51¸£Àû

51¸£Àû/1074a, First report of the Congress Business Committee, Congress 2021

Original text of motions composited – Congress

 

Composite motion ROC8

C1ÌýÌýÌýÌý Press coverage and representation of all members at national level Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee

Congress notes that:

1.     during the pandemic, 51¸£Àû has achieved more press coverage for pre-92 HE than other sectors (post-92/FE/Adult/Prison Education) over issues that affect all of education;

2.     reps in some sectors have, at times, felt that they do not have the backing of the union at national level.

This is symptomatic of a view of 51¸£Àû as a union for pre-92 universities only.Ìý Other sectors are a minority in 51¸£Àû but we must be a united union.ÌýÌýÌý

Issues caused by government policy require a national position and action.

We call on 51¸£Àû to:

a.     focus on all sectors in national policy and action;

b.     include all sectors in press releases;

c.     make regular public statements on government policy for all sectors;

d.     develop a plan to enhance the profile of its work in all sectors;

e.     campaign for the principle of, and funding for, lifelong learning in this post-pandemic world.

C2ÌýÌýÌýÌý Not just a lecturer’s union, but a union for all Academic related, professional staff committee

Congress recognises the wide, diverse membership of 51¸£Àû and that all members from all sectors and staff groups deserve equal representation and visibility.

Congress notes:

1.     51¸£Àû’s respect for the work and recognition agreements of unions active in our sector.

2.     Media coverage tends to focus on lecturers which erases other membership groups in HE (including ARPS), FE, Prison Ed and ACE. 

Congress resolves to:

a.     Counter the media narrative, ensuring all press releases are fully inclusive.

b.     Check all nation all member communications are written in a way which include all sectors.

c.     Develop national strategies to raise the profile of all 51¸£Àû sectors and staff groups.

d.     Develop and implement a national ‘not just a lecturers’ union’ campaign.

e.     Change standard practice on communications and on the website to reflect the diversity of the membership ensuring that Academics are not always at the forefront of literature or webpages.

Composite motion ROC13

C3ÌýÌýÌýÌý 51¸£Àû Climate Motion 2021ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý University of Hull

Conference recognises that the move to a zero-carbon economy has huge implications for the jobs of 51¸£Àû members. Job creation and the measures needed to meet climate targets mean this should be a central focus for 51¸£Àû strategy. We call upon the NEC to:

1.     Support the COP26 coalition. Mobilise for Glasgow and G7 events by supporting branches taking climate solidarity action with students, unions, and campaign organisations

2.     Review 51¸£Àû activity and infrastructure and draw up a plan for the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions with a report on progress to the 2022 conference

3.     Review all 51¸£Àû training programmes and Branch guidance to ensure that the appointment of Green Reps and Green New Deal (GND) bargaining is referenced.

4.     Provide guidance to branches on engagement with local and regional authorities around green jobs and skills

5.     Establish a Climate Action Network with a formal role in 51¸£Àû structure.

C4ÌýÌýÌýÌý COP26 and Zero Carbon EconomyÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý London retired members

Conference recognises that a zero-carbon economy has huge implications for the jobs of 51¸£Àû members. Job creation and measures needed to meet climate targets must be a central focus for 51¸£Àû strategy. We call upon the NEC to:

1.     Support the COP26 coalition. Mobilise for Glasgow and G7 events by supporting branches climate solidarity action with students, unions, and campaign organisations

2.     Review 51¸£Àû activity and infrastructure and draw up a plan for the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions with a progress report to the 2022 conference

3.     Review all 51¸£Àû training programmes and Branch guidance to ensure that the appointment of Green Reps and Green New Deal (GND) bargaining is referenced.

4.     Provide guidance to branches on engagement with local and regional authorities around green jobs and skills

5.     Establish a Climate Action Network with a formal role in 51¸£Àû structure

6.     Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill Alliance.

C5 COP26 Coalition ÌýÌýÌýÌý National executive committee

The COP26 talks in Glasgow in November 2021 come at a crucial time. According to a recent report by the Environment Agency, climate change is hitting the 'worst case scenario'. This means hotter temperatures, more extreme weather conditions, drought, famine, ecosystem destruction, biodiversity loss and much more. And as always it will be communities in the Global South who feel the worst impacts.

While we welcome any action to deal with the climate crisis, we need to beware false solutions that focus on the market or billionaires to rescue us. That is why the mobilisations for the COP26 - in Glasgow and in local towns and cities - are crucial. And it is important that trade unions are at the heart of these mobilisations, calling for climate justice, a just transformation for workers and one million climate jobs.

