UCU Branch Update

UCU Ballot to Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College: UCU branch held a branch meeting yesterday to discuss the next steps in our campaign to stop the sackings at Chesterfield College. ·         Public Rally in Sheffield –   A UCU branch officer will address a protest rally tomorrow evening regarding our campaign to stop the sackings at Chesterfield College. This event is organised by Sheffield NUT in support of the regional NUT/NASUWT strike in the North-West. This is the first step in a national campaign of industrial action. The rally will be at the DFE offices which are situated on the Peace Gardens close by the Town Hall ·         Meeting with Toby Perkins – MP Chesterfield Venue – Chesterfield Labour Club   Date – Friday 28th June 2013:  Time – 5.45 p.m. Toby Perkins, as some of you may be aware, visited the college on Friday for the ‘Private View’ exhibition in Art & Design.  He was interested to know the impact of these proposed cuts from the individuals themselves at risk and the impact that this would have on the young people in his constituency. It is vital that all members take this opportunity to attend this meeting to get support from our elected member of parliament. ·         Letters to the Board Of Corporation  - I am asking that all UCU Members at risk of being sacked or in a redundancy pool , write a letter to one of the Board of the Corporation. I would suggest that you outline the personal effect that these cuts will have on you and your family. We intend to hold a rally outside the main entrance on Monday at 1.00 P.M where we will present these letters to Trevor Clay to pass onto the Corporation. We will also release a balloon for every UCU member facing the sack at Chesterfield College.  I am aware that for many of you this week is a very difficult time   , as you will receive notifications of redundancy or a change to your role. As was discussed at the Branch Meeting this is just the beginning of the process and I urge you not to be too despondent. Should you wish to contact a branch officer for advice:  Please contact – James Eaden, Allister Mactaggart, Paula Alsop, and Sam Parker. UCU will continue to negotiate with college management at CIG. And we continue to urge our principal Trevor Clay and the Board of Corporation at Chesterfield College to rethink this damaging strategy.