Loughborough UCU

Tag: General Meeting

  • January General Meeting Report

    Our January General Meeting brought members together both in person and online, with a quorate turnout reflecting strong ongoing engagement with the branch’s work. The meeting offered a detailed overview of recent activity, current negotiations, and the wide range of issues the branch is actively working on to support members.

    A significant part of the meeting focused on branch activity since the last General Meeting. Members heard about the breadth of work currently underway, with around 40 live issues on the branch’s active “to do” list. This includes ongoing negotiation and consultation work, such as further workshops with senior management to clarify and strengthen negotiation principles. The branch is also responding to the piloting of AI systems in teaching that took place without union consultation, calling additional negotiation meetings and working to ensure union oversight and member representation in this rapidly developing area.

    Workload continues to be a major concern, particularly ongoing attempts to deliver “more with less” in revised workload models. Alongside this, the branch remains engaged with restructures affecting a number of colleagues, including changes within Academic Language Support. Casework remains substantial, with around 30 cases currently open, many involving formal disciplinary or capability processes. The branch is also supporting members through redeployment and redundancy processes, and has escalated concerns where serious shortcomings in HR information or advice have affected colleagues.

    The meeting also covered a revised Appeals Policy and Ordinance, affecting appeals in disciplinary, capability, and dismissal cases. These changes were prompted by new academic line management arrangements and followed negotiation aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and fairness. The revised documents better align procedures, clarify wording, and take account of union caseworker availability. Members voted by a strong majority to approve the revised policy.

    Updates on campaigns highlighted the branch’s wider organising and engagement work. These included sharing a new social media video project explaining why colleagues are in the union and upcoming CPD opportunities such as a session on embedding climate education in the curriculum, which is open to non-members as well. The branch is also continuing efforts to recruit and support PhD students, many of whom are eligible for free or very low-cost membership, and has contributed to sector-level consultations on pay and conditions.

    Practical issues affecting members’ everyday working lives were also discussed, including car parking following recent closures to enable new building work. Members shared reflections on the impact of reduced parking availability and the challenges posed by temporary car parks.

    The meeting concluded with an open floor, giving members the opportunity to raise questions, share experiences, and suggest issues for the branch to take forward. Members were encouraged to stay involved, get in touch with questions or ideas, and help shape the branch’s ongoing work.

  • Upcoming General Meetings & AGM (2025–26)

    Please save the dates for our upcoming General Meetings and Annual General Meeting (AGM). All meetings will run from 1–2pm, with locations and further details to be announced closer to the time:

    • General Meetings:
      • Wednesday, 26 November 2025
      • Wednesday, 28 January 2026
      • Wednesday, 18 March 2026
      • Wednesday, 13 May 2026
    • Annual General Meeting (AGM):
      • Wednesday, 1 July 2026

    These meetings are vital opportunities to shape the direction of our branch and to stay engaged with the work of your union. We hope you’ll make a note of the dates and join us when you can.

  • LUCU Annual General Meeting

    LUCU Annual General Meeting

    Members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Loughborough University branch of UCU.

    The meeting will take place in B007 – Brockington and online.

    Check your emails or see this article for more information https://ucu.lboro.ac.uk/come-to-the-lucu-agm-and-branch-social/

  • LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting (GM) for all members.

    This will take place in SMB017 – this is on the ground floor of Stewart Mason and online via MS Teams.

    Further details including the location of and an agenda for this General Meeting will be provided to all members, by email, two weeks before this meeting.

    We hope to see you there.

  • LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting (GM) for all members.

    Further details including the location of and an agenda for this General Meeting will be provided to all members, by email, before this meeting.

    We hope to see you there.

  • LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting (GM) for all members will be held on MS Teams.

    Further details and an agenda for this General Meeting have been provided to all members, by email. Get in touch with the branch if you have not received this.

    We hope to see you there.

  • LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting

    LUCU General Meeting (GM) for all members.

    This will take place in EHB002 and online via MS Teams.

