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Day: 23 October 2015

Union announces formal Trade Dispute and possible strike action

Written by Charlie Spargo on . Posted in News.

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced a formal Trade Dispute with the University of Manchester and will ballot for strike and other industrial action, after negotiations regarding the outsourcing of IT services broke down again.

The UMUCU Executive Committee sent a message to all its members on Wednesday the 21st of October, announcing that a six-hour meeting on Monday for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) talks did not end in agreement.

In the AGM held the same day, it was unanimously agreed upon that a strike should be balloted for. According to President of UMUCU Dr. Adam Ozanne, this would be the first time in the history of the university that industrial action has been called locally as opposed to in a national campaign.

“In the continued absence of any concrete proposals from the Senior Leadership [Team] (SLT), UCU has no option but to exercise our members’ mandate, declare a formal Trade Dispute and ballot members on industrial action, authority for which was granted to the branch last week by UCU’s national officials,” read the Committee’s message.

“Despite this declaration, we wish to emphasise that the branch is committed to seeking a negotiated agreement and avoiding industrial action. However, achieving this will require significant concessions on key negotiation points from the SLT, which it has failed to do for nearly six months now.”

The campus unions asked the leadership of the university that there would be no compulsory redundancies of the 37 redeployees and 219 IT staff notified of their situations in April and July respectively;, that the maximum time an employee can remain on the redeployment register—currently being reduced from an unlimited time down to six months—can be negotiated; and that agreed policies and procedures were agreed to. The university, however, dispute that they have violated these procedures.

“This morning, we were told the SLT is now willing to ‘move’ from its current position of 6 months, but no concrete alternative proposal was offered. In addition, there is still no firm commitment to removing the threat of compulsory redundancies facing at risk staff,” said the Committee in its message.

“The misguided plans for outsourcing large parts of IT Services, the restructuring of FLS, MHS and EPS and the announcement last week of a review of Archaeology that focuses primarily on its “business case”… should worry every member of the University.”

Following a review of the Faculty of Life Sciences, it will be broken up and its constituent parts being integrated into the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences or the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

A University of Manchester spokesman said: “The university continues to meet with the trade unions on a range of matters and has offered further discussions to try to resolve any issues.”

Campaigns and Citizenship Officer Hannah McCarthy said: “The decision which came out of the UCU AGM to unanimously ballot for Industrial action shows an incredible appetite from staff to resist the increasing attacks on their employment terms and conditions by university management.

“The fact that staff are forced to contemplate industrial action in order to remove pernicious compulsory redundancies from the academic sphere and to fight 67 redundancies in IT services is shocking, and merely typifies the fact that the university and higher education more generally is becoming marketised; concerned more and more with the accumulation of profit as opposed to the welfare of staff and students and the promotion of education as a public good.”

Investigation shows Manchester receives enormous funding from fossil fuel giants

Written by Charlie Spargo on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

The University of Manchester has received almost £28 million in funding from fossil fuel giants since 2010, according to a report released by Greenpeace, following the submission of multiple Freedom of Information requests to British universities.

More than £134 million has been taken by the country’s top universities in five years, according to the data, which is published on Greenpeace’s website.

Manchester took the highest amount of funding at £27.7 million, 20 per cent of the total found in the investigation, the vast majority of which came from BP, at £18.6 million, followed by Shell, at £5.6 million.

Manchester was followed by Cambridge, which received £25.7 million, and then Imperial College (£23.9 million). 80 per cent of Russell Group universities told Greenpeace that they have taken the funding, though this figure may be higher as some refused to release the data.

A spokesperson for the University of Manchester said: “The university has a Socially Responsible Investment Policy, which is a public document, and is available on our website. Our investment portfolio is managed by one of the world’s leading asset management firms, and is reviewed annually against our Socially Responsible Investment Policy.

“The terms of the Socially Responsible Investment Policy were agreed by the university’s Finance Committee and by the Board of Governors, which has Students’ Union representation.  We do not hold any direct shareholdings, so any influence is brought to bear purely by our Fund Managers, and because they work on behalf of a number of institutions, they can bring much greater influence to bear than a single organisation.

“As part of our review process, there have been occasions in the past when the university has disinvested in certain companies; for example, we no longer invest in tobacco companies.”

