Strategy and finance motions

Motions allocated to sections 1-3 of the NEC's report to Congress (UCU/2040).

Section 1: Business of the strategy and finance committee (open session)

Political lobbying

1  Campaign to repeal ALL anti-trade union laws - Composite: Birkbeck, University of London, University of Brighton Moulsecoomb

Congress notes:

1. the impact of anti-union laws inhibiting our and other workers' recent struggles
2. the threat of new 'minimum service' legislation during transport strikes (which could be extended to other sectors)
3. 2019 Congress policy reiterating opposition to ALL anti-trade union laws
4. that TUC Congress and Labour conference voted to campaign to repeal all anti-union laws and their replacement with positive workers' rights, including strong rights to strike and picket. However, this has remained on paper.

Congress believes:

1. the Tories anti-trade union laws are designed to prevent workers taking effective industrial action
2. despite the ballot thresholds UCU have been able to launch UK-wide action
3. the development of GTVO strategies and the use of disaggregated ballots have enabled branches to take on our employers.

Congress resolves:

1. to start campaigning, actively and vocally, for the repeal of and resistance to ALL anti-union laws and for a strong right to strike, including by: producing a leaflet; organising a week of action; organising an activists' day school; and a joint union conference
2. that UCU initiate an inter-union forum on strategies to combat the anti-union laws
3. to stand in solidarity with RMT, which has pledged to defy any 'minimum service requirement', and to support their campaigns against this legislation
4. to call on the Labour Party to commit to abolishing all anti-trade union legislation when elected.

CARRIED AS AMENDED

1A.1  University of Brighton Grand Parade

Add new 'believes' (d): P&O's blatant disregard of employment law raises the question of why workers should obey anti-union laws.

Add new 'resolves' (v): To support all workers who defy anti-union legislation.

CARRIED

1A.2  Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee

After Congress resolves add new point iv and renumber accordingly:

4. to act in solidarity with P&O workers and other workers subject to unfair labour processes, supporting boycotts and demonstrations. UCU calls on its members and on universities and colleges to boycott P&O Ferries.

In new point v (current iv) delete full stop and add at end 'and to enacting legislation to outlaw zero hours' contracts, 'fire and rehire' and other unfair labour practices.'

CARRIED

2  Oppose the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - Composite: Croydon College, Women members standing committee

Congress notes:

1. the government's new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is giving wide ranging new powers to a force mired in institutional racism and sexism with BLM, environmental campaigners and the GRT community specifically targeted and facing yet more repression
2. in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard the handling of the vigil that followed her death and the 'selfies' taken by officers at the murder scene of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry are just two examples of the institutional sexism and misogyny that riddles the force.

Congress believes:

1. the extension of police powers has systematically led to attacks on minority communities, such as the disproportionate use of stop and search - specifically section 60 - on black communities.

Congress resolves:

1. to oppose all extensions of police powers to a force that has systematically failed to deal with institutional racism and sexism in its ranks and which remains institutionally racist and sexist.

CARRIED

3  Opposing oppressive legislation - Composite: Migrant members standing committee, London regional committee

Congress notes:

1. the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC) and the Nationality and Borders Bill are racist and discriminatory.
2. the provisions within these two pieces of legislation will have detrimental effect on UCU members, especially Black, migrant, LGBTQ+, women, and disabled members.

Congress believes:

The Nationality and Borders Bill will effectively remove the right to legally claim asylum in Britain and threatens the right of 6 million people to British citizenship. The government is attempting to use the politics of divide and rule, scapegoating refugees and migrants, to deflect from the own failings.

Congress opposes the bill and agrees to campaign against its outcomes alongside campaign, faith, trade union and antiracist groups - opposing any attempt to target communities over the issue of citizenship - 'dawn raids' - channel 'push backs' and deportations.

