Business of the Equality Committee 2016

Motions have been allocated to a section of the NEC's report to Congress (UCU712). Paragraph headings refer to paragraphs within this report. CBC has added some new paragraph headings to facilitate the ordering of motions.

Section 2 of the NEC's report to Congress

Motions:

22 - Gender and pay
23 - Fighting for trade union equality work
24 - Combating anti-Muslim racism
25 - In defence of Malia Bouattia
26 - Say her name: justice for Sarah Reed
27 - Supporting equality reps 
28 - Grant access to the equality conference for ALL equality reps
29 - Treatment of refugees with protected characteristics
30 - Disability and refugees
31 - Bullying, harassment and mental health conditions and issues
32 - Developing gender identity and sexual orientation equality
33 - Adopting a gender perspective in UCU
34 - Parents at work
35 - Sexual harassment

(EP) advisory marking denoting UCU existing policy

Equality and employment rights, paragraph 2.1

22 (EP) Gender and pay - Women Members' Standing Committee

UCU's 2015/16 gender pay gap research highlights areas of great concern in relation to Men's and Women's pay in both FE and HE. This disparity in favour of men sits between 2 and 8% in FE and 7 and 16% in HE, where 77% of professors are men which is surprising as more than 50% of academics at the early career stage are women.

Our research shows that in HE the problem is worse in the Russell group and pre-92 institutions whilst FE institutions show varying problematic trends nationwide.

It is unacceptable that 45 years after the Equal Pay Act, women are still on average earning 14.2% less than their male equivalents and for women working part-time or in casualised roles, the gap is far greater.

Congress demands action for equal pay and a closing of the gender pay gap especially in further and higher education.

Carried as amended

22A.1 Women Members' Standing Committee

Add at end: 'The stunning victory by EIS/FELA (The Further Education Lecturers' Association) members winning a 3 year deal, including 33% rise for low paid, mainly women workers, shows that hard hitting escalating strike action is the best way to close the gender gap.'

Carried

Substantive motion

UCU's 2015/16 gender pay gap research highlights areas of great concern in relation to Men's and Women's pay in both FE and HE. This disparity in favour of men sits between 2 and 8% in FE and 7 and 16% in HE, where 77% of professors are men which is surprising as more than 50% of academics at the early career stage are women.

Our research shows that in HE the problem is worse in the Russell group and pre-92 institutions whilst FE institutions show varying problematic trends nationwide.

It is unacceptable that 45 years after the Equal Pay Act, women are still on average earning 14.2% less than their male equivalents and for women working part-time or in casualised roles, the gap is far greater.

Congress demands action for equal pay and a closing of the gender pay gap especially in further and higher education.

The stunning victory by EIS/FELA (The Further Education Lecturers' Association) members winning a 3 year deal, including 33% rise for low paid, mainly women workers, shows that hard hitting escalating strike action is the best way to close the gender gap.

23 Fighting for trade union equality work - LGBT Members' Standing Committee

Congress is concerned that anti-bullying, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies are subject to varied levels of implementation amongst and within institutions. Congress notes the important equality work of unions. The Government has little concern for equality and threatens unions with an antagonistic Bill. Congress is concerned about this situation and the position that vulnerable people will face.

Congress resolves that UCU will:

1. centrally include equality concerns in all work against the trade union legislation
2. promote findings from research that LGB and T people face high levels of bullying and there is insufficient training
3. resource and promote work into surveying branches about implementation of LGBT equality including subsequent dissemination actions across the UK
4. explore the inclusiveness of the LGBT acronym and report to Congress 2017 with findings
5. work with the TUC to have a 'Dignity and Respect Policy' adopted as standard in all workplaces in the UK.

Carried

Campaigning for equality (anti-racism), paragraph 3

24 Combating anti-Muslim racism - Black Members' Standing Committee

Congress notes the alarming rise in instances of anti-Muslim racism especially in the wake of the attacks in Paris and Brussels. Crime figures in London alone show a 60% rise in 'Islamophobic' attacks over the past two years. Figures from January 2014 to January 2015 saw 667 reported crimes compared to 1,068 reported in the next twelve-month period.

More recently, in March of this year a Muslim student had her face veil ripped off in a racist attack on the Strand outside King's College whilst attending an Islamic Society stall.

