1. Bristol UCU Survey – Living and working at UoB with chronic condition and/or disabilities – closing next Friday (September 19th)
This survey [link] seeks to explore the perspectives and experiences of staff and PGRs at UoB (Union and non-Union members). Please note that this survey is completely anonymous, and we do not ask any questions that would make you identifiable. The anonymised data will be shared with other branch officers, with colleagues from across the University and senior managers.
If you have any questions, please contact emilie.poletto@bristol.ac.uk.
2. Could you become one of our caseworkers?
- Casework is a key activity for our branch and we are looking for new colleagues to support in this rewarding endeavour. UCU provides training and you can find more below. You will also be supported by our casework coordinator extraordinaire Stephen D’Evelyn and his partner in crime, Emilie Poletto-Lawson. There is also an optional meeting every two months to support each other and exchange best practice. Before flying solo, there is the opportunity to shadow experienced caseworkers. Once you have built up your confidence and feel ready to take on a case, you would not be expected to have more than one case at any one time and it will be based on your availability. If this of interest and/or if you have any question please email ucu-cw@bristol.ac.uk.Here are the details of the UCU training provided, please ensure you have your line manager’s approval before signing up:Representing individual members: an introduction to casework 10 December 2025 or 16th June 2026South West, both course are onlineCourse content:
- UCU legal support scheme
- the role of the rep
- effective communication with members seeking advice and representation
- sources of support and information for members seeking representation
- the importance of using individual cases for collective organisation and describe the circumstances and ways in which this can be done
- how to develop a collaborative approach with the member and manage their expectations
- confidentiality and conflicts of interest
- your own rights and take care of your own well being when handling personal cases
- how your institution/employers policies and procedures relate to individual representation
- systems for dealing with individual casework in your branch
- online communication with members and issues raised by the Covid-19 pandemic
Please register via this link to secure your place for the 10th December 2025 course: UCU – Representing individual members: an introduction to casework: 10 December, 2025, South West, …
Please register via this link to secure your place for the 16th June 2026 course: UCU – Representing individual members: An introduction to casework – 16, June, 2026, South West Reg…
3. Industrial Action Ballot
You will have seen from communications from UCU centrally that we will be balloting members for industrial action in October over the pay offer. All five trade unions that represent workers across campuses in the UK will ballot members roughly around the same time. Whilst UNISON will run a disaggregated ballot, UCU’s will be aggregated. This means that regardless of the turnout at Bristol, we will rely on 50% of the national membership returning their ballots in order to be able to take industrial action over pay. There will be an opportunity to discuss the ballot and associated campaign at the general meeting on 15 October.
4. Branch Secretary
We currently have a vacancy for the Branch Secretary position. If you’re interested in this role, please get in touch with ucu-office@bristol.ac.uk.