Congress resolves to lobby against the provisions of these two pieces of legislation by:

1. instructing the general secretary to write to the Home Secretary expressing opposition on the basis they are discriminatory.
2. calling upon all UCU branches and individual UCU members to write to their local MP stating the union's and their own opposition on the basis they are discriminatory
3. affiliating with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, a national organisation fighting hostile environment policies.

CARRIED AS AMENDED

3A.1 LGBT+ members standing committee

To Congress notes add:

3. UK government decision to move some asylum seekers to Rwanda
4. some trans people face violent detention in Rwanda

To Congress believes add:

Moving asylum seekers to Rwanda puts some people at further risk including LGBT+ people whose relationships aren't legally recognised and face discrimination and social stigma

In Congress opposes add at the end:

Further Congress opposes moving asylum seekers to Rwanda

CARRIED

3A.2 Migrant members standing committee

Add 'and the Shadow Home Secretary' to point a. so it appears after 'Instructing the general secretary to write to the Home Secretary.' After the amendment maintain remaining text.

Point a. to read as follows once amended.

1. instructing the general secretary to write to the Home Secretary and the Shadow Home Secretary expressing opposition on the basis they are discriminatory.

CARRIED

3A.3 National executive committee

Add notes 3:

3. that the case of Child Q highlights the institutional racism at the heart of the police force

Add resolves d & e

4. to campaign to keep the police out of our schools, colleges and campuses
5. to support the 'Justice for Child Q' conference being organised by Diane Abbott MP, Stand Up To Racism and other organisations on Saturday 11 June.

CARRIED

4  Child Q - London regional committee

The horrendous treatment of Child Q shows that the appalling reality of institutional racism in education and policing continues.

Institutional racism is endemic in the police force.

We have to make sure that the issues raised by the inspirational Black Lives Matter movement are not now simply brushed under the carpet.

Child Q has to represent a line in the sand. We will not allow our students to be abused in this way.

UCU supports the 'black child' conference initiated by Diane Abbott MP, Stand Up To Racism and others on Saturday 11 June.

We support the call raised in the Voice newspaper for 'cops out of schools' and colleges and believe there is no place for an institutionally racist police force in schools or on campus.

CARRIED

5  Congress instructs UCU to support proportional representation for UK elections - Loughborough University

Congress notes that the UK is one of only three major developed countries to use a First Past the Post voting system for general elections.

Congress believes that First Past the Post is bad for progressive politics. In fourteen of the last fifteen general elections, most people have voted for parties to the left of the Conservatives, yet Conservatives have been in power for most of this time. Conservatives have attacked trade unions and workers' rights, public services, and the welfare state.

Furthermore, a small minority of voters in marginal constituencies decide the outcomes of elections. There are constituencies in which people have never influenced the result of general elections.

There are tried-and-tested forms of Proportional Representation which maintain a close constituency link between MPs and their voters, allowing voters to vote for named candidates.

Congress resolves to reject First Past the Post and support the introduction of Proportional Representation.

CARRIED

Section 2: Business of the strategy and finance committee (private session)

Industrial action

6  National leadership on ASOS deductions - meaningful legal support - University of Birmingham

Congress notes that:

1. punitive deductions for action short of strike are damaging, intimidatory and potentially unlawful
2. equality impact assessments should be carried out for such deductions
3. various legal arguments can be made to challenge these deductions
4. such deductions potentially constitute bullying and intimidation under definitions commonly adopted by our employers.

Where branches face these deductions, Congress resolves:

1. to provide meaningful legal guidance that challenges the deductions, with reference to case law and statute
2. to prepare a model individual/collective grievance letter, based on the Birmingham UCU model, and to support branches in submitting mass grievances against their employer.

CARRIED

7  Support for industrial action - University of Glasgow

Congress congratulates and thanks UCU Bargaining and Negotiations for their hard work and dedication in supporting industrial action.

Congress notes:

1. the particularly challenging circumstances facing members, and repeated threats and attacks on terms and conditions.
2. increasing use of industrial action to counter them.
3. the postponement of the start of the industrial action ballot from 11 March agreed by HEC to 16 March due to workload in simultaneous strike notification and ballot organisation.

