Group Secretary: Maureen Guild, School of Contemporary Sciences, 
          Tel 01382 308000 Ext 2900 Email M.Guild@abertay.ac.uk

          Group Chair - Colin Rae C.Rae@abertay.ac.uk

          Committee: 
          Evelyn McPhee E.Mcphee@abertay.ac.uk
          Ken Rusk K.Rusk@abertay.ac.uk

         Current Issues:

           University and HE issues

          
           There was a public meeting held on Friday 04 Nov 2011 “to encourage a constructive dialogue on the future of 
           post-16 education in Tayside”. This event was well attended, with Tommy Campbell representing Unite on the panel.

           Subsequently, Mark Batho (Scottish Funding Council) met with Nicholas Terry (Acting Principal of Abertay Uni), Pete      
           Downes (Principal of Dundee Uni) and Christina Potter (Principal of Dundee College, and a joint statement was made 
           which affirmed the independence of all three institutions, while encouraging closer collaboration (attached).

           While visiting Abertay, Mark Batho also met with the Abertay Unite and UCU reps where he confirmed “the merger is 
           now off the table”.

          
           Mike Robinson had a very positive meeting with Nicholas Terry on Tuesday 29 Nov, where Mike offered Unite’s support 
           to Abertay remaining an independent institution, while highlighting that any shared services were not an option for Unite.

           Support Staff Liaison Group(SSLG)

          
            (All reps)

           This is the main forum for raising support staff issues with Management. Last meeting was 09/11/11.

           Current agenda items include:

          Court update – recruitment for a new Principal has commenced.

          A review of TOIL being carried out by HR – we have received a ‘first draft’ of the new policy, and are awaiting a meeting 
          to discuss this.

         

         Working in Partnership – HR proposed a date in December, but this was during exam week! HR to identify another 
         suitable  date.

         Pay negotiations – currently being negotiated through Jnches. We have been informed that UCU have accepted the offer.   
         Unite balloted our members on pay with the aim of striking on 30 Nov 2011. However this action was rejected 52% - 48%.
         Note – There was a major problem with the ballot papers. Most of our members only received their paper on the Friday, 
         with the return date being the Monday, and some didn’t receive them until after the return date.

         Pathways – Scoring of ‘Behaviours’ section suspended for 2011/12. We have requested additional training be given to
         Line Managers. HR has taken ownership of this project.

          A ‘recognition lunch’ was held for members of staff who had attained high scores in the previous year.

 

          Equal Pay Audit – a joint Unite / UCU meeting was held with HR to discuss identified issues. HR to propose possible
          options for resolving these issues.

 

          Health and safety update – the stress questionnaire has now been issued, with ACAS to analyse the results.

 

          Policy update – HR are working on numerous policies. The new Discipline policy includes the facility for a Verbal
          Warning, with a ‘live time’ of 9 months; we proposed 6 months.

          The Social Networking policy has been re-written and much improved.

 

           Election of Staff Representatives to be held. PT staff will now be permitted to vote.

         

          Committees

          Unite Reps also sit on the following University committees:

          Equality & Diversity Committee (Maureen Guild, Colin Rae)

          Last meeting: 14/10/11; next meeting 20/01/12

          The university ran a survey to identify staff with disabilities.

          Organisational Development Committee (Ken Rusk, Colin Rae)

          Last meeting: 26/10/11; next meeting 14/12/11

          No items to highlight.

          Health & Safety Committee (Evelyn McPhee, Colin Rae)

          Last meeting: 08/11/11; next meeting 08/11/11

          No items to highlight.

          Mental Health & Wellbeing Working Group (Ken Rusk)

          A survey on Stress in the Workplace was sent to all staff on 21 Nov 2011.

          Regional Industrial Sector Committee

         There is a RISC meeting on Wed 14/12/11.

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