Good News in time for Christmas!

I’m sorry it has been a while since the last update but things have been moving slowly forward. UNISON has managed to put a stay of execution on any immediate changes to UHPAS. The University has conceded that they will have to take part in further discussion with the Board of Trustees and with the Trade Unions. They have agreed to form a working group with the Trade Unions to look properly at all the options including the option of retaining the Direct Benefit scheme. What does this mean? The battle is not over yet. We will need to continue to fight to maintain a worthwhile and fair pension scheme for staff at the University. It is likely we will have to call on your support again in the future. But there is to be no imminent decision about the pension scheme which will remain is it in the interim. And the University is now negotiating with the trade unions as it should have done from the outset and the options have been opened up again. UNISON University of Hull branch and the Regional HE team would like to say thank you! All of your signatures and especially those of you who wrote comments about what the changes to the pension scheme would do to your quality of life were a hugely important part of getting the University to back down from just pushing through this scheme. Your words and action had an effect on both the University and the Board of Trustees. Thanks to you the University has to negotiate with the unions and we can continue to work to get you the pension scheme that you deserve. Happy Christmas and here’s to a strong, campaigning New Year at the University. Best Wishes, Eleanor Bullen, UNISON Local Organiser