Congress believes that additional resources are required to counter these threats and avoid delays in the start of ballots or industrial action.

Congress instructs:

1. the general secretary and honorary treasurer to make additional resources available for bargaining and negotiation.

CARRIED

Finance and property

8  Appointment of auditors - National executive committee

Congress approves the appointment of Knox Cropper as the union's auditors for the year ending 31 August 2022.

CARRIED

9  Financial statements - National executive committee

Congress receives the union's audited financial statements for the 12-month period ending 31 August 2021 as set out in UCU/2021.

CARRIED

10  Budget 2022-2023 - National executive committee

Congress endorses the budget for September 2022 - August 2023 as set out in UCU/2022.CARRIED

11  Subscription rates - National executive committee

Congress accepts the Treasurer's report on progress with the review of subscription rates and endorses the changes to subscription rates from 1 September 2022 set out in UCU/2023.CARRIED

12  Discounted subscriptions for new members - University of Edinburgh

Congress

Notes:

1. the current membership subscription bands
2. the report on subscription rates at Congress 2021 (UCU/1073)
3. the principle stated therein for 'alleviating subscriptions for those on the lowest salary levels'
4. that academic staff often avail free membership as students before upgrading to standard membership
5. the absence of an analogous route for academic-related professional services staff.

Believes that:

1. discounted subscriptions for the first year of membership will:
   1. further alleviate the membership costs for staff on lower salary levels,
   2. mitigate the disparity in Notes (5) by providing ARPS staff a discounted membership route,
   3. incentivise staff who are not members of the union to join.
2. such a discount will not reduce subscriptions income from existing members.

Resolves to:

1. implement discounted national and local subscription rates for the first year of membership for those who join UCU on bands F(0) and below.CARRIED

13  Reaffirming UCU's commitment to proportional or progressive subscription rates - London regional committee

Motion 6 (Congress2018) asked 'the treasurer and NEC to look at subscriptions with a view to achieving a proportional or progressive system.'

This is erroneously weakened as: 'to look at subscriptions with a view to moving towards a more proportional/progressive system' (UCU/2023), despite this error being amended when it occurred in Congress 2021 (Motion 36).

The five-year deadline expires in 2023, yet we are far from 'proportionality'. For example:

1. under current proposals (UCU/2023) a member on £30k pays about 77 percent of one on £60k. To be proportional it would be 50 percent; to be progressive, less
2. the highest subscription band starts at £60K, with no gradation above this.

Congress:

1. reaffirms its commitment to ACHIEVING proportional or progressive subscriptions by 2024 (year delay to accommodate Covid disruption), whether through lowering middle and low-paid members' fees and/or raising subscriptions for the higher-paid
2. encourages the treasurer to introduce a new higher rate band.

CARRIED

14  UCU: funding our fighting union - National executive committee

Congress notes:

1. UCU has faced down aggressive and increasingly intransigent employer behaviour
2. we must continue to fight for jobs, pay, terms and conditions
3. increasing calls on the UCU Fighting Fund, which provides vital support to members taking strike action and ASOS
4. continuing efforts of UCU to support the fighting fund beyond normal parameters.

Congress agrees to:

1. simplify and widely publicise an opt-in regular solidarity direct debit donation: to encourage joining and existing members to contribute a monthly amount affordable to them, to the Fighting Fund
2. establish an NEC sub-committee to work with SORG, to specifically review Rule 11 and consult with members, to recommend rule change(s) to Congress 2023 to ensure our levy mechanisms are progressive and flexible
3. establish a UCU fundraising group, comprising volunteers from NEC and self-nominated volunteers from the wider membership with fundraising experience, to organise programmes of regular fundraisers online/in-person.

CARRIED AS AMENDED

14A.1 Anti-casualisation committee

Under 'Congress notes:'

Add: '5. Casualised members can experience hardship due to the delay between wage deductions and payments from the Fighting Fund.'

