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Thanks everyone @UCU_Ulster who made overcoming tech issues possible! Really great questions on REF, #Anticas and #SecureWork, #Workload + academic & academic related & professional staff contracts (#LoveOurARPS!)/1
The stuff that came up about role profiles for academic related+professional staff roles is partially covered here:ucu.org.uk/article/1931/R…
^Academic role profiles+guidance were agreed through JNCHES (AUT days, pre-UCU). ARPS role profiles weren't quite prioritised in same way /2
^Academic role profiles+guidance were agreed through JNCHES (AUT days, pre-UCU). ARPS role profiles weren't quite prioritised in same way /2
Who're ARPS? WE ARE LEGION! Working in diverse roles sometimes referred to as professional/services/managerial; in 2004 Framework Agreement as 'Academic Related'. We include library+IT staff, administrators, specialists, student support, counsellors, careers advisors, more! /3
A 'national library' of role profiles for academics was developed. Intentions to do this for ARPS... but no *comparable* library. Some local role profiles were agreed between individual AUT/UCU branches+uni mgmts; later UCU developed model ARPS profiles ucu.org.uk/arprofiles /4
There is a problem with grade drift and deflation across all roles, but it's especially marked for ARPS staff where our roles never received quite the same attention with respect to implementation of the 2004 Framework Agreement. /5
This = key area of work for the now thankfully reconstituted @UCU_ARPS committee. We had a year of Not Technically Existing owing to 2 consecutive inquorate annual meetings (the 2nd mostly down to snow + a near miss). We urgently need to rejuvenate + build organisation of ARPS /6
(Lack of) career progression, respect, opportunity are all major themes from the past 13 years of motions to @UCU_ARPS annual meetings, as are specific concerns about implementation of the Framework Agreement, job evaluation, downgrading + outsourcing. /7
Check out these concerns from the @UCU_ARPS 2008 annual meeting:
- Framework Agreement implementation + academic-related staff
- Framework Agreement
- Bias in Job Evaluation Schemes /8
- Framework Agreement implementation + academic-related staff
- Framework Agreement
- Bias in Job Evaluation Schemes /8
A major theme for over a decade (!) has concern over the deterioration in the links between academic & ARPS roles, loss of the notion we're all part of the same *academic team*. If we allow mgmt narratives to divide us, it's easier for the "us/them" talk to creep in=dangerous!/10
^^This is why @UCU_ARPS staff find it so exclusionary and divisive when @UCU is referred to in the media as the "lecturers' union" <-- as a matter of fact that excludes a LOT of UCU members in many categories across FE + HE. This is why it matters we recognise + #LoveOurARPS /11
I've had range of casualised academic roles+eventually moved into fixed term full time ARPS role, after a few years was finally made permanent (we @leedsucu worked hard alongside @UoLUnison in my unit!) so I've experienced all manner of weird us/them narratives: all damaging! /12
As VP I'd prioritise addressing representation&organising gaps+deficits across all staff groups @UCU represent in FE *and* HE. This means time, resources, targeted data collection + analysis, inclusive campaigning+bargaining strategies to drive organisation, wins, recruitment /13
This year's ARPS meeting was brilliant, positive organising space! @UCU_ARPS committee now exists to channel ARPS concerns to NEC+Congress. We'll be announcing an action plan soon based on the workshop discussions at the annual meeting + relaunching our newsletter #LoveOurARPS/14
Particular concerns were raised at this year's annual mtg about damaging changes to IT services, support for counselling services + mental health of students and staff. We have PLANS! For more on the annual @UCU_ARPS mtg + campaign planning see: /15