Congress believes that educational institutions should ensure that their facilities are spaces which are free from all forms of racism with particular attention paid in the current context to anti-Muslim racism.

Congress resolves to produce guidance for branches on combating anti-Muslim racism and seek to develop joint initiatives with sister unions and the NUS.

Carried

25 In Defence of Malia Bouattia - West Midlands Regional Committee

Congress notes:

1. the ongoing Islamophobic targeting of Birmingham and the West Midlands by far right extremist groups including the EDL, Britain First and Pegida
2. the institutionalised Islamophobic rhetoric surrounding education in Birmingham in the Trojan Horse investigation
3. the historic election in 2016 of Birmingham student Malia Bouattia as the first black female Muslim NUS president.

Congress resolves:

1. to pledge full support to Malia Bouattia and her right to act as the democratically elected representative of students.

Carried

26 Say her name: Justice for Sarah Reed - Halesowen College

Congress condemns the tragic death this year of Sarah Reed. Sarah, a young black woman, developed mental health issues after having to transport her dead baby in a taxi and was later assaulted by a police officer. At the time of her death she was severely ill but held in custody rather than psychiatric care, where she reportedly killed herself.

Sarah's death is not isolated but one of a series of incidents in which black people are harmed or killed by the authorities. We call on the union to:

1. affiliate with and provide financial and practical support to the Justice for Sarah campaign
2. act as radical educators by raising noise about this incident and the pattern of racist and misogynistic institutionalised abuse it falls into in our institutions
3. call branch and regional meetings to organise around this issue, and invite speakers from the campaign to these meetings.

Carried

Campaigning for equality (equality reps), paragraph 3.2

27 Supporting equality reps - National Executive Committee

Congress congratulates UCU on its equality reps training courses which take place in most regions and the devolved nations every year. The role of the equality rep is critical in ensuring equality issues are progressed and included in bargaining, negotiations, campaigning and recruitment. UCU is committed to equality reps being equipped with the knowledge and skills that will enhance their confidence and experience in taking equality priorities forward.

Congress calls upon the NEC to organise an annual day conference for equality reps focusing on the wide range of UCU equality work, including improving the participation of members from equality groups, understanding the key tools for working collectively on equality issues and progressing equality locally. It will be an opportunity to discuss current campaigns such as Carers at work, negotiating reasonable adjustments for disabled members, challenging sexual and racial harassment in the workplace and developing workplace policies that support trans members.

Carried

28 Grant access to the equality conference for ALL equality reps - Northumbria University

Equality is at the heart of the union and the role of the equality rep is one that should be upheld and supported throughout the organisation of UCU.

The equality conference is a chance to share experiences and explore equality issues in a safe environment and to examine ways to push equality up the agenda in the work places yet many equality officers are excluded from participating fully in the conference due to the lack of self-identifying protected characteristics.

Congress resolves to:

Grant the automatic right of full participation in the conference to equality reps without the need to self-identify as having a protected characteristic.

Lost

Campaigning for equality (treatment of refugees), paragraph 3.8

29 Treatment of refugees with protected characteristics - National Executive Committee

Congress deplores the current asylum system based on deporting as many asylum seekers as possible and, in particular the insensitive treatment given to many asylum seekers with protected characteristics. 

Congress agrees to campaign with other trade unions, NUS and community groups for:

1. real rather than theoretical recognition of violence and discrimination based on gender, LGBT or disability status and the need to access medical treatment or disability support as a reason for asylum
2. gender, LGBT and disability equality training for all immigration personnel, including NHS assessors
3. improved accessibility, including through the use of reasonable adjustments, of the asylum process to disabled asylum seekers
4. women asylum seekers to be interviewed by women
5. accessible and safe housing for all asylum seekers, particularly those with equality characteristics
6. appropriate, fully confidential and linguistically and otherwise accessible counselling, support groups and other treatment for asylum seekers and refugees with mental health issues.

Carried

30 Disability and refugees - Disabled Members' Standing Committee

Congress notes that the European refugee crisis far exceeds that after World War Two. There is little recognition of the incidence of disability among refugees.

