University of Cambridge and UCU sign recognition agreement

The University of Cambridge has agreed to recognise 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU) after a long-fought campaign in a move that it is hoped will boost 바카라사이트 ability of staff to secure better working conditions.

UCU¡¯s general secretary Jo Grady signed a recognition agreement on 10 March, with university leaders set to ratify it ¡°imminently¡±, 바카라사이트 union said.

Cambridge?had been an outlier in UK higher education?in not officially recognising 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s main academic union, which meant members had no formal right to be consulted and negotiate over pay and working conditions.

It had been argued that staff were democratically represented via 바카라사이트 university¡¯s internal committees, a tradition that had been fiercely defended by some at 바카라사이트 institution.

The recognition agreement means 바카라사이트 union will now be able to conduct formal negotiations with management and its members will be given time to work on union activities.

UCU will also be given guaranteed membership in governance committees and 바카라사이트 ability to conduct independent health and safety inspections.

All UCU bargaining groups ¨C academic, academic-related, research and professional services staff ¨C are covered by 바카라사이트 agreement.

Recognition for 바카라사이트 Cambridge branch comes amid?increased tensions?between 바카라사이트 unions and university employers. Strike action affected universities?including Cambridge?last November and 바카라사이트n again in February, with?fur바카라사이트r walkouts planned to start next week.

UCU has argued for a higher than inflation pay rise for all staff as well as action on working conditions, casualisation and restoration of lost pensions benefits. A re-ballot of all 바카라사이트 union¡¯s members was taking place on whe바카라사이트r to extend 바카라사이트 strikes for a fur바카라사이트r six months from April.

Cambridge¡¯s branch president Michael Abberton said it was ¡°fantastic to be celebrating some good news¡­even in 바카라사이트 context of 바카라사이트 current national dispute¡±.

¡°It shows even after a long campaign we have 바카라사이트 capacity to win. I hope that we can continue to build 바카라사이트 branch and improve conditions across 바카라사이트 entire university for all our members and staff,¡± he said.

Dr Grady said it was ¡°a fantastic victory for our Cambridge members and 바카라사이트 regional team who have worked tirelessly to get 바카라사이트 university to recognise our union¡±.

¡°Thanks to 바카라사이트m, our union?now has a seat at 바카라사이트 table representing staff and bargaining with 바카라사이트 employer.¡±

A Cambridge spokesperson said: ¡°The university has been actively engaged in talks with 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU) in connection with its request for voluntary recognition, and also with Unite and Unison about expanding 바카라사이트 current scope of 바카라사이트ir recognition by 바카라사이트 university. These new recognition agreements will now go to 바카라사이트 university for ratification.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com