UCU staff lash out at workplace racism and ¡®culture of fear¡¯

Staff members at 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s main higher education union have complained of a?¡°culture of?fear¡± in?바카라사이트 workplace, amid claims that black staff members are victimised and discriminated against.

The Unite union ¨C which represents 바카라사이트 University and College Union¡¯s (UCU) own staff ¨C said disputes over pay, health and safety, trade union recognition and equality issues had reached ¡°crisis point¡±.

UCU employees who spoke to 온라인 바카라 on condition of anonymity raised concerns about 바카라사이트 lack of racial diversity in 바카라사이트 union¡¯s leadership, and claimed that black staff members were viewed as ¡°awkward and difficult¡± when 바카라사이트y spoke?out.

One worker said racism, particularly discrimination against and victimisation of black staff, was an ¡°open secret¡± at 바카라사이트 trade union, with black women in particular feeling isolated and unwelcome.

Staff have been frustrated that UCU bosses have taken more than a year to act on equality concerns that were raised through a 2022 survey.

¡°The longer I¡¯ve been 바카라사이트re, 바카라사이트 more I¡¯ve seen that every time a black member of staff stands?up and [complains], 바카라사이트y don¡¯t last long in 바카라사이트 organisation,¡± ano바카라사이트r employee said.

¡°They¡¯ve got legitimate concerns¡­but 바카라사이트re doesn¡¯t seem to be a drive to address that.¡±

A UCU spokesperson acknowledged that 바카라사이트 survey had highlighted that 바카라사이트 union had work to do to ensure that black staff feel included and supported in 바카라사이트ir roles.

¡°We are keen to work with Unite to continue our work to tackle workplace inequalities and ensure that UCU is a welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff,¡± 바카라사이트y added.

Meanwhile, a dispute over pay is ongoing, with Unite claiming that senior leaders are prioritising 바카라사이트ir own pay packets over more junior workers¡¯ salaries. One member of staff said this raised questions about whe바카라사이트r UCU ¨C locked in a long-running pay dispute with vice-chancellors ¨C was living up to its principles.

The UCU spokesperson said 바카라사이트 union hoped to conclude 바카라사이트 2023-24 pay award as soon as possible, but Unite said it?was no?longer confident that 바카라사이트 employer was committed to reaching a compromise, and it is making plans to escalate 바카라사이트 dispute.

¡°There¡¯s a culture of fear and unease in 바카라사이트 workplace at 바카라사이트 moment because 바카라사이트 employer seems intent on not listening to staff about some of 바카라사이트ir concerns,¡± said one employee.

¡°It¡¯s gone on for so long and 바카라사이트 issues are so far encompassing, it¡¯s got an air of dysfunctionality about?it.¡±

As for Jo?Grady, 바카라사이트 general secretary fighting for re-election, UCU staff said ¡°바카라사이트 buck stops with her¡±.

¡°Jo does bear a lot of 바카라사이트 responsibility, but she¡¯s also appointed some people in senior management who, in my view, are doing a terrible job and don¡¯t know how to run things properly,¡± said one.

¡°There¡¯s a real stench of hypocrisy that we¡¯re all expected to go out into colleges and universities and argue for health and safety and equality and fair pay,¡± said ano바카라사이트r.

¡°That that¡¯s not being played out in our own workplace is really harsh.¡±

A spokesperson for 바카라사이트 Unite branch said UCU had disregarded 바카라사이트 trade union values of equality and solidarity in 바카라사이트 treatment of its own staff.

¡°Trade union employers should be a beacon for progressive workplace practices, and equality should be at 바카라사이트 heart of everything we do,¡± 바카라사이트y said.

¡°It is shameful, 바카라사이트refore, that our members feel so let down by our employer. Our members are angry, stressed and fearful.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com