Warwick UCU FAQs

What are my Rights as an Employee?

While most job descriptions have the phrase ‘Any other duties commensurate with the post’ or similar, you do not have to perform duties that are outside this remit that you are either unqualified for, or are something that would be expected of someone in a higher pay grade.

I’ve witnessed something [eg bullying] in the workplace. What happens if I tell someone?

Can I be forced to take redeployment or be fired and rehired on worse terms?

We are being threatened with a restructure and job losses if we do not take on additional work. Is this possible?

Which union should I join?

Here at Warwick, where are three recognised Unions who work together to ensure your rights are protected and you are treated fairly and with respect. However, each union has a nuanced role when it comes to different groups of staff as set out in the recognition agreements each union has with the University. These can be viewed at the bottom of this pageLink opens in a new window. Trade Union representatives meet with the University regularly at a Joint Consultative Committee meeting where we bring your concerns to senior management.

UNISONLink opens in a new window: UNISON represents members of staff in grades 1-5.

UniteLink opens in a new window: Unite represent manual and technical services staff in all grades.

UCU: UCU represents Professional Services staff in grades 6-9, and academic members of staff.

If you are unsure of which union to join, we recommend first looking at each union's webpages to get a feel for the slightly different campaigns. If you are still unsure, you can also email Becks Andrew R dot Andrew dot 2 at warwick dot ac dot uk for impartial advice.

Do I have to tell anyone I've joined?

No - your UCU membership is private. While many of our members choose to get more actively involved, we welcome everyone regardless of whether they want to promote the union actively or not. We know it is sometimes difficult to be a union member in some departments and roles, but the important thing for yourself is that you are a member - gaining the benefits of coming together. You can use your personal email address for communications; just set you personal email to your preferred address on myUCU and we will only contact you there.

The more people we can say are members, the more power we have to bargain with the University so whether you want to be active or just there in the background, every membership counts.

Unions in the UK

Union membership in the UK differs from other countries. Firstly, union membership is protected by law and you cannot be discriminated against because you are in a union. You are free to join any union you choose, but Warwick has three recognised Unions: UNISON, Unite and University and College Union (UCU). Please see this webpage for details about who we support.

Unlike other countries, you are not automatically enrolled in a union when you join a workplace. You need to join the union of your choosing separately and pay a small amount every month towards the union to help us campaign on matters that affect the industry and our work at Warwick. This cost varies depending on how much you earn and starts at just 99p a month.

If you have any questions, please email chair at warwickucu dot org dot uk

Who is my department contact?

Your Department Contact is someone approved by members who works in your department and acts as a first point-of-contact between UCU members and the Committee. They forward issues raised to Committee or point people in the direction of what they may need. They pass on communications that are specific to departments or groups of departments and encourage a sense of community and engagement within their departments. A full list of Department Contacts can be found hereLink opens in a new window. If you're department does not have a contact, please email membership at warwickucu dot org dot uk and our Department Contacts Secretary will be happy to help. The role, for anyone interested, takes very little time and full support is provided.

• Notes: usually statements of fact that relate to the context. For example: ‘Universities maintain research links with arms manufacturers’
• Believes: the beliefs or principles that motivate the action being proposed to justify why the proposed action will address a problem, and why the branch should support it. For example: ‘University partnerships with arms companies violate their stated ethical commitments’.
• Resolves: the action you want the branch to take. This should be clear and achievable. For example: ‘Campaign for institutional transparency and termination of partnerships contravening ethical standards and international law’.