The following is cross-posted with permission from the AUT "poster" - while 
not all issues will be relevant to you, this is how the land lies in HE - 
while some librarians live in blissful ignorance of their rights (preferring 
to stay at clerical status) this soon will not be negotiable.

Perhaps CILIP should do sth about this (which of course they refuse to do, 
in a serious "we mean business" way).

So in future, you will be very chartered and very clerical (well, your mum 
will be pleased at least - look, mum, I've chartered ! I'm finally on 18k !)

.............................................................

Dear colleague,


Why a vote for industrial action is necessary

The employers’ offer means:



*         A reduction in career earnings for many lecturers, researchers and
academic related staff

*         Smaller annual increments and longer scales which will hit both
existing staff and new starters

*         Unregulated local job evaluation, leading to pay based on where
you work NOT what you do and to post downgradings for many

*         Accepting the right of any institution to set its own pay
structure and the end of a national career structure

*         The removal of academic related staff from academic pay structures

*         No catch-up payment to make up ground lost over the last two
decades



It is a massive attack on your existing pay and conditions.  To find out 
about the impact on your earnings go to 
http://www.aut.org.uk/media/docs/factsheet4_theimpactonearn.rtf
<http://www.aut.org.uk/media/docs/factsheet4_theimpactonearn.rtf> .  Pre-92 
staff can see the earnings spreadsheets at 
http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/careerearningsdata.pdf
<http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/careerearningsdata.pdf> , or for a more 
“fun” take on earnings can go to UCL AUT’s brilliant salary cutulater at 
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/unions/AUT/npf/cutulater.htm
<http://www.ucl.ac.uk/unions/AUT/npf/cutulater.htm>



To read a comprehensive summary of the employers’ proposals get a copy of 
our briefing at http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/payfuturebriefing.pdf
<http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/payfuturebriefing.pdf> .



Students support your fight to defend pay and conditions

Following discussions between AUT general secretary Sally Hunt and Mandy 
Telford of the National Union of Students (NUS), Mandy has given full 
backing on behalf of students to AUT’s fight to defend pay and conditions. 
Mandy says



“The NUS recognise that industrial action may be necessary by AUT to protect 
their members’ interests.  Further, NUS supports the AUT in their struggle 
against the employers’ attacks on academic and related staff’s pay and 
conditions. NUS urges the employers to return to the negotiating table to 
resolve AUT’s issues now in order to protect and ensure the high quality 
delivery of education for current and future students.”



You can read the full joint AUT/NUS statement at 
http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/aut_nus_jointstatement.pdf
<http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/aut_nus_jointstatement.pdf>



Is Nottingham the future for all staff?

Be warned!  Nottingham University has imposed a UCEA style pay framework on 
AUT members.  The university claims it is acting in accordance with the 
principles behind the employers’ national offer (i.e. we can do what we 
like, when we like). The new structure would mean that new lecturers would 
lose £12,135 over the first thirteen years of their careers compared to 
existing terms and conditions and has introduced performance related pay 
even beyond what the national employers want.  Nottingham AUT has called a 
strike ballot.



Employers economical with truth again

In the Times Higher this week, the employers are YET AGAIN peddling the line 
that this dispute is only about the position of academic related staff. They 
are doing this because they want to con academics into believing that their 
proposals will not affect them.  The reality is that while the academic 
related link is important both to the unity of our profession and to AUT’s 
ability to represent all members effectively, the real issue behind the 
dispute is the proposed pay structure which would lead to reductions in 
career earnings for both academic staff and academic related grades.



Even if the employers conceded ground on the position of academic related 
staff how could we accept a pay offer which reduces pay for many staff?  You 
can read about the employers’ other little attempts at deception at 
http://www.aut.org.uk/media/docs/factsheet5_tenhalftruthsfr.rtf
<http://www.aut.org.uk/media/docs/factsheet5_tenhalftruthsfr.rtf> .



Are the employers prepared to negotiate?

In December the employers finally agreed to talk to AUT about the proposed 
pay structures.  A few hours later, they changed their minds and withdrew 
the offer.  With no hope of further discussions, this forced AUT into a 
dispute we have spent six months trying to avoid.  NATFHE, who provided 
strong support to AUT at the negotiations, described the employers’ actions 
at December's meeting as follows:



“A little progress was made yesterday, but much less than could have been 
achieved had the employers not retracted the offer made to AUT regarding 
academic related staff and increments for staff on the old universities. The 
employers’ action is very disappointing and unhelpful.”



You can read the full text of our sister union NATFHE’s position at 
http://www.natfhe.org.uk/says/rels2003/2003pr93.shtml
<http://www.natfhe.org.uk/says/rels2003/2003pr93.shtml>



Help us to win

Now, with the employers digging their heals in, we have to deliver an 
overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action.  Only a strong mandate 
from members will bring them back to the negotiating table.  If you care 
about your pay and conditions, get involved in the campaign by contacting 
your local association.  Ask them for a pay poster to put on your door. 
Offer to hand out leaflets.  Tell colleagues about the stand your union is 
taking and persuade them to join and have their say.  Non-members can 
download an application form at 
http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/aut_application_0304.pdf
<http://www.aut.org.uk/media/pdf/aut_application_0304.pdf> .

_________________________________________________________________
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