Under 'Congress agrees to:'

Add:

4. assist branches to set up local funds to support our most financially vulnerable members by producing model guidelines to share best practice
5. instruct the NEC to review our processes to make the Fighting Fund more responsive and accessible to casualised members.'

CARRIED

Internal matters

15  Review of Operation of Rule 13 and associated NEC procedures - Newcastle University

Congress notes that the operation of the Rule 13 process can take long periods of time, cause distress to the parties involved and make considerable demands on UCU resources.

It calls for a review into the operation of Rule 13 and associated NEC procedures, including:

1. rule 13 complaints in the last 5 years
2. time periods
3. areas of appropriate complaint
4. pastoral support for complainants, respondents and witnesses
5. operation of confidentiality
6. representational rights of advisers
7. impact of penalties on employment
8. interaction with other UCU procedures
9. compliance with legal rights of trade union members and representatives
10. compliance with principles of natural justice

Congress resolves to elect by and from delegates to Congress 2022 a Review Panel of 12 members to undertake this review. The Review Panel shall elect a Chair from among its members. The Review Panel shall report back to Congress 2023.CARRIED AS AMENDED

15A.1 Southern regional committee

Point 1. 'Delete' '5 years' and 'replace' with '7 years'

'Delete' the words 'and from' between 'by' and 'delegates'

'Insert' in brackets between '12 members' and 'to undertake this review.' the words 'one member from each Region (9) and one member from each of the three nations (3)'

'Add' the words "and agree its own terms of reference.' after "The Review Panel shall elect a Chair from among its members",CARRIED

16  Rule 13: Procedure for the regulation of the conduct of members - West Midlands regional committee

Congress instructs:

NEC to add the following paragraphs at the end of the 'Preamble' of Rule 13:

In interpreting Rule 6.1, those applying this procedure must bear in mind and adhere to the following. That it is unlawful to discipline a member of the union for:

1. seeking to uphold the rules, question whether the rules have been followed, or question whether the actions of any official or representative are in the interests of the union, so long as the question or challenge is brought in a reasonable manner and in good faith (Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidated) Act 1992 section 65 (2) (c)).
2. seeking to support or vindicate the actions of any member who is reasonably thought to be facing unlawful disciplinary action (TULR(C)A 1992 65 (2)(d)).

CARRIED AS AMENDED

16A.1 West Midlands regional committee

Add at the end of the motion:

'Rule 13 should not be used to prevent whistle blowing, or to silence or block legitimate democratic discussion in UCU, or be used to in any way intimidate members seeking to engage in legitimate democratic debate.'

CARRIED

17  Real-time voting at UCU meetings - Southern regional committee

Congress notes:

1. the necessity of having online UCU meetings
2. the need to maintain union democracy, and
3. that voting after Congress can hinder union decision making.

Congress resolves:

1. to have real-time voting at online UCU meetings.

CARRIED

18  UCU and devolution - UCU Scotland executive

Congress believes:

1. UCU needs to recognise that the implications of devolution are that there are four HE polities in the UK
2. treating its own decision making as 'UK with implications for devolved nations' potentially disadvantages devolved nations
3. UCU should take steps towards acknowledging this in campaigns and industrial action
4. the Devolved Nations Working Group should be re-established for regular meetings.

Drafting amended 1: remove 'HE'

CARRIED AS AMENDED

L1  The general secretary's responsibilities in disputes - Composite: University of Brighton, Kingston University

Congress notes that:

1. the UK-wide HE disputes have fragmented to just a small number of branches taking action
2. despite acting on a mandate secured as a result of UK-wide re-ballots these branches have now largely been left to fight on their own for local gains
3. no serious fundraising has been organised centrally to support members faced with 100% pay docking.

Congress believes that:

1. this is a situation which seriously undermines the strength of the union
2. the general secretary must bear ultimate responsibility for this.

Congress instructs the GS:

1. to respect the decisions taken by the democratic bodies of the union
2. to ensure that those decisions are implemented in full and in a timely manner
3. to refrain from interventions in the course of a dispute which contradict the democratically established strategy and undermine the confidence of members in it.

