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1. You are under NO obligation to tell management you are a union member – even if asked

2. You are under NO obligation to tell management in advance if you plan to strike

3. Non-members CAN TAKE STRIKE ACTION!

Report management intimidation to UCU

Next Friday 25th November at the Buchanan Galleries steps.

There are some upcoming training opportunities for members. We would welcome more members taking up the reps training

• UCU learning Rep induction: role and function, 22 November 2022, national course, Birmingham – classroom course
• Building power in the workplace: organising to win; 5 & 6 December 2022, online, South West
• Rep 1 – UCU reps induction: 13, 14 & 15 December 2022, Yorkshire & Humber (Leeds) – classroom course
• Rep 1 – UCU reps induction: 29, 30, November, & 1 December 2022, Tottenham, London region – classroom course
• Risk assessment – a safe way of working: 28 November, 5 & 12 December 2022, online, London region (open to other regions now)
• UCU learning rep induction: role and function, Tuesday 22 November, Birmingham.

You should have all received an email from Jo Grady – the strike dates for November have been announced, and notice served on GSA.

We will be calling a branch meeting as soon as possible.

GSA-UCU attended the Branch Delegates Meeting yesterday, and voted on the proposals put forward.

The results of the voting will be passed to HEC who will in turn decide on what dates action can commence, and how it will roll out.

This meeting is on Thursday, so keep an eye out for info directly from UCU in your in-boxes.

In the meantime, the results are here: https://t.co/mc28TEkRkx

Tax relief on subscriptions

UCU members are entitled to offset a proportion of subscriptions paid against tax paid (less any voluntary contribution made to the Education Support).   

Members can claim (using the link provided):

• Online: by creating a Government Gateway ID. You will need your National Insurance number and a recent payslip or P60 or valid passport.
• Post: by completing form P87.
• Telephone: by calling the HMRC.

When completing a tax form, claims should be made under the section relating to ‘professional fees and subscriptions’.  The allowable figure to be entered should be 67% of the total subscriptions paid for each year.

You have up to four years to claim for each tax year – please note that UCU’s subscription year runs from September to August each year, but the tax year from April to March.  Tables of national subscription rates for the current and previous tax years, together with tables for local subscriptions, are attached below.

You will need to combine the national and local (if applicable) subscription you have paid for the relevant tax years, then enter 67% of this amount on your form.

Important note – Tax relief applying to UCU subscriptions will be a proportion of 67% of the total annual subscription paid, according the rate at which your earnings are taxed.  The exact figure is dependent upon your tax district, tax rate and circumstances.

The union’s name appears on the list of approved bodies for tax purposes.  See elsewhere on the HM Revenue and Customs website for further information on tax relief for professional fees and subscriptions, including how to claim tax relief.

• File Type xlsxUCU local rates 2019-2020.xlsx (23.39 KB)
• File Type xlsxUCU local rates 2018-2019.xlsx (22.39 KB)
• File Type xlsxUCU local rates 2020-2021.xlsx (23.24 KB)
• File Type xlsxTime Limits Apr22.xlsx (12.70 KB)
•  File Type docUCU tax claim form Apr22.doc (71.50 KB)
• File Type xlsUCU national rates 2018-22.xls (35.50 KB)
• File Type xlsxUCU local rates 2021-2022.xlsx (17.69 KB)

GSA UCU has organised a set of teachouts in the Vic.

Follow this linktree

https://linktr.ee/GSATEACHOUT

Hi Colleagues The Picket is GO The weather looks cold but safe, make sure you do an LFT, don’t join us if you have symptoms, starting at 8:30amMonday 21st February. We will be there from 8:30 am till 1 pm. Meet outside the Reid Building, and we will send a team to Stow.   What we need you to do: Updated picket guidance in light of the new Omicron variant is attached, and further guidance is available on the UCU website. Wear a mask, Maintain a 2 m social distance, Do a Lateral Flow Test before attending the picket line. Get yours here: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should not attend and should self-isolate and book a PCR test Dress for the weather, going to feel cold, but hopefully dry Please bring your food and drink – GSASA are planning to be able to offer some hot drinks!   What we will do:Collect names and phone numbers for contact tracing purposes, Have hand sanitiser available, Inform UCU Scotland who will inform Police Scotland that we will be picketing, A risk assessment.  If you don’t feel able to participate in the picket, then strike. If you don’t feel able to strike, then take Action Short of Strike. GSAUCU Committee https://linktr.ee/gsaucu  https://www.gsa-ucu.org.uk/ twitter.com/gsaucu

Strike special:

1.    Glasgow strike rally – 12noon, Monday 14 Feb 2022

2.    UCU/NUS Rally for Education, Scottish Parliament – 12.30pm Tuesday 22 Feb 2022

3.     Cost of Living Crisis Protest | 1pm on Saturday, 12 February at George Square in Glasgow

4.    Teach Outs

5.    Picket guidance

1 – USS Strike Rally – assemble 11.45am, rally 12noon Monday 14 February 2022 Buchanan Street steps, Glasgow.

Join UCU Scotland members at the Donald Dewar statue, Buchanan Street steps on Monday 14 February in our USS strike rally.   Assemble from 11.45am, rally starts 12noon. 

2 – UCU/NUS “Rally for Education” Scottish Parliament – assemble 12.30pm, rally 1pm Tuesday 22 Feb 2022

​UCU Scotland and NUS members will rally together for education at Holyrood on Tuesday 22 February.  We have 2 key messages for “twos day” 22 February: to end student poverty, and to value staff!  Support the strikes, support the demo.

3 – Cost of Living Crisis Protest | 1pm on Saturday, 12 February at George Square in Glasgow

Mass demonstrations have been called by the Scottish People’s Assembly at locations across the U.K to show unified protest at rising costs and inflation.

Come along to the protest on Saturday and bring your placards, flags and banners. See you there! 

4 – Teach Outs

UCU Scotland Executive suggested that some teach outs could be Scotland-wide rather than done branch by branch. 

If your branch is organising teach outs, please contact the committee, with the name of the person co-ordinating them so we can identify which may be suitable for advertising on a Scotland-wide basis.

5 – Picket guidance

Picket guidance is attached, and further guidance is available on the UCU website.  UCU Scotland is asking everyone participating in the in-person strike activities to:

1. Take a lateral flow test before – free to order here
2. Wear a face covering on picket lines /at rallies
3. Keep 2 metres physical distance where possible.

Yesterday the next wave of strike action over the USS and ‘Four Fights’ disputes was confirmed as follows:

• USS dispute: 14-18 February and 21-22 February
• Four Fights dispute: 21-22 February and 28 February-2 March.

This wave of strike action will end on 02 March when we will walk out alongside students taking part in the NUS one day student strike for education. Rolling regional action is then planned for the Four Fights dispute.

With the latest student data showing increased admissions and qualifications the union is now calling on university bosses to invest in staff, improve conditions and protect pensions to avoid further disruption. We’ve tabled new proposals on the USS pension scheme and invite you to lobby your vice-chancellor to support our recommendations and tell UUK to halt their plans prior to crucial negotiations taking place in February.