Unite the Union – Sheffield University Branch Meeting

14/12/23

1pm – 2pm

Arts Tower 410 and online via Google Meets

 

Present:

Martin Bentley - Chair

Claire Healey - Secretary

Garry Turner - Treasurer

20 members online

 

Recap of last meeting earlier in the year – branch officers elected

No minutes were taken at the last meeting so discussion of minutes omitted

 

1. School Restructure

Sought comments from members

Proposal was originally being discussed by UEB (University Executive Board) this week but has been pushed pack to January 2023. This is in order to acquire more information about the proposals and then make recommendations.

 

Question from member: When they allocate the new school managers, how will they decide who will go where? Will departments have a say? Once the restructure is in place will there be duplications of roles? Are there guarantees people will not be made redundant?

 

Heads of school will be selected first, most likely through a competitive selection process. Those unsuccessful will drop back into their academic role. Personal Assistant for those heads of school will most likely be selected next.

 

We have been assured that there is no risk of redundancy as, as the restructure goes on, other roles will open up.

 

Once those dealt with, then it will be departmental managers. Around 20 -23 managers roles expected to be created. There have been 2 examples of a schools restructure at the university, Biomedical Science and the Medical School. They have slightly different structures. Medical school is one school but with three divisions each one with a head. So not 100% sure of how things will look.

 

Proposal are woolly. Unions have asked for more detailed proposals.

 

University has been unable to tell us if the restructures will happen in one, or in sections, the order of this, or if there will be a significant restructure at all in places, or if it will be most changes at the top but the bulk of staff left in place. All we have is roughly that sciences will be made into a school 2024 and other subjects after that.

 

But the heads of school will be selected first, all on one go. So there is a situation where school heads have been selected, but the school itself has not been created yet and are the heads are  “spare” until then. Or an unsuccessful candidate is doing a role that they will not keep long term. Neither situation is ideal.

 

Been given reasons why university it going this, economy of scale, making the university more resilient, and other buzzwords

 

Question from member: Worried  that 6 months ago at all staff meeting said the tuition fees were not going to be raised. Were worried about a restructure. This is not too long ago, timing for restructure is apt.

 

Hard to say if this is the case. The university released its financial report recently and the forecast is good. It is very hard to say what the reason are for the restructure as the one offered up don’t seem to justify a potential change on this magnitude.

 

The university does not tell us its real rationale. It does things it own way and don’t necessary take on what unions have to say. When the Diamond was built,  the M.E.E. department/course was created – in the new structure this is being scrapped and the modules will be tough by other schools. It has been suggested that this is a way to phase out modules when they are not wanted. Especially considering the bad press the university received over removing Archaeology as a discipline. Perhaps that is at the heart of it. The reasons behind the restructure change on the FAQ.

 

Question from Member: Will the announcement of VSS (voluntary severance scheme) at Hallam University affect matters?

 

Hard to say. Don’t know exactly when Hallan has had VSS in the past. The University of Sheffield has had multiple restructures over the past several years, most of these have had VSS as an option. Staff  at the University were offered to staff during lockdown.

 

Hallam has offered VSS to all their academic staff. They have also said they will listen to anyone who want to alter their contract, for example dropping their hours.

 

The funding model for university in general can’t go on. There have only been two suggestions for solutions. 1 the taxpayers pay more and that is  hard sell. The other is to increase tuition fees, that is also unpopular, for good reason.

 

Hallam in a difficult financial situation.

 

In the financial report/annual report, the university stressed that want to diversify overseas students to make it robust given changing world events

 

Government announce change to visa for family – will impact on our overseas students – students with families may not want to come here as can’t bring their families.

 

Government has stated it is against “less economical viable” course and want to limit student numbers on this. But, these courses often subsidize the more expensive courses. That will put strain on the university.

 

But we are not in the same position as Hallam. The university has a stronger business model.

 

In terms of union action, we cannot officially do anything about the schools restructure as it is not an official proposal, and wont be until it has been signed off by UED. In the meantime unions have done a survey of what staff think and presented it to the university (which may or not have influenced the decision to put it back) and there is an open letter you can sign asking the university to pause the restructure (links below). In the meantime, all we can so is gather evidence of how this restructure may affect people, what it will mean for their jobs, if it has happened at other universities and what affected it had. If people know anything please tell reps, of any union, Unite, UCU and Unison. Union members and non-union members can do this. While the university will probably have a restructure if they are hellbent on it, that doesn’t mean that we cannot change how it actually plays out and what it look like.

 

2. Members Issues

 

Call for members issues, none brought forward.

 

3. Christmas Charity Donations.

 

Call for charities to donate to at Christmas. The following were suggested and ratified:

 

Macmillan - £75

St. Luke’s- £75

Yorkshire Ambulance Charity - £75

Maltby Town Council (food hamper drive) - £75

Snowdrop - £75

Weston Park- £75

SAGE - £75

Children’s Hospital - £75

 

4. New reps

New reps are need, some reps will be retiring nest year, if anyone would like to be get involved please get in touch

 

5. Any other business

Rotherham TUC is hosting an event about the miners Strikes on 3^rd Match 2025 (information below and flyer attached in email)

 

Unite is running the Unite for Steel campaign if anyone would like to get involved. Important to have a strong steel manufacturing base in the UK and to maintain control of this. (Links below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links

 

Open letter asking University to delay restructure proposals:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Ki_9VXndv2hbn0zG3aINNBeJlIExr8pdbSpPAqh46E/edit?usp=sharing

 

Google form to sign open letter:

https://forms.gle/HeteEVjxjQGa7WSt8

 

 

Miners Strike event at Rotherham:

 

Taken from Unite email :

“Miners Strike 40 years on: Rotherham trades council event Sunday 3 March 2024, 3pm, Brooklyn Suite, New York Stadium, Rotherham

 

Please see attached information re the above event being organised by Rotherham TUC and supported by Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and Sheffield and Barnsley TUCs.”

 

Flyer attached

 

 

Unite for Steel:

https://www.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/the-fight-for-steel

 

https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2023/november/tata-steel-unite-fights-for-uk-steel-future