In September 2015, the German Chamber of Psychotherapists warned that at least half of refugees arriving in Germany suffer from trauma-related mental distress. A study of older Syrian refugees found that 60% had hypertension, 47% reported walking difficulties and 24% vision loss.

The government's attempts to scapegoat disabled people and migrants increases both groups isolation and victimisation. The increase in hate crimes against both refugees and disabled people is directly attributable to Government policies and media campaigns.

Congress resolves to:

1. intensify its campaign against the scapegoating of refugees and disabled people
2. develop a briefing to assist branches in supporting disabled refugees, student and staff to know their rights, and to challenge inflammatory statements in the media
3. ensure campaigns involve and include disabled people's organisations.

Carried as amended

30A.1 Disabled Members' Standing Committee

After 'media campaigns' at end of third paragraph add:

'Congress also celebrates Iain Duncan Smith's resignation. We congratulate groups such as Disabled People Against Cuts for their role in this victory. Their relentless campaigning has helped to publicise the true impact of cuts in disability-related benefits and services, and to make these politically unacceptable.

Congress further recognises how a weak government can be forced to withdraw its attacks through campaigns which draw their strength from identifying as part of a wider movement.'

Carried

Substantive motion

Congress notes that the European refugee crisis far exceeds that after World War Two. There is little recognition of the incidence of disability among refugees.

In September 2015, the German Chamber of Psychotherapists warned that at least half of refugees arriving in Germany suffer from trauma-related mental distress. A study of older Syrian refugees found that 60% had hypertension, 47% reported walking difficulties and 24% vision loss.

The government's attempts to scapegoat disabled people and migrants increases both groups isolation and victimisation. The increase in hate crimes against both refugees and disabled people is directly attributable to Government policies and media campaigns. 

Congress also celebrates Iain Duncan Smith's resignation. We congratulate groups such as Disabled People Against Cuts for their role in this victory. Their relentless campaigning has helped to publicise the true impact of cuts in disability-related benefits and services, and to make these politically unacceptable.

Congress further recognises how a weak government can be forced to withdraw its attacks through campaigns which draw their strength from identifying as part of a wider movement.

Congress resolves to:

1. intensify its campaign against the scapegoating of refugees and disabled people
2. develop a briefing to assist branches in supporting disabled refugees, student and staff to know their rights, and to challenge inflammatory statements in the media
3. ensure campaigns involve and include disabled people's organisations.

Equality for disabled members, paragraph 5

31 Bullying, harassment and mental health conditions and issues - Disabled Members' Standing Committee

Congress notes:

1. bullying and harassment can trigger or exacerbate anxiety, depression and stress for members, especially those with mental health conditions and issues
2. disabled members are at a significant disadvantage with bullying as regards work overload, deadlines, and timed responses to redundancy exercises
3. staff increasingly bullied do not negotiate time off for important medical appointments and fear to disclose their disability
4. a workplace where bullying and harassment are recognised and discouraged is beneficial for all.

Congress calls on the NEC to:

1. call on institutions to take action on the effects of bullying on disabled staff, and for reasonable adjustments to be made for deadlines and any teaching assessment
2. seek examples of good and bad practice in post-16 education and publicise them
3. offer advice to branches to encourage employers to establish or maintain a work environment that is free from bullying and harassment.

Carried as amended

31A.1 LGBT Members' Standing Committee

Add new point 2 and renumber:

'LGBT people have the highest suicide rates and levels of mental health issues and may also be subjected to harassment and bullying which exacerbates this. They may also be less likely to report it.'

Add new point d:

'Ensure that any actions taken to reduce the effects of harassment and bullying take into account the sensitivities concerned in relation to LGBT members.'

Carried

31A.2 Disabled Members' Standing Committee

Add at end of paragraph 'calls on the NEC to' add:

'd. highlight and publicise campaigns by branches where members face bullying or where reasonable adjustments to timetables, workload and other policies and procedures are withheld or refused.'

Carried

31A.3 Women Members' Standing Committee

Add at end:

'd. to organise a national "no harassment here" day of action alongside NUS and other campus unions if possible.'

