Nottingham Trent University
Recognition Agreement - Dispute.
Disputed Resolved
Please see the national web site here for an important update.
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Background
On Friday, July 4th 2008 the Nottingham Trent University management formally stated that it would be terminating the University’s Recognition Agreement with UCU.
In a letter to UCU from the Nottingham Trent Director of Human Resources the Nottingham Trent University accepts that the current agreement signed in the name of the University's Vice Chancellor provides for nine months notice of termination to be given but UCU has been informed in the same letter that the University will not be honouring this provision.
Following this and in a formal industrial action ballot UCU members at Nottingham Trent voted by 77% in favour of possible strike action.
A national rally attended by several hundred members was held on 6 October 2008 in the centre of Nottingham - (Pictures from link at the end of this page).
UCU members handed a 12,000 plus signature petition to the Board of Governors. (Pictures from link at the end of this page).
UCU members at NTU took part in a one day strike on 21st October 2008. Also on the 21st a well attended meeting was held in the Comfort Hotel; formerly the George Hotel, on George Street in Nottingham.
: As a result of this dispute and UCU's increased visibility amongst our peers, NTU UCU has gained 50 new members since September and 35 in the last month alone.
On 11th November UCU members at Nottingham Trent University leafleted guests attending a ceremony at the city's Royal Concert Hall called to commemorate the installation of Sir Michael Parkinson as the university's first chancellor.
Following the strike action taken on 21st October and other action we received confirmation that NTU management were willing to re-enter into talks with UCU and this dispute has now been resolved.
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Background.
A paper setting out the background to the dispute can be viewed here.
Further information is available on the UCU web site at: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3401
There was an online petition addressed to the Nottingham Trent Board of Governors
A letter sent to the Nottingham Trent University's Vice Chancellor from Sally Hunt, UCU General Secretary, can be viewed at:
http://www.ntuucu.org.uk/SH.pdf
National Reaction.
The local branch at Nottingham Trent received several hundred messages of support from academics, politicians and other persons. The first batch of these messages can be viewed here with another batch here.
We are aware that a number of individuals have took matters up directly with the Vice Chancellor’s Office at Nottingham Trent. An example of questions raised with the response can be viewed here.
Over 12,000 named people called upon the Nottingham Trent University Board of Governors to use their good office to see that NTU honours the Recognition Agreement it has with UCU and acts in good faith. The signatures can be viewed at.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3415
The issue was covered in the national media. e.g. Times Higher Article here.
Local Reaction.
Result of Consultative Ballot of Branch Members.
Percentage of votes in favour of:
Greylisting.
91% Yes / 9% No
For holding an industrial action ballot.
84% Yes / 16% No
Local Press article here.
Material sent to the branch here.
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