UNISON PENSION BALLOT OPENS 11th OCT

 

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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

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