Representation & Advocacy
Overview
UTASU is your voice in matters of employment, working tirelessly to ensure fair treatment, due process, and equity across all campuses. We provide direct representation in employment disputes and actively advocate for the collective interests of our members in negotiations with the University.
Key Services
- Grievance Representation: Assisting individual members in formal complaints or disciplinary matters.
- Legal Support: Offering guidance or referrals in cases involving breach of contract or unfair treatment.
- Contract Review: Examining employment contracts or related documents for fairness and compliance.
Examples
- A lecturer facing an unfair suspension contacts UTASU. We arrange representation at disciplinary hearings and negotiate a resolution.
- When new policies affecting workload are introduced, UTASU engages management to advocate for reasonable implementation.
Dispute Resolution
Overview
Not all conflicts are with administration—sometimes, misunderstandings arise between colleagues. UTASU acts as a neutral mediator, helping members find peaceful, professional resolutions without escalation.
Key Services
- Peer Mediation: Offering structured, confidential mediation between staff members.
- Workplace Conflict Management: Supporting teams through communication breakdowns or departmental disputes.
Examples
- Two faculty members in the same department disagree on course assignments. UTASU facilitates a mediation session and helps reach a compromise.
- A dispute over authorship on a research paper is resolved with UTASU’s guidance.
Professional Development & Career Support
Overview
UTASU champions your academic and professional growth. We support members seeking promotions, professional recognition, and access to opportunities for skill development.
Key Services
- Promotion Advisory Support: Offering feedback and coaching on promotion applications.
- Workshops & Seminars: Coordinating sessions on publishing, grant writing, and teaching best practices.
- Mentorship & Peer Support: Facilitating professional guidance among members.
Examples
- A senior lecturer preparing for promotion receives feedback and document review from UTASU representatives.
- UTASU hosts a seminar on preparing a teaching portfolio for academic advancement.
Collective Bargaining & Employment Advocacy
Overview
UTASU represents the collective voice of academic staff in negotiations around wages, benefits, and conditions of service, ensuring that your terms of employment are fair and competitive.
Key Services
- Salary Negotiation: Engaging in discussions with the University about pay scales and raises.
- Contract Renewal Advocacy: Monitoring employment terms to safeguard member rights.
- Conditions of Service Reviews: Reviewing workload, leave entitlements, and contract terms.
Examples
- UTASU successfully negotiates an annual salary adjustment in response to rising inflation.
- When contract lecturers raise concerns about renewal practices, UTASU presents a formal case to HR.
Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement
Overview
UTASU collaborates with local and international bodies to advocate for the broader academic profession and improve the quality of tertiary education in Jamaica.
Key Services
- Networking with Unions and Education Bodies: Participating in forums that shape educational policy.
- Policy Monitoring and Feedback: Tracking national and institutional changes that impact academic work.
- Joint Initiatives: Partnering on research, conferences, and campaigns that promote higher education.
Examples
- UTASU joins forces with other unions to respond to national education policy shifts.
- We co-host a forum on higher education financing with an international academic body.
Member Welfare & Social Support
Overview
UTASU values the whole person—not just the professional. We promote the social, emotional, and financial well-being of members through a range of welfare initiatives and community-building events.
Key Services
- Emergency Assistance: Providing limited support during crises (e.g., illness, family emergencies).
- Social Events: Hosting mixers, retreats, and cultural celebrations for staff bonding.
- Wellness Programs: Supporting health awareness, stress management, and work-life balance.
Examples
- A member who loses a family member receives a UTASU condolence package and mental health resources.
- UTASU organizes a staff appreciation day with games, music, and guest speakers.