    Motions are requested before the deadline of midday on 19th November. Further details of the General Meeting have been provided to all members, by email, two weeks before the meeting. An agenda will be provided one week before the meeting.

    We hope to see you there.

  • LUCU General Meeting – Pay and Conditions Consultative Ballot

    LUCU General Meeting – Pay and Conditions Consultative Ballot

    We will be holding an online General Meeting to discuss the Pay and Conditions Consultative Ballot on Wednesday the 13th of August at 1pm. This will help the branch committee to understand the feeling in the branch, as well as giving us all an opportunity to discuss, and ask questions about, the situation and its implications.

    Please use the link emailed to members on 25th July to join the meeting at 1pm on the 13th August.

  • Pay and Conditions Consultative Strike Ballot

    Please use your vote

    Members will have seen recent communications from UCU about the results of this year’s pay negotiations and the subsequent consultative ballot on our attitude towards possible strike action. 

    The outcome of this indicative ballot will steer UCU strategy on whether to issue a formal strike ballot, so it is crucial that the results reflect the preferences of the membership as a whole. 

    Please take 1 minute to indicate your position using the link in the email titled “IMPORTANT: UCU higher education pay and working conditions consultative ballot”, which arrived on Monday the 21st. The ballot closes on the 15th of August.

    Branch Meeting

    We will be holding an online General Meeting to discuss the issue on Wednesday the 13th of August at 1pm. This will help the branch committee to understand the feeling in the branch, as well as giving us all an opportunity to discuss, and ask questions about, the situation and its implications.

    Please use the link emailed to members on 25th July to join the meeting at 1pm on the 13th August.

  • LUCU AGM 2025 and Your New Committee

    Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting on 2nd July—whether in person or online. Your participation, questions, and observations help shape the work we do as a branch.

    Summary of Officer Reports

    The meeting opened with reports from our Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. These highlighted:

    • Concerns raised by members over the lack of meaningful recognition in the workplace of the existential challenges facing the sector and society. This was contrasted with the openness of discussions during the pandemic.
    • A summary of the branch’s work over the past year, including several examples of successful outcomes achieved through committee efforts.
    • A heartfelt thank you to Andrew Dix and Marie Hanlon, who will be stepping down from the committee in August. We are very grateful for their longstanding contributions and service to the branch.

    The 2023/24 accounts were presented and showed a deficit. However, thanks to a modest local subscription increase introduced last year, we anticipate there will be no deficit in the current financial year. Therefore, there will be no further increase in local subscriptions for this coming year.

    Policy Discussion

    A proposed change to the University’s Staff Conditions of Service – Probation Policy was shared. After discussion, the meeting agreed that the wording was unclear. As a result, no vote was taken. We will seek further clarification from the University before reconsidering.

    Constitutional Amendment

    A motion to make minor changes to the branch constitution was passed unanimously.

    Your 2025–26 LUCU Committee

    The Returning Officer reported that the following members were elected unopposed. Their term begins on 1st August 2025, for a duration of one year:

    • Chair: David Wilson
    • Branch Secretary: Anthony Kevins
    • Treasurer: Marco Pino
    • Personal Case Work Co-ordinator: Eleanor Roberts
    • Health, Safety & Environment Officer: Alec Edworthy
    • Equality Officer: Angela Dy
    • Green Rep: Marianna Coulentianos
    • Ordinary Committee Members: Scott Fernie & David Saal

    Several officer roles remain unfilled. If you’re interested in joining the committee or want to learn more, please contact a committee member or the Branch Organiser.

    Get Involved: Workload Reps Needed

    We’re also looking for members to volunteer as Workload Reps in their areas. These roles are vital in supporting colleagues and raising concerns around workloads. To learn more, click here, or contact the Branch Organiser.

    Final Wrap Up

    The meeting was then closed, and most members present stayed for the branch social where they enjoyed both cake and conversations with fellow members.

  • LUCU Annual General Meeting & Branch Social

    A reminder that all LUCU members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of Loughborough University branch of UCU.

    Please note the location of the AGM & branch social has moved to the Edward Herbert Building, EHB 002.

