CU Coventry - FAQs

Q: Do I have to join UCU to sign the petition?

A: NO. You can sign whether you are a member or not. The most important thing is that we can show the Central Arbitration Committee that you would support having UCU to negotiate for you collectively.

Q: I'm thinking of joining but worried about the cost. How much does it cost to join UCU?

A: You'd be amazed at how cheap it actually is. Our subs are graded according to your income, you can pause your subs when you are between jobs or contracts AND, you can claim up to 2/3rds of the value of your subs as tax relief, so you get that money back. And for that you get to help build our union at CU Coventry and enjoy the advice and protection we can provide.

Q: I have a management role in CU Coventry. Can I sign and can I be a UCU member?

A: YES! We represent managers all over the HE sector and you are no different. Sign today and we can represent you and collectively bargain to ensure that you and your colleagues are all fairly treated. Join UCU and we can represent you individually if you have a problem at work.

Q: Will my employer ever know that I signed the UCU petition?

 A: Absolutely not. The only person who will ever see your signature will be the independent case worker for the Central Arbitration Committee who will check it against a staff list provided by the employer.

Q: If the CAC see we have a majority, what happens next?

A: You get a secret ballot. The next thing that happens is that the CAC will organise a secret ballot of staff and we have to ensure that we get a majority on a 40% turnout. Which we have no doubt we will do. Then your employer has to end their resistance and legally recognise you.

Q: Why is CU Coventry refusing to engage with UCU?

A: It's not entirely clear, but statements they have made in the past indicate that under the current business model where there is a big gap between your pay and conditions and those at the University, Coventry University is making a lot of money out of your hard work and they don't want that to stop until they have no other choice. Even private, for profit companies working in higher education have taken a more enlightened attitude than this. But UCU has won every recognition campaign we've fought in the Coventry Group and we are determined to win this one too.

The bottom line is that if we're determined and organised enough, they can't stop you and then they will have to deal with us. You have the power and they can feel it ebbing away. That's why unions are so important. They give you power.