drastic cuts represent a serious risk to the University, cutting too fast and too deep; potentially damaging key areas of the University business. Middlesex University appears to be adopting a "more with less" policy without adequately explaining how already overstretched staff will continue to provide the "student experience" that the University relies on in their marketing.

UNISON members at Middlesex University will take industrial action not because it is an end in itself. We will take this action as a statement of intent. UNISON will continue to defend our jobs and student services at Middlesex University.

Middlesex UNISON Industrial Ballot Result

2011-09-26T23:46:00.000+01:00

Middlesex University UNISON members have voted as follows in the industrial ballot regarding the potential use of compulsory redundancies at Middlesex University.

The results based on a turnout of almost 40% of eligible members are:

In favour of industrial action short of Strike Action : 93%

In favour of industrial action in the form of Strike Action: 81%

As a union we are mandated by our members to deliver on motions agreed and voted for at our AGM. At which members democratically voted to uphold motions to oppose any compulsory redundancies. This was re-affirmed at an EGM in April before the Branch entered into dispute over this issue. We ran an indicative ballot in August over this issue to judge the strength of feeling and now a formal ballot.

All members have been given an opportunity to exercise their voice. Whatever action the Branch decides to take we ask that all members respect this democratic decision.

The results show a clear mandate for possible action. The Branch will inform members of further developments.

Middlesex University UNISON joins Barnet Independence Day

2011-09-17T22:48:00.001+01:00

Middlesex University UNISON branch joined UNISON branches from across London and members of the public to support Barnet UNISON's protest Barnet councils "One Barnet Programme." Barnet council plan to outsource 70% of the council services to the private sector, David Prentis UNISON's National General Secretary described the councils plans as a "reckless gamble" and John Burgess leader of Barnet UNISON described the plans as "political dogma"

Middlesex University UNISON Branch and its members, apart from sharing the sense of outrage of what can only be seen as an idealogical attack on the public sector, are also concerned about the impact on the Barnet Pension scheme which Middlesex University Employees share with Barnet staff. UNISON commissioned a report on the impact of outsourcing on the pension scheme : the report was damming of the "serious financial risk" to the scheme.

Further information is available from Barnet UNISON's website.

Camden UNISON Local Government Branch Message of Support

2011-09-14T16:06:00.002+01:00

Camden UNISON local Government Branch has passed on this message of support to Middlesex University UNISON in our fight against compulsory redundancies Camden UNISON has also pledged £150 for Middlesex UNISONs' Strike hardship fund should strike action take place

On behalf of the Camden Local Government branch I am writing to extend best wishes and support from our branch, with more than 3,000 members, to yours as it confronts what is most probably the most serious challenge in its history.

At present, you are in the front line of a very serious assault on higher education and its workforce across Britain, but as the recent experience of the London Met branch highlights you can fight and win important concessions at the very least.

With some 200 compulsory redundancies now threatened by university management, you clearly have no alternative but to mount resistance including strike action in the near future.

I understand that your ballot got underway last Friday and concludes in a fortnight's time (Friday 23 September). I am hopeful that it will deliver a very substantial majority in favour of strike action.

In solidarity,

George Binette
Camden UNISON Branch Secretary

Campaign Campus Meetings : This Week

2011-09-11T14:58:00.001+01:00

All UNISON members : Campaign campus meetings scheduled for this week.

HENDON :Monday 12th September 2011. Lecture Theatre C114: 12:30 - 1:30pm

ARCHWAY: Thursday 15th September 2011. Boardroom 3rd Floor Furnival 12:30 - 1:30pm

TRENT PARK: Friday 16th September 2011 M005 12:30 - 1:30pm

ALL WELCOME: Members and none members : Bring a none member and sign them up! We will be distributing and completing campaign material : available from here.

COME ALONG GET INFORMED AND GET INVOLVED

Middlesex University UNISON supports Barnet UNISON

2011-09-10T22:39:00.014+01:00

Middlesex University UNISON Branch has offered this message of support to Barnet UNISON Branch. Though we are currently balloting for industrial action over the potential use of compulsory redundancies at Middlesex University, it is important to remember other struggles that are taking place. Our colleagues in Barnet are facing unprecedented attacks on their terms and conditions. Barnet UNISON will be taking a half day strike on Tuesday 13th September. Middlesex UNISON will join be joining Barnet UNISON to join their protest outside the Town Hall at 5:30pm along with Branches from across London.

Middlesex University UNISON Branch has noted with concern Barnet Councils pursuit of mass outsourcing of its workforce under the guise of “the One Barnet programme”

Plans to transfer 70% of the council workforce into the private sector represents an ideological attack on the Public Sector.

