LUCU works with the University on policies, procedures and practices that affect the performance and well-being of its members. LUCU has contributed recently to developing:

• Health and Safety and Occupational Health policies and procedures;
• Procedures for the use of VDUs;
• Stress policy;
• Alcohol policy;
• Departmental workload agreements;.

As such we are keen to be involved in any institutional initiative that may affect our members’ work performance, social life and dignity. We provide support and advice to our members when they feel that they are not receiving fair, equal and respectful treatment.

January 2010 Newsletter   click here for a copy of the latest Newsletter

Facilities Time

More than a year ago the LUCU committee requested an increase in the amount of time allocated to its officers to spend on union activity (facilities time). We asked for an increase from 0.5 FTE to 1.0. This request was turned down at our negotiating meeting with senior management earlier this year. Following a paper to Operations Committee in which we presented a business case for an increase in facilities time, we were offered an increase to just 0.75 FTE. At the time, senior management agreed to revisit the facilities time agreement only following ‘changes to the negotiating machinery’.

The position of LUCU committee on negotiation is clear: we have agreed negotiating rights and the negotiating committee ARSNC (Academic and Related Staff Negotiating Sub-Committee) is a joint committee of Senate and Council. We have been working closely with our sister unions, Unison and Unite on this issue and we are all in agreement that we intend to retain our individual negotiating rights but we have agreed to joint consultation on issues that affect all of our members. In a recent letter to the Director of Human Resources we made a joint statement setting out our position on negotiation and consultation and also requesting the same negotiating rights for all three campus unions.

© Loughborough UCU Committee, December 2008.