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AUT Branch Meeting

27.2.06

22 Apologies had been received and 43 members were in attendance.

Nicole Busby welcomed everyone to the meeting as Chair and introduced Dave – President and Lisa – Secretary.

Amended agenda as focussing on strike – items 1 and 2 would be carried over to next meeting.

• Planning for strike action – see http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/1/c/aut-guidetoaction.pdf

Iain Ferguson, local strike organiser reported that next Tuesday on 7 March there would be regional demos and rallies.  He had booked the Lecture theatre in the Cowane Centre and invited Melanie Ward, NUS President and Stirling alumnus; Deborah Shepherd, AUT Regional Officer, who had attended several of our branch meetings and he had written to all political parties.  Timing 11.30 – 2.30pm.  Picketing from 7.30 – 10.30 – sheet available for sign-up.  Other LAs were holding lunchtime rallies to allow other Unions members opportunity to attend. 

Dave asked – what do we want to do?  He was cautious about a march as last time there were very few of us, although the media reported it well.  His suggestion was we would picket and then go for breakfast paid for by AUT and then go to Cowane Centre. 

At a meeting last week he had with the Principal, he got university agreement that savings from salaries will go to student hardship fund.  Management gave no assurance that they will make no deduction for action short of a strike.

We will picket both entrances and want good coverage to act as a symbolic start to the dispute.  Urge people to join otherwise not protected if on strike and not a member.

Agreed to leaflet the atrium on Thursday between 12.30 and 1.30pm.  Volunteers wanted.  Also suggested that factsheet for students and parents, will be handed out and linked to from our web page.  Please circulate to students - http://www.aut.org.uk/media/html/r/d/payaction_studentfacts.html

• March 8 onwards – What is action short of a strike see http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1523

Same guidance as last time.  The boycott of assessment is what had the most impact last time.  Pressure on VCs – UCEA.  It is very difficult to do.  Don’t enjoy doing but will bring employer back to table.  Doing this because we have not had an offer.  At the moment UCEA will not negotiate whilst there is threat to call off.  Dave went through each of the 4 ways you can carry out action short of a strike.

• A boycott of assessment and examinations activity
• A refusal to honour established call-out arrangements
• A boycott of staff appraisal schemes
• A refusal to cover for absent colleagues

Questions from members

• Applicants days – the three remaining are all on Saturdays.  Dave would ask for clarification.
• Staff in Registry - This aspect of action short of a strike does not apply to any member whose role consists entirely or almost entirely of assessment and examinations work - for example, a registry examinations officer who centrally administers examinations.
• Examinations officer in a department – not primary purpose so not exempt.  Do not want to give any exemptions.  Aim is to get employers back to the table.  Have to hold our nerve. 
• Pay deductions – will cover later under Agenda item 3.  Dave asked if people had seen the review in national press about unpaid overtime.
• Exams – setting weekly quizzes – and assessed seminar presentations: should not mark anything as becomes University property.  Dave would seek clarification on presentations by students – count for 50% of mark.  Suggestion that lecturer should get students to write in advance to Principal to voice their concern. 
• Appraisal – let them know you are not doing it.  Bear in mind that in dispute with employer.

3) March 20 Court Meeting (deductions of pay for partial performance) – see http://www.thes.co.uk/search/story.aspx?story_id=2027590 where emails from York and Stirling’s HR directors were leaked.  AUT York – the HR Director has been demoted and taken out of FA negotiations.    Dave had written to the Principal to rebut the article and had a 3 line reply from the Principal where she said that they always make deductions but he had replied again saying yes for strike but not for action short of a strike.  Court had taken a strategic view and said no.  He then had met the Principal last week and she said they were passing to Court – he does not know whether they are making any recommendation.  UCEA recommends that the VCs make deductions for partial performance.  The legal position supports this.  Dave will be at Court on 20 March, ……..

Questions:

• Q Says 8 March how long will it go on for?  A Indefinitely – want an offer
• Q Exemptions from strike day? A Never have done except on health and safety grounds
• Q Call out/out of hours working? A May not be required to do but don’t work longer hours
• Action short of a strike will be irretrievable for some students but should be totally unified.  Very clear and ask students to send letters to the Principal – it is her issue she should deal with it. 
• Q Framework Agreement – should we continue taking part? A Yes it is ringfenced so still take part in role analysis.  We want to get it implemented by August.  Out of hours? – different contracts covered by AUT members, e.g., ALC – 9-5

If they do go ahead with deductions they had better get it right or we will take them to court and get an interdict.  It is very disturbing that at York they demoted the individual whereas at Stirling not done anything.  They have discretion – regard as provocation!  Will withdraw goodwill – very angry at Martin McCrindle.  Dave will put Nichol Stephen’s letter on web.    If take deductions will make a national dispute into a local one – entitled then to take steps.  He thinks they are taking to Court to delay a decision.  Students have contract with University – won’t sue individuals. 

• SUSA Support

NUS supporting AUT action.  Dave is attending SUSA Council tonight (actually Tues 28 February).  Got support from them last time.

• Graduation

24 March – Dave had already signed up but everyone should withdraw – no processing or stage presence.  June graduation more visible but need an expression of action so don’t process.

AOB

Staff Assembly – 1 March 2pm – please attend.  Volunteers for leafleting required