Higher education service group

UNISON is the largest UK trade union for support staff in higher education.

Our 50,000 members include registrars, librarians, personnel, technicians, administrators, clerks, secretaries, cleaners, craftworkers, catering staff, porters and people working in IT, finance and estates management.  We work to improve pay, terms and conditions at national, regional and local level.  UNISON is campaigning for:

• Equal pay for work of equal value
• Better pay and conditions
• An end to low pay
• Fair and equal treatment for part-time, term-time and temporary staff
• Access to training and career opportunities for all staff
• An end to discrimination in higher education

 → NEW - Higher Education Pay Offer - UNISON Reponse - Click Here

 → LATEST - Higher Education Newsletter - August 2011 - to view click HERE

If you would like to get involved, or learn more, contact your branch.  There are lots of ways you can help while also building on your own learning and skills through the union.  If you become a representative, we will offer you training much of which helps you to gain learning credits.

HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH WEST REGION

The South West Region Higher Education Committee provides an opportunity for representatives of UNISON members working in universities to:

•  Meet to discuss issues of common concerns
•  Contribute to negotiation of national pay and conditions
•  Coordinate participation in local regional and national campaigns
•  Participate in UNISON regional democratic structures

The Regional Higher Education Committee meets the Regional FE Forum once a year to discuss issues of common concern.

There is an annual Higher Education Branch Seminar in the Autumn and stewards representing members in Higher Education should contact their branches to request nomination to the seminar.  This is a great opportunity to meet stewards from other universities around the country, participate in presentations and discussions about the main issues facing working in Higher Education and take part in workshops.  Places are on a first come, first served basis and branches are expected to contribute towards the cost.

There is a National Higher Education Conference every year.

Current campaigns/activities/key issues. 

 HE funding cuts - Branches, members and their families are encouraged to write to their MPs about this to lobby them to vote against the proposals.

The government proposals would allow HE institutions (HEIs) to charge up-front fees of up to £9,000 per year, (current level is £3,290).

HE is charging more than £6,000 would have to undertake measures, such as offering bursaries, summer schools or outreach programmes, to encourage poorer students. Students will have to pay the whole cost of most degrees and pay off debts for up to 30 years. Our fees will be the highest of any public university system in the world.

A fact sheet and information on lobbying your MP can be downloaded from the links found on our National website 

Support the Campaign against cuts to Higher Education by joining our Facebook Group