The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. For more info on the Union nationally – UCU – Home
The South Essex College Branch of UCU is a branch recognised by the SEC management for collective bargaining and negotiating on a wide range of issues where staff consultation is required representing delivery staff across all campuses. The branch covers all campuses of the College.
We meet with Senior Management regularly at the JNC – Joint Negotiating Committee. JNC meets once a term as a minimum to discuss and negotiate across a vast range of issue which can be anything from Pay /Terms & Conditions to any other issue that might affect the staff body collectively. More meetings are arranged as required.
Collectively we also represent members on other working groups & committees such as Health & Safety , Staff Development , Equality , Workload and the Environment.
Individually we also offer members advice on equality, health & safety, pensions, planning for retirement, part-time working and professional issues.
But it’s often the case that members find themselves calling on UCU when they run into a problem that affects them as individuals. Problems like these can arise in any number of ways. And one of the main benefits of belonging to UCU is that, if a difficult situation arises, we can help by giving advice, support and representation. Email – ucu@southessex.ac.uk
And as well as offering support to members on work related issues, we also offer non-work related services including wills, lasting power of attorney, renunciation of executorship, probate, severance of joint tenancy, buying a newly built home, conveyancing, re-mortgaging and financial mis-selling claims such as payment protection insurance (PPI).