Professor Colin Bailey, the university’s Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “Ignoring the problem of the global challenges of climate change and energy is not socially responsible. The Earth’s natural resource is incredibly precious and we must not waste it or damage the planet for future generations.  Simply, refusing to engage with companies involved with fossil fuels is not the answer.

“We must work with these companies to ensure that this precious resource is not wasted.  This will involve using the latest research and techniques, together with regulation and investment, to ensure that any extraction of fuel has the least impact on the environment, is transported to its point of use without any waste and is used sparingly and effectively.

“Strong engagement with these companies, through our range of activities, will ensure responsible corporate behaviour.  In parallel, we continue apace to research and develop all low-carbon forms of energy, in terms of its source, transmission and use, with the ultimate aim of significantly reducing the world’s dependency on fossil fuels.”

The Fossil Free Campaign, commenting on this report, said: “Given the University of Manchester’s stated commitment to sustainability, we are disappointed at the level of funding that the University receives from an industry whose current business model is incompatible with a safe climate.

“We are concerned that the direction of research may be biased towards further use of fossil fuels instead of giving due urgency to research into alternative energy sources. At this critical time for tackling climate change, the University should remember its duty to act in the public interest instead of furthering the commercial interests of the fossil fuel industry at the expense of humanity’s wellbeing.”

Earlier this year, The Mancunion reported that the university still retained a portfolio worth £40 million in the fossil fuel industry.

Protesters and supporters greet Chinese President at Town Hall

Written by Nicole Tamer on . Posted in News.

Thousands of people gathered in front of Manchester Town Hall on Friday 23rd October in order to celebrate or protest against the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. During his four-day visit in England, a series of investment deals have been signed. David Cameron welcomed him in Manchester to visit the National Graphene Institute and to promote the government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda.

Amidst the cheering of Chinese supporters, protests were called by many organisations. The reasons for protesting were varied but the main concern was China’s human rights record. The Manchester Disabled People Against The Cuts (MDPAC) states that human rights abusers are not welcome in Manchester and that earlier protests in the city were apparently not clear enough.

Members of the Manchester People’s Assembly also voiced their concerns over many government deals and protested loudly with drums and slogans. People from all walks of life were present and came from all corners of the world.

A couple who flew to Manchester from the Netherlands protested with a big group against the persecution of people who practise Falun Gong. Under China’s last president, Hu Jintao, followers of the harmless health practice were persecuted and their organs sold for transplant. The European Parliament expressed their concern over this violation of human rights in a resolution in 2013.

Mary Begley, a guest lecturer and Ph.D. student at the University of Manchester, protested against the development of two new nuclear power stations at Sizewell and Bradwell. Investments in the Hinkley Point nuclear plant have been secured although it came under fire over its costs.

It will be more expensive than current solar energy sources and the Government has just proposed huge cuts to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), the scheme that supports small scale renewables. Cutting the tariff will put at least 20,000 people at risk of job losses and harm further investments in renewable energy in the future. Gerald Kaufman, MP for Gorton, voiced his concern in a letter to The Mancunion but sees no point in attempting to sway Cameron’s opinion. However, he promised to remain active on the matter.

It wasn’t just the protesters who came from far away. The Mancunion spoke to supporters of the President, specifically Chinese students from the University of York, Liverpool John Moores University, and some who flew in from China. Many wore traditional gowns and uniforms to greet their President. Allegations from protesters that some students were paid by the government to cheer, wear stickers, and wave flags have been denied.

Another protester was given the honour of representing Tibetan refugees in Manchester by Chodak Hunter, a well-known Tibetan activist in the UK. Supporters of Tibet hoped that the President would be reminded of his human rights responsibilities and would learn from the power of debate and democracy on show during his visit.

Although the protesters’ voices were loud, the number of Chinese supporters was higher and they will probably have made a bigger impression on the President and the gathered crowds.

Ask us

Written by Anon on . Posted in Lifestyle.

I’m a ‘live at home’ student and I’m finding it difficult to integrate myself into the uni life. I often feel left out because even though I get on with people in my lectures, I still seem to miss out on nights out. I am beginning to resent my decision to stay at home even though it saves me a lot of money. How could I connect better with with people at university and get more out of my time here?