CARRIED

19  Democracy in UCU and censure of the general secretary - University of Dundee

UCU notes:

1. the three week re-ballot of members ended 8th April and failure in notifying employers of any industrial action until May
2. UCU general secretary's report issued on 13th April seeking to end our HE disputes in 2022.

UCU believes:

1. members' democratic control must be at the heart of UCU's industrial strategy
2. members decisions at UCU Congress, sector conferences and HEC must not be undermined if members are to have confidence in the leadership of our union
3. the delays in balloting in 2021, calling industrial action in 2021-22 and in re-balloting and calling action in 2022 all undermined our industrial action's effectiveness.

UCU resolves to:

1. reaffirm the democratic sovereignty of Congress, sector conference and NEC/HEC decisions
2. to censure the general secretary for undermining UCU's democracy and undermining our disputes
3. require that the GS abide by democratic decision making in UCU.

LOST

Section 3: Business of the strategy and finance committee (open session)

European and international work

20  International - National executive committee

Congress:

1. notes the rise in authoritarianism globally and increasing attacks on workers' rights, equality and educational freedoms in many countries
2. recognises the importance of an internationalist perspective and of joint work with sister unions and affiliated organisations in response to such attacks
3. welcomes the union's international activities to defend workers under threat in places like Colombia, Turkey, Palestine, and Hong Kong, and our support for global campaigns on climate justice and vaccine equity
4. recognises the value of mutual learning with our international partners in areas like union renewal, education policy, and climate justice, and the benefits of incorporating international dimensions into our UK policies and bargaining agendas.

Congress therefore calls on NEC to promote greater engagement with members on international issues, including encouraging branch affiliations to solidarity organisations and international campaigns, and developing the use of webinars to raise awareness of international policy and solidarity matters.

Remitted (not taken)

20A.1 LGBT+ members standing committee

Add new point 3.

3. is concerned about the deteriorating situation for LGBT+ people in some countries

For LGBT+ people In the Ukraine, Russian invasion brings dangers such as atrocities in Chechnya, and lack of rights in Russia.

The anti-LGBT+ Hungarian leader, Orban, has been re-elected using anti-LGBT+ rhetoric and measures to gain popularity.

Make old 3 and 4 into 4 and 5 respectively then add 6

6. notes that climate change has considerable affect worldwide. Lack of LGBT+ rights is causing significant problems for LGBT+ people in some disaster relief situations

21  Oppose the invasion of Ukraine - for peace not escalation UCL

Congress stands united in our condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We declare our support for the human rights of those under occupation or suffering oppression.

Congress resolves to:

1. call on the UK government to allow unconditional entry to the UK to refugees displaced by and fleeing this conflict, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or citizenship.

Congress further resolves to:

1. offer our solidarity to any colleagues and students directly and indirectly affected by these events
2. support all those calling for peace, including those in very difficult circumstances in Russia and Belarus, and to call on all governments - including our own - to bring about a peaceful end to this war
3. call on UK universities to facilitate the resettlement of refugee staff and students.

Remitted (not taken)

21A.1 UCL

Add at end:

4. call on UK universities to suspend all institutional cooperation and funding arrangements with all state-funded academic institutions in Russia, and in particular those whose leadership signed a statement by the Russian Union of Rectors dated 4 March 2022 endorsing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Congress supports constructive engagement with Russian colleagues and students on an individual basis, in particular those who may be suffering from, or in danger of suffering from, persecution in Russia.

22  Stop the war in Ukraine - City and Islington College Camden Road

Notes:

1. devastation and misery caused by Russian attack and invasion of Ukraine.

Believes:

1. Putin's responsibility for the bloodshed and believes that US and NATO military invasion will worsen the conflict and cause more death and suffering.

Congress calls for:

1. general secretary to make a public statement calling for an immediate end to the military offensive in Ukraine, the withdrawal of all Russian forces and end NATO expansion into Eastern Europe.

