Unison @ Bath Spa University

This is the web site for Unison members - and people thinking of becoming members - at Bath Spa University. Use the links on the left to find out more about Unison activities at BSU.

A particular welcome if you've recently joined. Not a member? Join now and help Unison's effective campaign to help serve everyone's interests.

Our 2013 AGM? Thanks everyone, it was well quorate!

In November 2011 Unison regretfully had to stage a day of action in support of our pensions - and it was widely supported by you, with the result that Unison made progress with the issue. In recent years, people have come to think of unions as a service - you may think

'What can a union do for me?'.

The reverse of this coin is that unions can only act on your behalf when, as a group, we support each other even to the extent of supporting industrial action if it's necessary.

Pensions update

Seven links:

• Pensions Mythbuster
• Resource Pack
• Case Studies
• Dave Prentis on why you should vote yes
• Pat Barrett - SW retired member on her "gold-plated pension"
• Why I'm voting Yes - our members speak up
• Coventry District Branch video on the pensions campaign

Pensions

This is a very live issue for us, it's good if you know about this, here's three links:

• Unison press release on Higher Education Pay: 12th July 2011
• Pensions myths
• Protect our pensions

Thinking of joining?

Now is a particularly good time. The more members we have, the more that Unions can work for the good of everyone working in higher education. Use the 'Join' link on the left. If you're academic staff, check out UCU's Bath Spa branch site.

Workplace reps

We have some and we'd love more. Interested? Do get in touch.

Browne review of higher education funding

Here's more from Wikipedia

The end of the public university in England

James Vernon is a professor of history at the University of California, Berkeley. Read his blog post:

"As the recession grips, market models of utility and efficiency have
surely been exposed as a dangerous fallacy so this is a good moment
to re-articulate the purpose and role of humanities and social sciences
in ways that justify renewed public investment in them."

If you're thinking of joining and need more practical info, you can check the costs of belonging to Unison on a downloadable application form (PDF). When you do that, remember the benefits (external link) that unions can bring to your workplace and to you.

These aren't the best of times for many people. If you need work-related help, be aware that apart from unions there are other organisations that can provide advice to individuals - for example ACAS provides advice on employment matters to individuals and organisations. Direct.Gov has a large and coherent section on employment issues.

You might find it interesting to read up on a bit of theory from the world of personnel. This particular bit concerns the 'Psychological contract'. In brief, while any individual has a formal contract with an employer there is also a second unwritten contract - the psychological contract - which is just as important to the effectiveness of an organisation and the wellbeing of its people. In the best employers' organisations, maintaining the health of the 'Psychological contract' may be second nature to them. Here's more on the psychological contract from the CIPD.

More info? Visit our Signup page ...

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