We support these mobilisations and the work done by the COP26 coalition.

C6 COP 26 Climate ChangeÌýÌý Croydon College

Congress notes COP26 will take place in Glasgow in November.

Believes:

1.     The IPCC 2018 Special Report has warned of the dire consequences of exceeding 1.5ºC global average warming.

2.     to avoid this global carbon emissions must be halved by 2030.

3.     We need to mobilise for a just transition which protects and improves workers’ livelihoods, creates a more inclusive society and stops greenhouse gas emissions.

4.     We face a global and UK crisis of unemployment; tackling the Covid-19 pandemic represents an ideal opportunity to invest in climate jobs.

5.     The UK government continues to back false solutions like carbon markets and block the transformational changes which are necessary.

Resolves:

a.     To encourage branches to join the COP26 Coalition.

b.     To join and support the national mobilisations and protests that take place leading up to and during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021.

C7ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Zero-carbon economy - job creationÌýÌý University of Manchester

Congress notes the importance of the passing of resolutions 39 and 40 and the urgent need to build on this Ìý

Congress believes that the move to a zero-carbon economy has huge implications for the jobs of 51¸£Àû members. Job creation in the FHE sector and the measures needed to meet climate targets mean this should be a central focus for 51¸£Àû strategy.

We call upon the Congress to:

1.ÌýÌý Establish a national Climate Action Network with a formal role in 51¸£Àû structure

2.ÌýÌý Review all 51¸£Àû training programmes and Branch guidance to ensure that the appointment of Green Reps and Green New Deal (GND) bargaining is referenced.

Composite motion SFC5

C8ÌýÌýÌýÌý Financial disclosure and transparencyÌýÌý Southern regional committee

Congress notes:

1.     that part of the business of the union involves expenditure of money;

2.     the health of union democracy is best served through transparency; and,

3.     Which has caused debate within 51¸£Àû and the media.

Congress resolves that:

a.     for, and be involved in, expenditure decisions relating to:

                          i.    Redundancy payments or other non-standard payments to 51¸£Àû employees.

                        ii.    Membership levies.

                       iii.    Consultancy contracts.

b.     The honorary treasurer will report such expenditure to NEC as soon as possible before it has been incurred.

C9ÌýÌýÌýÌý Financial disclosure and transparencyÌýÌý University of Leeds

Congress notes the series of issues relating to expenditure, some of which have caused debate within 51¸£Àû and the media, including £400k of expenditure for a former General Secretary which was subject of a non-disclosure agreement.

Congress resolves that:

1.    51¸£Àû National Executive Committee (NEC) must be provided with proposals for, and be involved in, expenditure decisions relating to:

a.  Redundancy payments or other non-standard payments to 51¸£Àû employees

b.   Membership levies

c.   Consultancy contracts

2.    The honorary treasurer will report such expenditure to NEC as soon as possible before it has been incurred.

Composite motion SFC20

C10 China, Hong Kong and the Uyghurs: solidarity, peace, and democracyÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý University of Cambridge

51¸£Àû believes in political and economic democracy. China’s authoritarian state represents neither.

Uyghurs and other majority-Muslim peoples in Xinjiang China suffer genocidal persecution and forced labour through Chinese government policy.

Supported by British colonial-era anti-union and anti-democratic laws, the Chinese state is repressing Hong Kong’s democracy movement and using a recently imposed National Security Law to arrest and charge activists.

Independent trade unions are prohibited under China’s Trade Union Law, allowing employers to ignore workers’ rights, often with impunity.

Congress calls on our branches, NEC and General Secretary to:

1.     Build solidarity with labour organisers, feminist activists, human rights defenders, and others struggling to uphold their rights in China;

2.     Demand the release of political prisoners and repeal of Hong Kong’s National Security Law;

3.     Demand supply chain audits, and cut ties with Xinjiang rights abuses;

4.     Resist increasing Sinophobia and those who appropriate support for democracy to promote a New Cold War.

C11 Xinjiang and Chinese government oppression of the UighursÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Liverpool John Moores University

Congress resolves to issue a statement and initiate a campaign in support of the Uighur population of Xinjiang, calling for the Chinese government to end the on-going forced mass imprisonment, alleged sterilisation, indoctrination, torture and oppression of the Uighur people.