Congress resolves to:

1. campaign for UK government to play its full part in admitting Ukrainian refugees, give them fee-free admission to universities and colleges and the right to work and to waive visa restrictions for all refugees including those from Africa and the middle East
2. support broad-based anti-war campaigns g. by Stop the War and CND
3. support, promote and makes link with Russian anti-war movement (especially those involved in education).

Remitted (not taken)

23  Stop the War in Ukraine - National executive committee

Congress defends Ukraine's right to self-determine and condemns Russia's war.

Congress believes Putin, and Russian imperialism, are responsible for the death and suffering in Ukraine, which direct NATO involvement would escalate and worsen

Congress calls for:

1. the general secretary to call for the withdrawal of all Russian troops, to end the military invasion of Ukraine, no NATO expansion into Eastern Europe.

Congress resolves to:

1. press the UK government to welcome all refugees (including Ukrainians) without bureaucracy or visa restrictions, to support refugees' free access to healthcare and all levels of education, rights to work and draw benefits required for a dignified life
2. foster links to support labour movement activists, educators, and students in Ukraine and Russia
3. support Russian workers, educators, students and activists who oppose war
4. support broad-based anti-war campaigns like Stop the War and CND
5. donate to Education International's Ukraine Solidarity Fund.

Remitted (not taken)

23A.1 University of Warwick

Amend Congress believes to read:

Congress believes Putin's government, and Russian imperialism, are responsible for the death and suffering in Ukraine

Amend Congress calls for (1) to read:

1. the general secretary to call for the withdrawal of all Russian troops and an end to the military invasion of Ukraine

Amend Congress resolves to (d) to read:

4. support broad-based anti-war campaigns that offer unequivocal solidarity to the Ukrainian people and their right to sovereignty and self-defence

23A.2 National executive committee

Add new point e

5. campaign vigorously for the cancellation of Ukraine's national debt in order to release finances for humanitarian aid and medical supplies as well as for future reconstruction.

24  Israeli Apartheid and anti-BDS legislation - University of Dundee

Congress notes the

1. B'Tselm, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch reports on Israeli apartheid highlighting systematic Israeli anti-Palestinian discrimination - widespread seizures of Palestinian land and property, unlawful killings, forcible transfer, drastic movement restrictions, and the denial of citizenship
2. academic Commitment for Human Rights in Palestine
3. designation of 11 Palestinian human rights organisations as 'terrorist'
4. Israeli Ministry of Defence intention to isolate Palestinian universities, undermining higher education, by limiting the number and disciplinary specialisms of foreign scholars permitted work visas
5. Legislation in UK rendering BDS unlawful for public bodies unless consistent with government policy.

Congress resolves to:

1. join the campaign against anti-BDS legislation
2. make forceful representations to the Israeli Embassy, affirming Palestinian universities' membership of the global scholarly community
3. reaffirm Congress' 2010 opinion on BDS and academic boycott
4. immediately invite all members to consider, given reported crimes against humanity, the moral and political consequences of any relationship with Israeli institutions.

Remitted (not taken)

24A.1 London retired members branch

add at end, new item e)

5. to support the Big Ride for Palestine as an effective way to promote these policies

Legal

25  Equality and legal support - National executive committee

Congress commends the work done by the UCU legal panel which is undertaken within UCU rules and policy and is undertaken by volunteers in the best interests of members.

Congress affirms that motions supporting the rights of members from all equality strands have been consistently carried over the past 2 decades, many of which have improved conditions for members. This motion seeks to build on that work by evaluating and improving access to legal support for Disabled, LGBT+, Migrant, Black and Women members who are facing discrimination and or sexual harassment in the workplace, up to and including employment tribunals.

Congress/conference resolves to:

1. undertake an immediate equality impact assessment of the work of the legal panel
2. ensure that in all equalities cases every effort is made to provide full legal support in accordance with UCU policy
3. apply discretion in decision making where this would be in the interests of members.