Carried

Substantive motion

Congress notes:

1. bullying and harassment can trigger or exacerbate anxiety, depression and stress for members, especially those with mental health conditions and issues
2. LGBT people have the highest suicide rates and levels of mental health issues and may also be subjected to harassment and bullying which exacerbates this. They may also be less likely to report it
3. disabled members are at a significant disadvantage with bullying as regards work overload, deadlines, and timed responses to redundancy exercises
4. staff increasingly bullied do not negotiate time off for important medical appointments and fear to disclose their disability
5. a workplace where bullying and harassment are recognised and discouraged is beneficial for all.

Congress calls on the NEC to:

1. call on institutions to take action on the effects of bullying on disabled staff, and for reasonable adjustments to be made for deadlines and any teaching assessment
2. seek examples of good and bad practice in post-16 education and publicise them
3. offer advice to branches to encourage employers to establish or maintain a work environment that is free from bullying and harassment
4. ensure that any actions taken to reduce the effects of harassment and bullying take into account the sensitivities concerned in relation to LGBT members
5. highlight and publicise campaigns by branches where members face bullying or where reasonable adjustments to timetables, workload and other policies and procedures are withheld or refused
6. to organise a national 'no harassment here' day of action alongside NUS and other campus unions if possible.

Equality for LGBT members, paragraph 6

32 Developing gender identity and sexual orientation equality - LGBT Members' Standing Committee

Congress is concerned about existing high levels of transphobic and homophobic bullying across all post-school education as evidenced in the Forum report 'Pride and Prejudice in Education' and the House of Commons report 'Transgender Equality' (2016). Congress believes that more must be done to support LGBT learners and staff and redress the notable lack of specific training in these equality areas.

Congress welcomes the UCU sexual orientation and gender identity training and calls on UCU to:

1. prominently promote this training and the role of reps in supporting people who experience discrimination in these equality areas
2. work with branches to ensure that action is taken in institutions to address the Forum and House of Commons report recommendations, including a survey of sexual orientation and gender identity equality work
3. develop member engagement work such as regional networks and participation in events to disseminate research and develop sexual orientation and gender identity equality.

Carried

Equality for women members, paragraph 7

33 Adopting a gender perspective in UCU - UCU Scotland Executive

It is crucially important that women have equal access to representation and influence and the union is seen as a positive force for gender equality. To this end, Congress asks the NEC to consider a gender perspective throughout the work of the union and specifically to consult with the female membership to identify issues of concern for them and examples of good practice in this area. Similarly, Congress asks the NEC to examine gender disaggregated figures for union membership with a view to increasing women's representation. Furthermore, Congress asks the NEC to consider the gendered nature and impact of the work of the union in its broader activities, for example, the over representation of women on casual contracts.

Carried

Equality for women members (parents at work), paragraph 7.2

34 Parents at work - National Executive Committee

Congress welcomes the introduction of shared parental leave that finally acknowledges the parenting rights of the other parent. Yet, Congress notes the recent publication of the Equality and Human Rights survey of employers and mothers on pregnancy and maternity related discrimination and disadvantage.

The report states:

1. 1 in 5 women, the equivalent to 100,000 a year, have been verbally harassed by their employers or workmates
2. 1 in 9 working mothers were dismissed, made compulsory redundant or treated so badly they had to leave.

Parents also face a lack of access to appropriate childcare in terms of affordability and availability. Those on precarious or fixed term contracts are more disadvantaged in access to pregnancy and maternity rights as well as flexible childcare.

Congress calls on the NEC to survey members in order to develop a coherent policy and negotiating toolkit which includes all aspects of parenting to support parents at work.

Carried

Equality for women members (sexual harassment), paragraph 7.3

35 Sexual harassment - Women Members' Standing Committee

Congress notes with extreme concern the findings of the recent UCU survey on sexual harassment.

Congress agrees that there are probable links between these findings and 'lad culture'/marketization/commodification of education/racism/Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination.

Congress agrees to urgently communicate with members on this and to:

1. campaign vigorously to ensure that every region and branch holds an equality event in order to send out our 'No sexual harassment here' message to members and non-members
2. organise training for branch officers and reps
3. produce a range of posters and stickers to be used in all UCU workplaces
4. take a prevention is better than cure approach
5. ensure that campaigns and support are inclusive of all women and attentive to the specific experiences and needs women may have in relation to ethnicity, disability and religion/belief.

Carried