Middlesex University UNISON Branch stands in Solidarity with Barnet UNISON branch. We are currently in dispute with Middlesex University over the use of outsourcing and compulsory redundancies at the University and are ourselves balloting for Strike action.
As a Branch we applaud your plans to fight these proposals, and look to your fight as inspiration in ours.
As a Branch we pledge to join you on the 13^th September at the Town Hall and to build links between our Branches.

Barnet councils plans represent not only a threat to the services many Middlesex University UNISON members rely on as residents of Barnet but also represents a serious financial risk to our members pension scheme should it be outsourced. Together we must organise and resist these plans.

Paul Howell

Branch Secretary on behalf of the Middlesex University UNISON Branch Committee and UNISON Branch

Who's Side Are You On? : VOTE YES

2011-09-04T13:15:00.001+01:00

Billy Bragg again. Anyone want to post other suggestions of union classics on our facebook pages? The best suggestion / most popular becomes our official Branch Anthem. Check out the Pete Seeger Song "which side are you on, on youtube for a Union classic

Power In the Union - GET THE VOTE OUT

2011-09-04T13:04:00.001+01:00

Billy Bragg tells us why there is still power in the organised.

London Met UNISON Branch Backs the Middlesex University Branch

2011-09-02T12:48:00.002+01:00

We are not alone: London Met UNISON offer their support.

London Met UNISON notes with concern the proposal by the management of Middlesex University to make 200 compulsory redundancies.

This is both a betrayal of trust and a slap in the face for hard working members of our union.

We gather you aim to resist these attacks and for this we salute your stance.

Having fought even greater numbers of redundancy proposals in 2009 ourselves, by which we saved 200 jobs and being currently in dispute over a succession of new rolling compulsory redundancies amounting to close to 200 (so far) over the last year, we extend our solidarity to Middlesex UNISON and Middlesex UCU in your own fight.

London Met UNISON pledge to support you in whatever way we can, and encourage your members to stand up with your Branch Committee and fight for every job.

We have shown in our branch that union action can really make a difference. Nothing is set in stone if unions unite and fight together.

London Met Branch Committee

Middlesex UNISON Branch thanks London Met for their Solidarity.

Messages of Support can be sent to UNISON1@mdx.ac.uk

Middlesex University UNISON Branch Ballots for Industrial Action

2011-09-02T12:42:00.000+01:00

Press Release: Full PDF document here

The fight over job losses at Middlesex University represents a fight against the impact of national government spending cuts in the Higher Education sector, as well as the way they are being implemented at the University.
Since the announcement of compulsory redundancies at Middlesex on the 9th June, UNISON has sought to negotiate with the University to avoid recourse to compulsory redundancies. We have questioned the University over their use of outside consultants and outsourcing companies (£2.5 million) failed business ventures in India (Noida) and the University estates strategy.

Middlesex University in its financial statements has claimed that staff costs to income remains “one of the lowest in the sector” yet it still believes it can cut further posts and retain the same level of service and education to its students. UNISON believes that these severe and drastic cuts represent a serious risk to the University, cutting too fast and too deep, damaging key areas of the University business.

The University prides itself on recent gains made in delivering the “Student Experience”: National Student Survey 2010, Guardian League Table 2011 and Complete University Guide 2012. Middlesex University UNISON Branch Secretary : Paul Howell states: “These gains have been delivered by University staff, now threatened with being made compulsory redundant. The increased workloads and stress created for the staff left behind will do little to improve this reputation, the University has used up what little good will it has.”
UNISON members at Middlesex have shown time and again at Branch Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings that they will not take these attacks on their jobs lying down.

UNISON members have indicated overwhelmingly in a consultative ballot that they are prepared to back up this intention with industrial action.

This is action UNISON believes the Students Union and Students at large will support, and UNISON will continue to work with the Students Union in this campaign.

Branch Secretary: Paul Howell states “Students recognise that these cuts are an attack on their education, the University still hasn’t adequately answered how they intend to mitigate the impact of these job losses on the student experience”

Middlesex UNISON does not take such action lightly, we have in conjunction with the academic and lecturers union (UCU) sought to resolve our dispute to avoid the need for Compulsory Redundancies and without recourse to industrial action. Even at this late stage UNISON would welcome a meeting with representatives from the University management to discuss a meaningful redundancy avoidance policy and an improved voluntary redundancy package to allow staff wishing to leave the University the opportunity to do so.

The UNISON ballot will open on the 2nd September and closes on the 23rd September. Subsequent action will be co-ordinated with UCU. Middlesex University UNISON Branch Committee.

UCU and UNISON Joint Meeting

2011-08-17T11:52:00.000+01:00

UNISON and UCU are holding a joint meeting this Thursday 18th to continue to co-ordinate and discuss potential joint action in the light of continuing plans for compulsory redundancies at Middlesex University.

