Minutes of D.U.C.U. Branch Committee Meeting: 3rd July, 2012.
Present:
Janice Aitken (chair)
Mona Clark (secretary)
Carlo Morelli
Marion Sporing
Apologies:
Sam Crouch
Ian Ellis
Mari-Cruz Garcia
Rosa Michaelson
Angela Roger
Sharon Sweeny
198.1
The Minutes of the last Branch Committee (5th June) were accepted as a true record.
198.2
There were no matters arising that were not part of the substantive agenda
198.3
Report from UCU Congress . It was noted that the results of the consultative email
put out by the General Secretary on proposals to change the structure and organisation of UCU
Congress seemed to reflect views which then were not supported by delegates. It was decided
that a committee would be set up to discuss democracy within the union and its relationship with
union governance. Other key items referred to were that grade slippage was being identified in
a number of universities and delegates were asked for examples from their particular institution.
Stress, particularly that caused by victimisation, appears to be increasing and this is a worrying
development.
198.4
Revised probationary procedures. The relevant documents have been discussed in
depth and various relatively minor changes have been made as a result of DUCU’s involvement.
An example is where DUCU insisted that an external reviewer be involved in the formal
assessment process DUCU is still in principle totally opposed to the whole concept of probation,
including the element in the process which proposes that all probationers should have to go
through another formal assessment and another formal interview in order to complete their
probationary period. Theoretically at this specific stage, a probationer could fail the assessment
and thus lose his/her employment. . Unease was also expressed about the fact that it was
theoretically possible that someone could be moved from a Teaching and Research contract to a
Teaching and Scholarship contract, or vice versa, and that implied a new probationary period. It
was agreed that the whole concept of probation be put on the agenda for the next Joint
Negotiating Committee where DUCU will refuse to agree with the whole principle. Meanwhile
members should be advised not to change their contract.
198.5
REF meeting with Pam Milne. At this meeting the Code of Practise for submission to
REF was discussed. The question of what will be the position of those who have not been
entered into the REF. This question also relates to the above situation regarding any proposals
to change a member of staff’s contract.
198.6
The ‘whistle-blowing’ situation in Nursing and Midwifery and the formal meeting of
senior management, which included an external representative from Court, and at which DUCU
was represented, was reported to the Committee. For reasons of confidentiality , full details
cannot be spelled out. However if , as seems to be the case, the whistle-blowers will be
vindicated, then there are possible ‘knock on’ implications for the role of School Boards across
the University.
198.7
Workloads review in Nursing and Midwifery. DUCU met with the member of staff in
Nursing and Midwifery who has been tasked with constructing an equitable and transparent new
model for the School. A great deal of discussion with staff and analysis of the issues and
problems has now been done, including assessing the length of time taken over new tasks. The
final model is to be given to the Dean on July 13th. However it was noted that there could be a
problem in implementing the changes needed by the start of the new academic year
198.8
DUCU motion to UCU special conference on September 13 on the USS negotiations.
Two possible motions were tabled. It was agreed that one motion should go to a Branch meeting
to be debated in time for the date of submission which is July 31st.
198.9
It was noted that promotion documentation references promotion from grade 7 to
grade 8. This contradicts the Framework Agreement and has not been discussed with DUCU.
The situation in reality is that the transfer of academics from grade 7 to grade 8 was automatic
upon satisfactory completion of progress by the relevant line manager. Dr McGeorge agreed to
discuss this with Pam Milne and then respond to DUCU .
198.9
There appears to be two cases of gender discrimination ( two members of staff on
maternity leave). Assistant Secretary to contact HR with regard to this , and also Mary Senior,
UCU Scotland office, as advice is required for a tribunal hearing.
198.10
The increasing amount of reported stress amongst members is giving cause for
concern, especially where it seems possible that the consequences of stress can be extremely
damaging to an individual. It was agreed that a workshop or open meeting should be set up and
co-ordinated with Fiona Grant, the University Mental Health nurse, should it be considered, other
trained professionals in this area. The general issue to go to the next meeting of the JNC and it
was also proposed that Ian Scragg, University Health and Safety Officer, should be involved.
Meanwhile Branch Committee members are encouraged to attend a training session ‘Protecting
Vulnerable Workers, in Glasgow on August 12st and 22nd.
198.11
The first formal meeting with Ian Scragg and all H. and S. union reps has taken place
and was considered to be very useful. There is now an emphasis on line managers taking up
formal training in health and safety issues, which will in the future be mandatory. The deadline for
staff completing the wellbeing survey in Nursing and Midwifery is to be extended to another week,
as there has not been a very good response so far. The next step will be to arrange focus
groups in order to get further and better understanding of the key issues and problems.
198.12
Tom McConnachie has agreed to be DUCU campus nursing representative on the
Branch Committee and has been added to the Branch Committee circulation list.
198.13
It was agreed to support the Secretary’s proposal to put out a regular, informal
newssheet to members of the Branch Committee, over the summer in order to keep in touch. It is
hoped that members themselves will contribute ‘small talk.’
198.14
AOCB
198.14.1 Organisational and structural changes appear to have been proposed
and/or made in the School of Dentistry without the staff being consulted or being even aware of
what was happening. The lack of transparency and consultation, a repetition of similar situations
in other Schools, will be taken to the next meeting of the Collective Consultation Group. Although
the changes proposed will specifically affect members of UNISON or UNITE, it was agreed that
DUCU should also be involved as the changes at secretarial level will have an impact on
academic and academic-related staff
198.14.2
The Dundee Together anti-racist festival and protest against the SDL
demonstration in the city on September 1st was noted and members are asked to support it.
198.14.3
Student Services noted that the requirements for jobs at grade 5 now
include a degree for such work available
198.14.4
It was agreed to send a donation of £50 and a message of support to the
striking Spanish miners.
Mona Clark,
Secretary.
July 23rd, 2012.