Branch Update: Fri 20th Jan 2017

  1. Save Bath Community Academy (Sat 21st Jan, 12:00)
  2. #HE4Refugees
  3. Orgreave Truth & Justice (Wed 25th Jan, 19:30)
  4. Branch Meeting (Wed 1st Feb, 13:15)
  5. Mental Health – Time to Talk (Thurs 2nd Feb, 10:15)
  6. Save Bath Library – Petition

1) Save Bath Community Academy (Sat 21st Jan, 12:00)

 Parents, children and our friends in the National Union of Teachers (NUT) are calling for our support to stop the closure of Bath Community Academy. A protest is being held outside Ben Howlett MP’s office tomorrow. Location: 26 Charles Street. More info: Protestival Bath. Background: Bath Chronicle.

 2) #HE4Refugees

Bath UCU and the Students’ Union Amnesty International Society have launched a joint fundraiser to open Higher Education to refugees. The branch agreed at our AGM to match the first £500 donated by members, so please give generously. Your committee will be undertaking a number of challenges over the next few months, including the Bath Half Marathon, to raise for the fund. If you would like to do something in your department, anything from sponsored activities to cake sales, or would like other ideas of how to help, please email C.J.Roche@bath.ac.uk.

3) Orgreave Truth & Justice (Wed 25th Jan, 19:30)

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign is determined to get justice for miners who were victims of police lies and cover ups at Orgreave in June 1984. Barbara Jackson, Secretary for the campaign, will be talking to us about the history of the campaign, why they need a public enquiry and what we can do to help. This will be followed by a screening of ‘The Battle of Orgreave’. Organised by Bath Trades Union Council. Free tickets available now.

4) Branch Meeting (Wed 1st Feb, 13:15)

  • Pay inequality at Bath – After news of the VC’s recent 11% pay rise (versus 1.1% imposed on staff), members will be asked to approve a letter to University Council urging action to reduce the growing wage gap.
  • NSS/TEF news – We will also receive an update on the Students’ Union’s policy to implement a boycott of the NSS, as a tactic to disrupt the government’s damaging Higher Education reforms.

Full agenda to follow.

5) Mental Health – Time to Talk (Thurs, 2nd Feb)

The University HS&E Service are organising a number of events this year to challenge stigma around mental health. The first of these is a ‘Time to Talk Cafe’ on Thursday 2nd February. Details of the event here. Trade union representatives have been involved in the planning of this initiative and we encourage members to volunteer to help for half an hour on the day. If you are interested and would like to hear more, please reply to this message or contact Marcia Martin (M.A.Martin@bath.ac.uk, ext 4088).

6) Save Bath Library – Petition

Members joined hundreds of other local residents last Saturday to protest plans to close Bath Central Library and move a severely cut-back service to the ‘One Stop Shop’ in Manvers Street. If you weren’t able to make it, please sign and share the petition to B&NES Council.

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