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Attending the @ucu_solidarity conference this morning. Discussing need for collective responses in branches to the health crisis. Margot Hill summarising it: "we can't casework our way out of his crisis".
Some troubling infi about @EastDurhamCol where apparently staff are 100% on campus to teach online. 
Solidarity with workers on that campus.
Solidarity with workers on that campus.
Carlo Morelli shares that Scottish govt guidance has been finally published but again they are guidance not instructions. Many unis using covid as cover for restructuring.
Leeds Met update: balloting on covid safety and workload. Ballot closes during the week and reporting anger at the management of the situation. Need for national coordination.
Workshops start at 11am. Full list here with zoom links here: https://www.ucusolidaritymovement.org/conferences
I'm attending the "Using the law effectively" session so will tweet highlights from that.
In every tweet, a typo, I solemnly declare
Several unis reporting libraries are open on most campuses for study space rather than borrowing, and campuses are busier than last lockdown. Obviously staff are then forced to travel in on public transport. Important discussion needed on ventilation.
Updated @scotgov advice for unis published last night: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-universities-colleges-and-student-accommodation-providers/pages/temporary-lockdown-guidance/
Libraries guidance:
Large numbers of Liverpool members submitted Section 44 notices to defend their safety at work.
Emphasising the employer's responsibility to keep workers and students safe. Would employers be legally responsible (corporate manslaughter or negligent manslaughter) if people died?
Legal advice from Leigh Day plus individual use of section 44 might be useful and necessary to protect workers, e.g. libraries.
Pointing out that risk assessments must be particular to every situation and activity. Not generic.
Covid-19 is a biological agent as classified by HSE. Needs to be handled by RIDDOR.
Causation: employers can push back saying that ppl can't prove they caught at work. However if material risk at work exists when ppl are not using other congregate settings because "stay at home" then it could be argued that it's likely to have contracted there.
Transport to work can be and has been considered an extension of workplace.
Explanation of Health and safety act 1974 2(2)(a) / Section 44 .
Every union has the right to advise its members of their legal rights and defend its members from detriment.
Every union has the right to advise its members of their legal rights and defend its members from detriment.
Poor management decisions is reflection of the democratic deficit and bad governance in universities. We need to improve our institutions' democracy.
Kings college London UCU are now taking a zero tolerance on detriment to members but not pursuing industrial action.
General questions about UCU legal advice. Motion drafted for branches to consider: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U6qde1hlrZXAqKNECZ7hKcjcUIv5wmew2Q-AzChuIpI/edit?usp=drivesdk
Back to closing plenary. Vicky Blake pointing out how marketisation of education underpinning the bad choices we've seen made in higher and further education.
Larissa Kennedy, President of NUS. Where do we go from here? We are striving for the abolition of the university as we know it. We need to also have cross-cutting solidarity, particularly for BAME staff and students who are more likely to be exposed to risk and precarity.
Need to fight back against divide-and-rule tactics used by employers to divide staff from students, campus students from private rental sector students from home students.
Mark Abel from Brighton. 5 more strike days against redundancies. We need practical solidarity. We need national training and meetings of our union. We need no return to campus until it's safe.
Helen O'Connor, GMB Union. Represents both NHS staff and some teaching staff. NHS staff are saying that covid 19 is rife. Staff are falling sick. Admin staff who could work from home aren't being made come in. PPE is not up to standard because ppl are falling sick.
50% of students are in school so education isn't happening because staff are sick or isolating as are children and parents.
"We're in a mockdown not a lockdown."
"We're in a mockdown not a lockdown."
Covid 19 is highlighting and exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. Trade unions represent hope for workers. NHS workers, teachers, and gas workers are fighting back but we need to support them.
Hannah from "9k for what?": student fees abolition is the endgoal.
Saira Wiener: calls for national meeting. Highlights crushing workloads and the importance of countering pressure to work and overwork during a period of extreme crisis.
Jess Adams from SaveUEL: targeted compulsory redundancies with clear trade union victimisation of trade union activists in branch.
Molly Andrews from SaveUEL: UEL going to ballot on workload and compulsory redundancies. The rationale given was financial but then when student numbers went up the argument became a competency-based one.
Jess from People Before Profit: next weekend a meeting of activists across sectors and building solidarity across campaigns and oppressions, especially climate crisis.
Missed the name of the activist but asks for signatories to open letter for publication in Guardian: "Open letter: Working parentsâ âcry for helpâ should be unionsâ call to arms" https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2u_OrVH4h8jnAkRops6Vk82N2AnmN9brUH0CitzacKVFWyw/viewform
I've run out of tweeting steam.
I think a key take away for me, on a practical level, is making sure members have information about their rights. I will try to follow-up with branches that are using that to good effect.