UNISON / UCU Joint Meeting : Hendon Campus Room: CG41 Time: 12 – 2pm

All members of UNISON are invited to attend. Or attend as much as you can manage.

UCU colleagues and Committee members will also be in attendance. Representatives from the Students Union have also been invited.

Please make every effort to come to this meeting. As a Branch we need your input into how we progress from here. Both UCU and UNISON will use this opportunity to update you with the current situation, and propose measures that both Unions membership can participate in.

All UNISON members are entitled to time to attend this meeting. Members at the Archway and Trent Park campuses can contact the unison1@mdx.ac.uk mailbox if they require transport to Hendon be organised for them.

Regards

Middlesex UNISON Branch Committee

Temporary Website Preview

2011-07-10T23:44:00.001+01:00

Middlesex UNISON website

This is a preview of a temporary website for the Middlesex Unison Branch. It is being developed to provide information and act as a repository of documents that members can access to recruit new members or keep up to date with Branch activities. Please email your comments to mdxbranchlines@gmail.com

Lunchtime Rally 30th June

2011-07-10T23:27:00.001+01:00

On the 30th June members of Middlesex University UNISON Branch gathered in their lunch hour to support their UCU colleagues taking industrial action about changes to their Pensions and to raise awareness of the proposed redundancies at Middlesex. Members of the Branch spent their time distributing flyers and talking to staff, students and members of the public about the impact of Government Cuts and the local impact at Middlesex University, whilst several drivers passing by serenaded us with a few supportive sounds from their horns. Below are few photos of the event. Thank you also to Colleagues and members at the Archway Campus who also arranged similar events.

PENSIONS @ Middlesex

2011-06-21T17:21:00.000+01:00

The Branch is currently arranging briefing sessions for Staff and UNISON members on each campus regarding the proposed Pension changes and any resulting action that UNISON may take nationally over this issue. We will inform you when these have been arranged. Details of national UNISON strategy regarding Pensions is available here information on Pensions in general is available here

There will also be time to discuss other issues such as Redundancies at Middlesex. Further dates will be posted here when they are confirmed and further information distributed via email / workplace reps.

The Briefing at the Archway Campus is scheduled for Monday 27th 12 - 1:30pm in the Conference Room 3rd Floor of the Furnival Building.

The Briefing at the Hendon Campus is scheduled for Thursday 7th 12 -1:30pm in room C210

Middlesex UNISON Statement in response to Vice Chancellor

2011-06-15T12:19:00.002+01:00

Dear UNISON Member,

The announcement by the Vice Chancellor (Michael Driscoll) of up to 200 posts to be cut (access via intranet only) is shocking and represents a betrayal of trust to all University Staff.

The University Executive has led staff to believe "The University is in a comparatively strong position in the UK higher education sector" and "we enter this era in good shape" (MDX University Financial Statement 2009 / 10) and in the statement on the 3^rd of May “The University’s sound financial management places us in a far better position than many other institutions.”

Today's announcement shows these statements to be hollow and meaningless. As Middlesex University Staff and Union members we have every reason to feel angry, betrayed and misled today.

The £10 million funding shortfall is not of our making. The University has pursued a policy of expanding student numbers even though the HEFCE fines that Middlesex have incurred "illustrate the inability of universities to boost income through expansion" (Times Higher Education)

The University has pursued its business strategy, asking for staff to undergo restructures and campus closures whilst promoting our achievements in improving the student experience. This is our reward.

This UNISON branch is currently in dispute with the University over Redundancies, as a branch we lobbied the Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday 7th June. Despite the unions efforts, it is now apparent this meeting was used to agree these plans.

The 90 day consultation period over these redundancies has now officially started.

At the AGM and EGM Middlesex UNISON members have voted to support motions to oppose Compulsory redundancies.

We ask you, the members, to back the motions you voted for and support the Branch in whatever action we need to take to oppose these attacks on our jobs.

It is time to fight to defend our jobs and defend Higher Education at Middlesex University.

We will keep you informed of developments. The Branch will call an EGM and we urge all members to make every effort to attend this meeting and any other associated meetings called.

Middlesex UNISON Branch Committee

Vice Chancellor Announcement of Compulsory Redundancies

2011-06-15T12:04:00.001+01:00

The announcement made via email Middlesex University Staff on 9th June. The University is looking at up to 200 job losses with the first 100 to go within the next 90 days. The email can be read here but only on MDX computers (via the intarnet)

MDX UNISON's response is shown above.

Middlesex University Branch Lobby of the Board of Governors

2011-06-13T16:10:00.001+01:00

Tuesday 7th June around 25 - 30 UNISON Branch Members gathered at the Hendon campus to Lobby the Board of Governors over Redundancies and Outsourcing at Middlesex University. The lobby was organised by the Middlesex Unison Branch to support the dispute with the University Executive over compulsory redundancies in the School of Arts and Education and plans to outsource jobs from other sections of the University.

