This Branch Notes:
That UCU's boycott of marking all formal assessment started on 6th November 2014.
That members have been requested to 'observe the assessment boycott voted for in such
overwhelming number by UCU members.'
That the University of Bristol, in common with the approach of other Universities, has threatened to:
'withhold 100% of pay, at a daily rate of 1/260 of annual salary, and we reserve the right to
do so. However, in the interest of trying to minimise the impact on our students, we have
determined that, in the first instance, we will withhold less than 100%. We will instead
withhold 25% of pay at a daily rate of 1/260 of annual salary from the date on which the
individual begins to take part in the industrial action short of a strike.’
That the University of Bristol has demanded that
‘if you intend to participate in the industrial action please notify HR by emailing [email protected] making clear:
 Your name and School
 That you are confirming that you will be/are taking part in industrial action short of
a strike
 From what date your participation in the action will start, which should be the first
date from which you boycott assessment duties
 The forms of action you will be involved in.’
That UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt has made it clear that:
‘members faced with the threat of such punitive deductions will of course be able to access
support from the UCU strike fund, but I also wanted to promise you that the worst
institutional culprits will be subjected to every form of pressure available to the union up to
and including national strike action and a global academic boycott if they fail to see sense.’
This this branch has confirmed with Guy Gregory that 25% pay deductions will only be taken from the
date when boycotting actually commences not the date of notification to HR.
That this branch has confirmed that members suffering 25% pay deductions will be able to claim from
the UCU strike fund.
This Branch Believes:
That the University's punitive deduction policy is unfair and disproportionate.
That in order to ensure the effectiveness of Bristol UCU's marking boycott, we need to maximise the
impact of the boycott, also ensuring that individual UCU members are not isolated or exposed within
their Schools and Departments if they carry out the mandated action.
That, at the Dispute Launch Meeting, 6th November, members expressed the need for a local Bristol
UCU policy with regard to the effective carrying out of the marking boycott action.
This Branch Resolves
1.
That members with assessment duties inform Human Resources immediately that they
are participating in the marking boycott action by sending a version of the following text:
My name is <name> and I work in <school/div>.
I intend to support the UCU assessment and marking boycott but will not be doing so until x
date when I have scheduled work to do which is included in the boycott. I will not be
engaged in marking every day after that date. Please note that I would have expected all the
work I can currently anticipate and which is covered by the boycott to have been completed
by x date.
2. That members without assessment duties inform Human Resources henceforth that they
support the boycott are taking action short of strike by sending a version of the following text:
My name is <name> and I work in <school/div>.
I am writing to inform you that I support the UCU assessment and marking boycott and will
be participating in action short of a strike with immediate effect.
Bristol UCU Pensions Working Group (Steve Condliffe, , Tracey Hooper, Jamie Melrose
and Ricky Tutin)
11 November 2014