Remitted (not taken)

Working with other unions

26  A New Deal for Workers - University of Oxford

Congress observes:

1. the sector-wide attacks on workers' pay, conditions, and rights seen in Further and Higher Education are replicated throughout working society in the UK.

Congress notes:

1. the TUC's Charter for a New Deal for Workers, at https://www.tuc.org.uk/NewDealForWorkers, sets out a cross-union campaign for protection from precarious employment, stronger protection from dismissal, a real living wage, equality of pay and conditions, and more as described in the Charter.

Congress believes:

1. in the power of worker solidarity to improve our conditions, and that our struggle extends beyond our sector and the workers we represent.

Congress resolves:

1. to adopt the New Deal for Workers as UCU policy and to mandate the Executive Committee to advocate for the New Deal alongside comrades from other TUC member unions.

Remitted (not taken)

26A.1 London regional committee, National executive committee

Add congress observes 2:

2. We are facing the biggest attack on our standard of living for a generation. The 'cost of living crisis' will leave many working people choosing between 'heating and eating'.

Add Congress notes b:

2. The TUC's call for a mass demonstration against austerity on Saturday 18 June.

Add resolves b:

2. UCU to organise and work with other unions to maximise available transport to achieve the biggest possible mobilisation on the TUC protest.

27  Relationships with other unions - Academic related, professional services staff committee

Congress notes:

UCU ARPS members often work closely with members of other unions, e.g. Unison, and face many shared issues including:

1. increasing, unsafe workloads
2. casualisation
3. pay inequality
4. unequal opportunities for advancement
5. workplace bullying
6. pay deterioration
7. downgrading of roles.

We are in the same fight for decency in our workplaces, but there are few formal structures beyond Joint Negotiating Committees, and varying degrees of communication, co-operation and co-ordination between unions. These risk contributing to division, where unity is needed.

Congress agrees to:

1. encourage respectful collaboration between unions in further and higher education at the national, the regional, devolved nation and local branch levels
2. establish an ARPS-led UK Working Group to investigate closer co-operation between unions
3. encourage branches to establish analogous working groups to create spaces for unity and effectiveness for all our members.

Remitted (not taken)

L2  Solidarity with NUS - National executive committee

Congress notes the:

1. right of elected student officers, and indeed all students, to campaign is essential to a healthy community of learning
2. recent interventions of multiple government ministers exerting pressure on NUS to remove elected President Shaima Dallali from her position
3. UK government's decision to disengage with the NUS
4. targeting of activists in higher education occurs in a broader political context of attacks on academic freedoms at a national and institutional level.

Congress resolves to call on GS in consultation and agreement with the NUS to:

1. demand UK government rescinds derecognition of NUS
2. express our solidarity with NUS and student campaigners.

Remitted (not taken)

28  Safer workplaces, return to workplaces and Long Covid - Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee

Congress notes:

1. the Covid-19 pandemic is still a serious health and equality challenge world-wide, that Covid-19 can be transmitted easily in educational workplaces and further pandemics may occur
2. Long Covid is a serious health issue for significant numbers of staff and students in post-16 education.

Congress calls on the government to take necessary measures to stop the spread of future pandemics and a recurrence of Covid-19.

Congress calls on employers to:

1. provide FFP2/FFP3 masks to staff and students
2. implement strategies to ensure clean air by installing air filtration units where necessary, and by prioritising good ventilation in building strategies
3. include in building strategies provision of more spacious accommodation to allow social distancing
4. provide hand sanitisers
5. ensure that returns to the workplace take place in safe environments for students and staff
6. develop comprehensive policies to support staff and students with Long Covid
7. enable home-working and home-studying if future pandemics occur.

Remitted (not taken)

28A.1 National executive committee

Add to notes:

3. Noise disturbance is a major issue for many neurodivergent and some other people
4. the difficulties in providing quiet ventilation/air filtration

After 'Calls on' add 'and pressures'. Add the following bullet points to this section and renumber:

1. very quiet single offices, very quiet well ventilated teaching and meeting rooms for noise-affected
2. the right to carry out all activities, including teaching, online/at home
3. the provision of suitable accessible equipment to be used at home.