    The AGM will be held on Wednesday 2nd July at 12:30pm, this will be a hybrid meeting, in person in the Edward Herbert Building in room EHB 002 and online via Microsoft Teams. We encourage in person attendance where possible.

    The AGM will be followed by a Branch Social, an opportunity to meet some of your fellow UCU members from across the university. This will take place immediately after the AGM until 4pm in the same room as the AGM (EHB 002). The branch will be providing light refreshments and snacks. We hope to see you there.

    The agenda for the AGM, including a motion, and text of a proposed change to Staff Conditions of Service (to be voted on by members at the AGM) has been emailed to all members on the 18th June. If you have any amendments to the motion, please provide these in writing by replying to the email from 18th June by no later than 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 25th June. Minutes of the previous AGM and quorate GMs for approval at this meeting, were also attached to the email, along with a calendar appointment and the link to join online. If you are a member of UCU based at Lboro and have not received the AGM Agenda email, please contact the branch by emailing ucu@lboro.ac.uk

    We hope to see you at the meeting and the branch social.

  • Notice of Annual General Meeting

    Members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Loughborough University branch of UCU.

    The Meeting

    We plan for your AGM to be held in a hybrid format, both in person and online (via Microsoft Teams) on Wednesday 2nd July at 12:30pm. More information on this, including a link to join and an agenda, will be provided two weeks in advance of the meeting.

    Motions

    At this point we would like to request motions for the AGM. Please submit any motions to ucu@lboro.ac.uk by the deadline of 11th June at Midday. If you have an idea for a motion but need some help forming it as a motion, please get in touch and we can support you. 

    Nominations for Branch Officers and Committee Members

    Nominations for branch officers and committee members are now open. All nominations must be received by the deadline of 4th June at Midday. Ballots will then be sent out to all members for any contested positions in mid June. At the AGM we will announce the results of any contested nominations and a full list of officers and committee members for the next academic year. These officers and committee members will take up their new roles on 1st August.

    If you are interested in any of these roles, but would like to discuss them first, please do get in touch. We encourage any member that wishes to get more involved to do so.

    The nomination process this year will be via email. If you wish to be nominated, please send an email to ucu@lboro.ac.uk with the subject “AGM Nomination”. In the email, please state your name, membership number and the role(s) you wish to be nominated for. Please cc this email to the people who have agreed to propose and second your nomination. Your proposer and seconder will then need to forward that email along with their name, membership number and confirmation they are proposing or seconding your nomination to ucu@lboro.ac.uk. All 3 emails will need to be received by ucu@lboro.ac.uk by the 4th June midday deadline.

    Nominations are requested for: Chair, Vice Chair, Branch Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Personal Casework Co-ordinator, Anti-Casualisation Officer, Equality Officer and Health, Safety & Environmental Officer.

    In addition to the above core positions, and if we have interest from members in filling these roles, we can also elect: Union Learning Rep (ULR), Recruitment Officer, Green Rep and Pension Rep. For more information on any of these roles please look at this section of the UCU website.

    There are also 11 positions on the branch committee for members who don’t wish to be an officer. Please indicate “Ordinary Member” on the nomination email if nominating for these non-officer roles. These positions are great for people new to being active in a Trade Union and who want to be more involved but may not yet have the confidence or experience to take on an officer role. These are also a great way for our departmental reps to be more involved in the wider branch should they wish to join the committee without taking on an officer role.

    Please remember you can be nominated for more than one officer role and/or to be an ordinary member of the committee. If positions are contested, they will be elected in the order listed (above) in this email. Where a member is unsuccessful for one position, they would then be eligible for their next nomination. Members can only be elected to one role. If successful they withdraw their nomination(s) for the other position(s).

    We also welcome self-nominations (no proposers/seconders required) for additional Equality Rep roles which will support the Equality Officer and each look after an area of Equality work i.e. BAME or LGBTQ for examples. These are not committee positions but if you are interested in one of these roles and being on the committee you could also be nominated to one of the 11 “Ordinary Committee Member” roles.

    As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via ucu@lboro.ac.uk