We want to highlight to members two funds that can be accessed to reduce any financial hardship resulting from the punitive deductions threatened by management for those taking part in the action. Details on how to apply for both the National and Local funds can be found below. For any questions regarding the MAB itself, GUCU have produced an FAQ that can be found in your inbox. We also encourage members to come to our MAB surgeries taking place regularly every Friday.
It is our understanding we are under no legal obligation to to respond to requests to declare participation in industrial action — which includes engaging with the opt-out form. We have sent out information regarding members on migrant visas and will have more guidance to follow shortly. Members can consult the national UCU advice in the interim.
HOW TO APPLY
We encourage members to apply to both funds, starting with the national UCU Fighting Fund, with our local hardship to act as a top-up to anything not covered by the national.
National fund
UCU National Fund can be accessed through your online account here. Click on the fighting fund tab to the right and follow the instructions, including the amount being claimed. Those who earn up to £30000 p.a. can apply for £75 per day of deductions up to 9 days in total, with those who earn over £30000 p.a. able to apply for £50 per day for the same timeframe. These are claimable 3 days after the initial deduction. Proof of loss of wages via an uploaded payslip will be required. The total amounts claimable by members from the national fund are as follows:
- those earning up to £30000 p.a. – £675
- those earning over £30000 p.a. – £450
Local fund
For losses incurred above these amounts, members should apply to the local GUCU hardship fund. Minimal details are required for this process. Members should send a completed application form and, where possible, payslips showing deductions and with the amount being claimed to gucuhardshipfund@gmail.com.
How much can be claimed?
In previous disputes, members have been able to claim up to £500. However we are aiming to administer the fund on the basis of financial need with the determined hope that no member need face financial difficulty due to these punitive deductions. The fund will be administered by a 5-member Working Group including a branch officer, the treasurer, 2 lay members and a casualised member who will field applications. Those in most financial need will be given priority, under the following categories:
- members on low monthly pay or on casualised, temporary hourly paid or fractional contracts
- members with costs associated with being a migrant worker in Britain
- members at risk of rent or mortgage arrears
- members with dependents
- members at risk of other forms of financial hardship
Who can apply?
These funds are for all members who require support during this period – deductions from industrial action affect both permanent and casualised staff, and the funds are here to make it possible for members to continue taking part. If you have any questions please email gucuhardshipfund@gmail.com. Members who may be in a position to make lesser claims are asked to consider doing so to support those more in need, with those on more secure finances also encouraged to make individual donations to the local strike fund if possible.
Associate Lecturers and Graduate Trainee Tutors
For Associate Lecturers and Graduate Trainee Tutors, in cases where marking has been reallocated due to a member’s participation to the MAB, and so additional hours of work that were expected have now not been offered, we are aware that both the national and local funds have previously accepted evidence of this in the form of email chains confirming that the expected marking has been reallocated.