Nearly two years ago Queen Mary comissioned a report into racism and other equalities issues at Queen Mary. Last summer the 'Inclusion Report' with appendices containing testimonies from members of staff was finally produced and presented to the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group. However by the time it was made available to staff, these … Continue reading How to turn an Inclusion Report into an Exclusion Report
Equalities Issues and Institutional Racism at Queen Mary
In 2019 QM UCU, in partnership with QM UNISON, initiated a series of gatherings for protected characteristic groups of staff and students at Queen Mary, in response to concerns about equalities at Queen Mary, the results of the Staff Survey, the BAME / gender pay gap report and Diversity and Inclusion manager Sandra Brown’s resignation … Continue reading Equalities Issues and Institutional Racism at Queen Mary
Guidance on your employment rights: non-renewal of fixed term contracts
The expiry and non-renewal of a fixed-term contract is regarded in law as a dismissal. If a contract isn’t renewed this is considered to be a dismissal, and if the employee has 2 years’ service the employer needs to show that there’s a ‘fair’ reason for not renewing the contract (eg. if they were planning … Continue reading Guidance on your employment rights: non-renewal of fixed term contracts
Voluntary Options and Casualised Staff
The following was sent to Senior Management on 20th July 2020 Dear Queen Mary SMT, It has come to our attention that some QM staff who may have been eligible for the Voluntary Severance did not receive notification of the options available to them. This is an extremely serious situation, and we therefore request that the VS scheme … Continue reading Voluntary Options and Casualised Staff
Why Are We Striking?
British higher education is being destroyed by marketisation. Students suffer vast fee increases and higher living costs, forcing many to work virtually full-time jobs to survive. On campus, they encounter packed seminar rooms and overcrowded libraries, with overworked, stressed-out staff struggling to provide the help that students need. Staff pay and pensions are continually … Continue reading Why Are We Striking?
Staff Survey: worsening conditions, worsening pay and pensions. Enough is enough.
The staff survey results are truly awful. It is clear that management has made the working environment worse. Increasing bullying and decreasing sense of inclusivity. And you are being paid less and you face paying even more for your pension.
Strike!
The strike is ON as yesterday’s negotiations offer no improvement. UCU negotiators met with the University and College Employer Association (UCEA) this week in the hope of finding a solution to the current dispute amidst growing anger over news that vice-chancellor pay rose by 6.1% last year. Regrettably UCEA made no improvement on the 1.1% … Continue reading Strike!
What matters to you most at Queen Mary?
It might be the struggle to keep your work hours under control and maintain work-life balance. It might be the wish for better connection between high level decisions and work on the ground. Or it could well be the need for a safe and fulfilling work environment in which your contributions are recognised, your career … Continue reading What matters to you most at Queen Mary?