7 August 2023

Contents

1. Anti-cas UCU/HR Working-group update
2. PGTA / TF coordinators: We need you!!
3. PGTA reps: A date for your diaries
4. Precarious researchers: News for you
5. Administrative & support staff: Know your contracts
6. Teaching and Research Fellow Network

• Anti-cas UCU/HR Working-group update

We have been meeting with HR to discuss issues of casualisation at UoB. Below is a table of some of what has been discussed so far:

Proposals	Status	Notes
i. All PGTAs to be put on fractional contracts as standard, starting this coming academic year	in progress	Definitely a win that has been a long time coming! However… Some casual worker agreements have already been issued, and without sem 2 timetable how can workloads be estimated? We are hopeful this proposal will still go through, but need to keep pushing and reporting back to HR any discrepancies (see below sections for how you can feed into this issue)
ii. Three months bridging funding for researchers in a fixed-term situation	under review	This needs to go through an approval process, but, again, seems hopeful the timeline is this academic year. A win! Given three months as standard only covers a fraction of funding timelines, how flexible are UoB willing to be in certain cases? (see below for how you can feed into this issue)
iii. A phased move toward all researchers being put on open-ended contracts	Not started	This is a move in the right direction, but as yet without any indication of timeline or practicalities.
iv. Standardised promotional route from teaching & research fellow to permanent member of staff	Our proposals	While the two roles have different requirements, there is no reason why there shouldn’t be clear paths through to permanent/ open-ended positions. We know TFs get quietly turned into lecturers and that RFs have their contracts renewed as the funding materialises, why not standardise the process?  HR acknowledged this could be a conversation to tackle as we move forward…(see below for how to feed into this issue)

• PGTA / Teaching Fellow coordinators: We need you!!

HR Have stated they want to issue fixed-term fractional contracts as standard for PGTAs for this coming academic year. Now the timetable for semester 1 has been released, are you able to estimate a fractional workload across the PGTAs and Teaching Fellows you are responsible for?

We have developed a mapping document to help gather information as the situation with PGTA fractional contracts rapidly develops. Please take a few minutes to fill out this table with the situation in your department: PGTA Coordinator Questions

• PGTA reps: A date for your diary & call for reps

We will be holding two PGTA forum: Thursday 7th September 10-11am via Zoom, 12-13pm on campus

We are seeking reps to help build our PGTA network. The UCU PGRs as Staff campaign is alive and kicking but we need to figure out how we at BUCU will push through the changes and benefits that are just on the horizon. Contact Betsy at anti-casualisationofficer@birminghamucu.org, using the subject line: PGTA forum/reps to get involved.

• Precarious researchers: News for you

So we have something to celebrate: HR are agreeing to formalise a three-month bridging fund for researchers whose funding is ending. The working of the agreement needs some input. If you are keen to feed into this issue (provide feedback on written documents, connect with non-unionised colleagues in a similar situation, attend meetings with HR to discuss feedback/proposals) please contact Betsy at: anti-casualisationofficer@birminghamUCU.org using the subject line: Precarious Researchers.

• PGTA staff: Know your contracts

Did you know, you should be on a fractional contact AS STANDARD? If you are encountering any issues then please get in touch with Betsy: anti-casualisationofficer@birminghamUCU.org Subject line: PGTAs contract issue

• Teaching and Research Fellow Network

Why is there no promotional route to a permanent contract for teaching fellows and research fellows? How many of you keep getting little tit-bits of contracts? Is your fractional contract equivalent to a full-time role or are you being dangerously overworked? How to carve out research time as a TF or teaching experience as a RF? What route to follow if you want to do a little of both? This academic year join the Teaching & Research Fellow Network for discussion, solidarity, organising, and …. FUN! Contact Betsy: anti-casualisationofficer@birminghamUCU.org for more info. Subject line: TF & RF network.