Dear Home-boy,

Whilst halls is a unique part of the British university lifestyle, there is a substantial amount more to be enjoyed without having to be situated there. University is the perfect time and place to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and you living at home does not make you ineligible to do so. There are various clubs, societies, groups and organizations where like-minded people get together; whatever the niche, everyone is catered for. Joining one or more could springboard you to meeting new people and developing new relationships. Furthermore, if you feel you connect with the people on your course; then attend the socials, drive yourself to keep in contact with your associates, and make an effort to see them socially outside of your lectures. You will find that the more you push yourself, the less excluded you will feel, and the more you’ll enjoy university.

‘Wiggo’ returns to Manchester for Revolution Elite Series

Written by Alex Whitcomb on . Posted in Sport.

This Saturday sees the Revolution track series make a welcome return to the Manchester velodrome for the first round of the elite events. This will be one of three rounds to be held in Manchester this season, with London and Glasgow holding hosting meetings as well. Among the athletes competing will be Sir Bradley Wiggins, who’ll be hoping that his own squad will be able to capitalise on the momentum of his recent win at the European championships. The quality of the field this year justifies its billing as one of the biggest track series in the world.

For Bradley Wiggins, this is all part of the long road to Rio 2016. Since completing the Tour/Olympic double in 2012, he has made it very clear that his major goal is now to win on the track at the Olympics again. His form in the last two years has been impressive and it does bode well for the quadruple gold medallist. Since 2013 he has won the Tour of Britain, Tour of California, World Time Trial Championships, European Track Championships, and has absolutely smashed the UCI World Hour Record.

While GB’s men have failed to win a single World Track title in the last two years, it is the case that Britain tend to peak at around the time of the Olympics. This means that events like Revolution are used as prime preparation for major championships and are a good indicator of how the British team are progressing towards the next year’s games. Wiggins will be racing with his own Team WIGGINS development squad, and will be alongside potential teammates for his event—the team pursuit—in Rio.

Like cycling in the UK, Revolution has grown exponentially in recent years. Starting in 2003, the series has gone beyond being simply a niche event. Its place in the year makes it a great winter event for road cyclists who primarily race in the summer months, and this has helped it attract the best athletes. Mark Cavendish debuted his world champion’s jersey at the event in 2011, and top British riders like Geraint Thomas and Laura Trott make regular appearances. Also, for the first time this year the event will be televised live on British Eurosport, with previous series only being shown as a highlights package.

The Elite series is the men’s professional competition at Revolution. Each team nominates two riders to compete in 5 different types of race every round for five rounds, and the team with the most points at the end is crowned champion. The Scratch race is the simplest race and is won by the first to cross the finish line. The elimination race one rider is eliminated every two laps and the winner is the last rider remaining. The points race involves a sprint for points every 10 laps and is won by the rider with most points at the end. The 1km time trial is an individual race against the clock over four laps.

By far the most unique race is the Madison Time Trial, with pairs taking part with one rider racing at the bottom of the track and one resting at the top. When the resting rider takes over they grab the hand of the racer and the racer uses his momentum to sling them forward. This is the most technically difficult of the races and is an exciting watch, especially for the uninitiated.

The HOY Future Stars series is also a major attraction, where British cycling’s best 15 and 16 year old boys and girls battle it out over 5 rounds. The impressive list of past winners includes two Olympic champions, three world champions and two European Champions.

Home support surely also will be firmly behind Team Sky, who have been based in the city since launching in 2010. European Champion Elia Viviani will be the Sky’s star rider in Manchester and is on an impressive run of form on the road and track with 12 wins this year. Australia’s Orica-Greenedge will be the international interest this year, and have one of the strongest fan followings on the World Tour.  Their lighthearted YouTube channel is one of the most watched in cycling and the team give out more freebies to fans on the roadside than any other. They will be bringing Brit Adam Blythe and Aussie Glenn O’Shea to Round 1 of the Elite Series. Other teams competing include Belgian outfit Etixx-Quickstep—who have just parted company with Mark Cavendish—and stalwarts of the domestic pro scene JLT Condor.

With this being the last Revolution before the Olympics, it will be the last major event for riders to impress the national squad coaches to make it into the world championships team. This will make it a good opportunity for fans to see the stars before the business of bettering the seven gold medal-haul of 2012 really gets serious.