1. Branch Secretaries’ report (VS)
   a. Professional Services Transformation Project 2030 causing lots of restructures across UoB.

• Process is joint trade unions informed roughly a day before staff. We give initial feedback, then Branch Secretaries or another rep attend all staff initial consultation meetings with HR. 

• Current restructures include Health, Safety and Quality assurance; Campus Digital Technologies, Marketing, Health and Life Sciences, Student Wellbeing Service and the Business School. Many more ongoing.  

• Workplace contacts in a restructure area – management should be helping you to facilitate conversations with membership. Request some time at the end of the all-staff meetings to talk to members and other staff without managers there.  You can also collect feedback through Microsoft Forms. 

ACTION: Please get in touch if you’re worried or have thoughts to share regarding a (possible) restructure in your area
 

1. Student Wellbeing restructure – letter sent to HR SMT.

• Initially negotiated a delay to implementation until January to give some more time to work out details.
  We have not heard any more, so following up alongside the other trade unions
   

1. Caseload (individuals seeking support) – currently 35 open cases,
   trained stewards, and a few people doing
   . 

ACTION: Please get in touch if you’d like to become a steward or have any questions about it.  Or if you don’t
as hugely needed. 

1. Branch organisational framework – regional rep, Chris Roche, met some exec to discuss branch organisation and what we want to achieve over the next

• work ongoing, info to be circulated as soon as it’s ready. 

• Vicky working on membership data as work location not always obvious. 

ACTION: Please check your workplace location on My UNISON
and either update there or let us know if you need a change. 

 

2. Stike ballot update (AK, VR, ECK) – UCEA national pay negotiations outcome came later than normal and ended in dispute. Universities could defer implementation, so we received our uplift in October. National dispute response is overseen by elected individuals called the Service Group Executive.  They called a ballot but gave branches little notice. SGE has now decided to delay this, with implications for when we can strike.

• Ballot now runs 21st January 2025 to 4th March, results 19th March.  50% branch turnout needed to strike.  If vote to strike, mandate will run 8th April to 3rd September. Branch will hold ballot/strike information meeting(s) in due course. 

• Strike Action Group restarting again for ballot and potential future strike actions.  Range of small jobs to volunteer for include making/distributing posters, setting up talks, other comms support, telephone banking, etc. 

• Sustained action and our collective strength is what has won us our achievements, but we have further to go! 

ACTION: if your address has changed, please let us know or update on My UNISON 

ACTION: Message Comms team (Elle or Mia) to be added to the Action Group Teams channel 

ACTION: help raise awareness that this is coming.  Speak to your teams, contact Alex to get a local talk, generate interest!
 

3. Maternity Rights Committee (VS)
   Setting up a committee on maternity rights, policies and payments.
   ACTION: contact Vicky if you’re interested in joining, or if you’d like to see a committe on anything else you’re passionate about. 

 

4. Higher Education Service Group Executive South West Female Seat (ECK) – Elle is running.
   pportunity for UoB voice in shaping decisions affecting the branch, e.g. around ballots and strike action, and pushing national UNISON to hold the government to account on the state of HE.

• All full members as of 4th November 2024 can vote. 

• Timeline: ballot open 4th February to 4th March 2025 (latest members can request a ballot paper 12noon on 20 February 2025).  Result announced 25th March. 

ACTION: Make sure your address is up to date and please vote! 

5. Palestine events this week (SK)

• Wednesday 27th March, panel discussion on  demilitiarsing education 

• Thursday 28th March, workplace day of action for Palestine. 12pm meet at Wills Building, walk down to 12.30pm College Green worker rally (TUC sponsored) 

ACTION: Contact Surinder for more information on how to get involved with actions for Palestine, including joining WhatsAp groups. 

 

6. Union office open hours (VK and AK) – Vicky working at 1D Prio
   13:00 to 17:00 every Wednesday, Alex 09:00 to 12:30 every Friday.

 

7. Branch AGM Alexander Kidd – AGM tbc first week of March. Info on running for exec positions to be circulated in December, nominations close in January. Will be (properly) catered. Invite and dietary request form coming soon.

• AK has suggestions on possible updates to the branch constitution.