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Special HE Sector Conference - September 2021: USS & pay disputes - Pay and Four Fights motions

16 September 2021

Special higher education sector conference - HE dispute(s), including New JNCHES, USS, TPS, and any possible links between them


7  Campaigns over pay/Four Fights and USS - Newcastle University 

Conference notes: 

  1. the ballot on the 2020-21 pay 'award' which produced an 86% rejection by members
  2. the branch delegate meetings in April to canvas opinion on the pay campaign 
  3. the employers' unacceptable offer for 2021-22 of 1.5%
  4. the motions calling for action over pay/Four Fights at HESC (HE1-5), and on USS (HE12) all of which were carried 
  5. the amendment HE2A.1 committing the union to coordinate the fight over pay with the fight to defend USS as a defined benefit pension
  6. that 33% of HE employees are on casual contracts (HESA data). Increasing casualisation is detrimental to both casualised and permanent workers, directly reducing job security and conditions, indirectly damaging sector pension schemes by increasing opt-out.

Conference believes that now is the time to set the timetable and organise the ballot for action, not for further consultation and prevarication. 

Conference calls on HEC to implement the HESC motions and organise the campaigns over pay/Four Fights and USS.

Conference resolves that campaigns incorporate clear communications on how casualisation affects all members in 4Fights and USS disputes, and specifies visible actions for all members to carry out, with the General Secretary allocating extra resources to deliver this.

CARRIED as amended

7A.1  Anti casualisation committee

After 'conference notes: 5' add:

'6: that 33% of HE employees are on casual contracts (HESA data). Increasing casualisation is detrimental to both casualised and permanent workers, directly reducing job security and conditions, indirectly damaging sector pension schemes by increasing opt-out.'

Add at end (after 'Four fights and USS')

'Conference resolves that campaigns incorporate clear communications on how casualisation affects all members in 4Fights and USS disputes, and specifies visible actions for all members to carry out, with the General Secretary allocating extra resources to deliver this.'

CARRIED

8  Ballot members over the 2021-22 pay round - University College London

HESC notes

  1. that the 2021-22 pay round has resulted in UUK recommending employers impose a 1.5% increase, and no progress on casualisation, equality, workload or redundancies
  2. the success in increasing GTVO turnout in 2019 by placing both ballot papers in the same envelope.

HESC resolves to ballot members over the 2021-22 pay round, in the same envelope as USS where possible.

CARRIED

9  The pay/Four Fights campaign - University of Brighton, Grand Parade and University of Brighton Moulsecoomb

Conference notes:

  1. the unresolved disputes with UCEA over the 2020/21 and 2021/22 pay claims.
  2. the need for an industrial campaign to defend USS by members in pre-92 institutions.
  3. despite the pandemic, student numbers have continued to rise, making the HE sector richer than ever.

Conference believes pensions are deferred pay. Defending pensions is inseparable from fighting over pay, pay equality, casualisation, redundancies and workloads.

Conference resolves:

  1. to ballot all HE members for industrial action in pursuance of the 2021/22 pay claim
  2. the ballot should be disaggregated and run concurrently with the USS ballot, or as soon as possible thereafter if that is impossible, with a view to action beginning in November
  3. strike action should be escalating and indefinite, and coordinated where possible with action over USS.

CARRIED

10  (up to and including point c.)  What a win looks like - University of Nottingham

Conference notes:

  1. the failure of employers to recognise and address the root causes of the USS and 4Fights disputes
  2. the widespread frustration and disappointment of members at this failure
  3. the need for a clear answer to the question: what does a win look like? when planning industrial action
  4. the USS dispute, whilst complex, can achieve a clear win
  5. a cut to pensions is a cut to pay.

Conference resolves:

  1. to prepare for ballot on USS and identify a simple and clear battle cry around which members can rally
  2. to fully support branches in in the GTVO campaign
  3. to develop an IA strategy that includes strike, and other forms of creative action, that maximise the opportunity for the union to achieve its objectives

FELL

10A.1  University of Swansea

Add at end of motion 10 (i.e. as continuation to paragraph d. with comma after 'for now'): 

and develop a medium to long-term strategy on pay and equalities, given that there is little evidence that a repeat of previous industrial action will result in a successful outcome and further unsuccessful action can only weaken the union's negotiating position for future bargaining rounds.

FELL

10A.2  Anti casualisation committee

After 'conference notes: 5' Add:

6: That 33% of HE employees are on casual contracts (HESA data). Increasing casualisation is detrimental to both casualised and permanent workers, directly reducing job security and conditions, indirectly damaging sector pension schemes by increasing opt-out.

After 'Conference resolves: d)' add:

Conference resolves that campaigns incorporate clear communications on how casualisation affects all members in 4Fights and USS disputes, and specifies visible actions for all members to carry out, with the General Secretary allocating extra resources to deliver this.

FELL

10  (point d)  What a win looks like - University of Nottingham

Conference resolves to continue the campaign for the 4Fights with vigour, determination and all means possible, bar strike action for now.

FELL

Last updated: 17 May 2022