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July 22nd, 2020:

Call for Members to Become Covid Health and Safety Reps

Jul 22nd, 2020
by kpaulson.
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Dear Members,
Last week we had a meeting on the changes to teaching this coming academic year. A key issue of concern was whether returning to campus would be safe. UCU has attended regular meetings with the H&S Directorate, Estates and HR since lockdown and we are satisfied that the University is prioritizing Health and Safety and is taking an evidence-led approach in the development of it’s safety measures. However, the work is high level, related to risk assessments, policy documents and so on. The safety for individuals is very much dependent on what happens in each of our working areas.
For this reason, we are putting a call out for Covid Health and Safety Reps in each department. The Covid H&S representative can help with advice to staff (all, not just UCU members), liaise with local managers, and report problems to the UCU committee and the Health and Safety Directorate if necessary. They will have access to support and training from the UCU.  Trade Union Health and Safety representatives have special status in the law (rights to investigate, consult and personal protections). In addition, we know that University’s Health and Safety Directorate would welcome additional support from union reps. In essence, we have to work together to keep each other safe.
How to get appointed
  • Discuss being a H&S rep with members of staff in your area, it is OK to have more than one.
  • Contact UCU to let us know. We will pass on your details to HR and the Health & Safety Directorate.
  • Departmental Reps can be H&S reps
What will the role entail?
  • Familiarizing yourself with the relevant policies and risk assessments in your area (can be limited to coronavirus health and safety issues).
  • This includes University documentation, government guidelines, and UCU documentation (e.g. see UCU advice to HE branches attached).
  • Familiarize yourself with your rights as a Trade Union H&S representative.
  • Provide advice to staff in your department, answer staff queries, and report problems to the line manager, Health and Safety Directorate and UCU committee.
  • Liaise with managers in the Faculty who are responsible for Health and Safety. In FHS and FoSE, there are a number of staff who have specialized Health and Safety responsibilities.
UCU committee will provide help and support.
If you have any questions please contact our Branch Secretary, Kevin Paulson, K.S.Paulson@associate.hull.ac.uk   or our Branch Administrator, Vicky Cattini, Victoria.Cattini@hull.ac.uk

 

Change to Timetabled Hours

Jul 22nd, 2020
by kpaulson.
No comments yet
Dear Members,
Last week we held a Branch meeting to address the changes to teaching that have been proposed by management. There was widespread concern on the management’s plan to timetable teaching from 9am – 8pm for specialist spaces, and from 9am – 9pm for generic spaces, Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesday afternoons (from 1pm).
The UCU committee did ask to negotiate on this change to the timetable, but we were refused on the grounds that the Supplementary Terms and Conditions for Academic Staff, states the following:
“The normal hours of work are not specified but are those which are necessary to carry out the responsibilities and duties associated with the post.”
The UCU committee contends that custom and practice is that teaching takes place between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, and our employer’s plan to significantly extend the teaching timetable is a significant change to our working conditions.
At the branch meeting members raised a number of concerns ranging from work/life balance, impact on those with caring responsibilities, and the safety of those travelling at home late at night. Members expressed disappointment that the management sought to impose this change to their working conditions rather than taking a collegial approach given that the reason for the change relates to the health and safety of staff and students.
At the meeting it was agreed to poll the wider membership on the change in timetabled teaching.  This survey will be sent to members in the next few days.