The Branches key points in the dispute are:

A review of the implementation of the redeployment policy to make it easier for members to apply for alternative employment within the University.
A recruitment freeze on external appointments while there are any employees facing redundancy.
An agreed meaningful redundancy avoidance policy
A significantly enhanced voluntary redundancy package.
An agreement to minimise outsourcing and thereby avoid further jobs being lost to the university.

Branch Secretary Jenny Compton Bishop delivered a letter to the Governors expressing staff and union members belief that

We believe that these strategies will seriously impact the student experience and make Middlesex University less rather than more competitive.
The proposed reduction in staff numbers through restructuring will seriously undermine the ability of the University to provide a good service and value for money
In-house staff provide a better service through demonstrated experience, loyalty and good-will. The impact of redundancies and outsourcing is a loss of skills to the University and a detrimental effect to staff morale.

Committee and Branch members spent 2 or so hours talking to staff, students, academics, passer bys and any Governors that were willing to engage with the lobby about the branches dispute and the future of Higher Education in general. The event offered the opportunity for Branch members to exchange experiences and bring their views to the attention of the University governance. However the lobby and the dispute would be overtaken by events in the next few days when it became clear to University staff what had been rubber stamped at the Board of Governors meeting. Photos of the lobby can be accessed by clicking on the link.

MDX Branchlines Extra

Photo Album of March 26th 2010

2011-04-10T15:24:00.000+01:00

Below is a photo album full of images by Branch members on the March, if you have images and video from the day send them to mdxBranchlines@gmail.com.

March 26th 2010

Short Video of the 26th

2011-04-10T14:18:00.000+01:00

Short video submitted by Helen Hayward of the Middlesex University UNISON Branch Contingent.

View on a March : Helen Hayward

2011-04-10T14:12:00.004+01:00

Not being a habitual marcher,(Ok I have only ever been on 2 marches); I thought I would roll up and show my face on Saturday 26^th, especially as the Branch committee was urging us all to support it. I was asked to meet the others outside the Savoy hotel in the Strand at 10.45am. When I got out of Embankment station, the crowds of people were overwhelming and there were police everywhere. Feeling slightly claustrophobic, I made my way to the Savoy,but the others had gone and left me apart from 2 other members who kindly waited for me as I was 1 minute late ! We went down to Victoria Embankment where I ran into the new Comms officer who I roundly told off for not waiting, I think he was keen to march.

Well I waited and waited, there was a carnival atmosphere, reminiscent of Notting Hill carnival, steel bands, whistles, people from all walks of life, young old, you name it, it was there. I was wondering when we were going to get started, and Sara Wright Branch Chair a veteran marcher smiled pityingly at me, ‘you haven’t been on many marches have you, they never start on time’. At 12.00, the Top of the march, which seemed miles away, started to move, and then very slowly filtered down to us in the middle, and we began to move at a snails pace, underneath the Middlesex Banner.There were people shouting slogans from loudspeakers, and police all at the sides of the march.People reminded me not to drink too much water as loos were in short supply.Too late I was dying to go, and it started to rain as well! Luckily a friend in the crowd bought me an umbrella, andI munched on a tuna sandwich as we walked down Whitehall, past the Houses of Parliament and past the statue of Earl Haig. I wondered why the powers that be honoured him considering his conduct brilliantly described in Alan Clark’s book, ‘The Donkeys’. All these random thoughts were in my head as we got stuck in the crowd at Trafalgar Square. ‘Stick the kettle on’, 1 wag shouted at the police, a reference to their ‘kettling techniques’ and they smiled back good naturedly, I think they were sympathetic to our views. on saying No to Unfair spending cuts.

Walking past Haymarket and then past Green park on the way to Hyde park to the rally the crowd thinned out, but it was still dense enough that I lost most of the Branch committee members I had started out with.

When we got to the Park, here was a huge stage with massive screens erected for all the different speakers. I headed like a gazelle for the toilets and it was whilst queuing up that I missed Ed Milliband’s speech. There were lots of speakers from lots of different Trade Unions and the NHS, who all spoke up about the injustice of Public sector workers losing their jobs and being asked to accept pay freezes whilst Out sourcing companies and bankers are making record amounts of money. One fact that particularly resonated is that Philip Green head of Top Shop, avoided paying half a billion pounds worth of tax by banking in Monaco, and this present government instead of telling him off for this, have rewarded him by making him a Government advisor in how to implement Public spending cuts! The hypocrisy is incredible.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day on the March, and would highly recommend it to all Union members, it was perfectly safe and I will definitely be going on the next one.