Add 'quiet' before 'air filtration'

Add at end

Agrees to mention these issues in UCU Covid guidance.

Delete 'if future pandemics occur' from point g.

29  Policy proposal to protect immunocompromised staff in post-16 education - Bournemouth University

Congress notes:

1. the risks of Covid19 and other severe infections persist in universities and colleges: this will continue for many years.
2. clinically vulnerable/disabled/pregnant and other immunocompromised colleagues are being pressurised to return to workplaces and conduct face-to-face teaching in unsafe spaces without windows, adequate ventilation, air-purifying systems, and/or in locations where students often decline to wear masks voluntarily.

Congress resolves to demand that:

1. a UK-wide policy be proposed for all universities and colleges which protects clinically vulnerable/disabled/pregnant and immunocompromised staff
2. the policy guarantee staff the right to work from home, and teach all material online where clinically vulnerable/disabled/pregnant and other immunocompromise is confirmed by their medical practitioner
3. this UK-wide policy is included in definitions of 'reasonable adjustment' for staff who identify as disabled

Congress agrees:

1. UCU will lobby Governments and university management to collectively formulate this policy as described and report progress back to Congress in 2023.

Remitted (not taken)

Pensions

30  Campaign for TPS - University of Westminster

Congress notes:

1. the government's promise that favourable outcomes from 2016 valuation would result in increased benefits and reduced contributions
2. the government's subsequent decision to add the cost of the McCloud remedy and change the outcome to one detrimental to TPS members
3. contribution rates should be determined based on the 2016 valuation excluding McCloud costs
4. that a number of sister unions have filed for judicial review to reverse these changes
5. Furthermore, that TPS does not currently allow for strike days' contributions to be made by employers and employees.

Congress instructs the NEC to actively support the legal, as well as other, attempts by sister unions to reverse the government's decision concerning TPS and other public sector pensions. Moreover, it instructs NEC to organise a coordinated campaign, together with sister unions, to change the TPS strike regulations, to allow contributions by employers and employees during strike.

Remitted (not taken)

30A.1 Yorkshire and Humberside retired members branch

Add after point 5, a new point 6

6. Attacks on the right to membership of TPS at GDST (Girls' Day School Trust) and at Staffordshire University.

Add at end:

Congress declares support for the right of all schoolteachers, college lecturers and post-92 university lecturers and researchers to be members of TPS, recognising that removing staff from TPS threatens the scheme. Congress resolves that UCU must educate members about threats to TPS and maintain its vigilance in defence of the TPS scheme.

31  The impact of inflation measures on retirement benefits - Scottish retired members branch

Congress notes that:

Mathematically, the inflation measure CPI is almost invariably lower than RPI. The government is using CPI when uprating benefits such as pensions, and RPI when levying interest on student loans. This is indefensible.

Whereas the gap between CPI and RPI was historically around one percentage point, research by ourselves and the ONS demonstrates there is a strong correlation between the level of CPI and the size of the RPI-CPI gap. January's data show that as CPI has risen to 5.5%, but RPI was 7.8%. The gap was 2.3 percentage points.

If CPI peaks at 8%, then RPI could reach well into double figures, raising serious implications for our members, pensioners, and society generally.

Congress instructs the Executive to bring this situation to the attention of our members and to spokespersons of political parties and to make use of this information in our current campaigns.

Remitted (not taken)

31A.1 South West retired members branch

Add at end:

Further, the government should use a single inflation measure, and end the policy of 'inflation shopping' whereby it uses one measure (currently CPI) to calculate increases in benefits - public pensions, state pensions, personal tax credits etc, and a different measure (currently RPI) to calculate increases in payments - student loan repayments, vehicle excise duty, rail fares, business rates etc. Any such inflation measure must be calculated by a body independent of government.