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At the most recent EIS ULA Executive Committee meeting, the national dispute regarding the 2024-25 pay offer from UCEA was discussed. After lengthy debate, the Committee took the view not to request a statutory ballot for industrial action in pursuit of an improved 2024-25 offer but to contrate efforts on the 2025-26 offer with a rapid move to dispute if a unacceptable opening offer is not made.
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EIS-ULA Conference 2025: Degrowth
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This year’s EIS ULA annual conference is being held at the Voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday 26th March, which is open to all EIS ULA members.
The first part of our conference will focus on a discussion of the degrowth movement, a socio-economic framework that challenges the pattern of seeking endless economic growth and the idea that economies cannot continue to grow in a world of finite resource, where they should seek to use fewer resources / energy and prioritise well-being over profit.
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Our main speaker will be Dr Kai Heron, Lecturer in Political Ecology at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre. Dr Heron is also member of Abundance, an organisation that promotes public-common strategies to democratise the economy and realise a just socio-ecological transition for everyone.
In the afternoon session, the main conference business will take place and will include an update on the national negotiating picture and move on to debate and voting on motions submitted by EIS ULA Branches and Executive Committee.
A plenary session is also planned for the afternoon session, where we have invited speakers from the degrowth movement.
Following the conference, a drinks reception & dinner has been organised which all delegates are welcome to attend.
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At a recent branch meeting, our members at Robert Gordon University decided to request a second statutory ballot for industrial action, relating to the ongoing compulsory redundancies dispute which could affect up to 20 academic staff. At the meeting, the members were upbeat and determined to push back against the proposed cuts to staff and, ultimately, student provision being offered at the university.
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The EIS Emergency Executive Committee sat in February to discuss the redundancies dispute. The Committee took the decision to authorise a second statutory ballot. The statutory ballot is now open and will close on Thursday 20th March.
The situation at RGU is what many other universities are seeking to do at the moment. Members across the EIS ULA need to stand together against the threat of compulsory redundancies and employers who see cutting staff numbers as an easy way to balance the budget sheet.
Messages of support for the branch can be sent to National Officer Garry Ross at garry.ross@eis.org.uk, who will forward these onto the Branch Secretary at RGU, Chris Yuill.
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International Women's Day
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As part of the EIS’s International Women’s Day activities, the EIS will be focusing on #AcceleratingAction on Menopause and Menstrual Health at Work. Local Association and Branch Secretaries, and members should look out for the EIS refreshed Guidance on Menopause and Menstrual Health at Work and are encouraged to utilise this guidance to host local discussions about Menopause and Menstrual Health as workplace issues.
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EIS Reps' and Branch Secretaries' Training
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The EIS supports and trains members to become local representatives within their workplace. Training on offer is inclusive of Health and Safety, Learning and Equality Reps. The EIS works with lecturers to deliver TUC accredited Reps’ training.
Information on the courses available to our members is on our website. Members who wish to register their interest in any of the available courses should first contact their branch secretary or contact Sonia Leal at sleal@eis.org.uk.
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Branches without EIS-ULA Reps or Office Bearers
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If you are at a university which does not currently have an EIS ULA rep or Office Bearers (Branch Secretary and Branch Convener), please seek to organise as a branch and to elect to these positions.
By doing so, you and your colleagues will be better positioned to help and support each other at your university and contribute to the work of the EIS ULA nationally.
Please contact your EIS Organiser and ask them to visit your branch.
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