Original text of motions composited – FE sector conference

Composite motion FE25

C12ÌýÌý Network for Black Members in Prison EducationÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Novus prison education

This conference notes:Ìý

1. For a long time the voices of Black members have been silenced through fear and bullying throughout society but especially so within the prison system.Ìý
2. That there is a lack of diversity within our prison education systemÌý

3.   The 51¸£Àû response to the Education Select Committee Inquiry which made recommendations as to how a revised and decolonised curriculum could go towards addressing the differential outcomes experienced by black and other ethnic minority groups in prison populations.ÌýÌý

This conference resolves:Ìý

a.  To support the creation of prison education network for black and brown members which will provide a safe space to express their thoughts and feelings, raising issues of systemic racism within prison educationÌý

b.  The network will support members to engage in the democratic process of 51¸£Àû and link to the BMSC.Ìý

c.  The network will also work with branches to hold prison education providers to account and embed anti-racist practice.Ìý

C13ÌýÌý Black prison educatorsÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Black members standing committee

Conference notes that black educators in prison face intimidation at work. The experience of black workers in the sector is exacerbated by the fact that the prison education workforce does not reflect the learners or the wider community.

Conference believes that black workers in prison education are entitled to a work environment that is free from bullying and discrimination.

Conference resolves to:

1. Build support networks for black members in prison education
2. Establish clear links for black prison educators to access regional self-organised black networks
3. Support the work of the 51¸£Àû Black Members’ Standing Committee in liaising with black prison educators

Original text of motions composited – HE sector conference

Composite motion HE7

C14ÌýÌý Support for branches pursuing the model claimÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Academic related, professional staff committee

HESC notes:

1. the development of a draft model claim for branches on ARPS.
2. that pursuing the claim under current circumstances represents a significant challenge for already stretched branches.

HESC instructs HEC to ensure that:

1. all relevant 51¸£Àû national and regional structures should support branches and ARPS members to pursue the claim via template campaign plans including data and information requests, and regular, ongoing support for negotiators within branches.
2. facilitating communications between ARPS reps & members and the ARPS committee should be a priority work area.

C15ÌýÌý Wage Theft of ARPS StaffÌýÌýÌýÌý University of Liverpool

Conference notes:

1.   The work of the ARPS committee and ARPS members in branches.

2.   The development of a draft model claim for ARPS members and the challenges in pursuing this claim for branches that are already facing significant challenges.

3.   The erosion of terms and conditions for ARPS members by employers.

Conference resolves to:

a.    Ensure support and resource is provided to branches via template campaign plans including data and information requests.

b.    Develop a coordinated campaign in support of the model claim for branches that is centred around wage theft and pay inequality.

Composite motion HE10

C16ÌýÌý Defend USSÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Newcastle University

HESC condemns:

1.    The unnecessary valuation during Covid

2.    USS’s valuation proposals giving likely member contributions of 13.6-18.6%

3.    UUK proposals to slash benefits and a lower value scheme for casualised and lower paid members.

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý HESC believes:

a.  Current benefits can be maintained at 26% total contributions.

b.  Very high member opt-outs due to soaring costs or slashed benefits could lead to USS closure.

HESC mandates negotiators to maintain current benefits at very close to 8% member costs.

HESC mandates HEC to:

                i.   implement multi-pronged strategy to defend USS.

               ii.   call on employers to (i) withdraw proposals for benefit reductions and worse benefits for lower paid members and (ii) put pressure on USS to modify valuation approach to give total costs of 26%

              iii.   otherwise to call a ballot for industrial action to start at the start of the autumn term and involve strikes and action short of a strike

C17ÌýÌý Condemn the USS valuation, defend USSÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Northern regional HE sector committee

HESC condemns:

1. The unnecessary valuation during Covid;
2. USS’s valuation proposals giving likely member contributions of 13.6 - 18.6%;

3.   UUK proposals to slash benefits and a lower value scheme for casualised and lower paid members.

HESC believes:

1. Current benefits can be maintained at 26% total contributions;

b.    Very high member opt-outs due to soaring costs or slashed benefits could lead to USS closure.

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý HESC mandates negotiators to:

       i.       maintain current benefits at very close to 8% member costs.

HESC mandates HEC to:

1. Implement a multi-pronged strategy to defend USS;
2. Call on employers to (i) withdraw proposals for benefit reductions and worse benefits for lower paid members and (ii) put pressure on USS to modify the valuation approach to give total costs of 26%;

C.   Otherwise to call a ballot for industrial action which involves strikes and action short of a strike.

Composite motion HE13

C18ÌýÌý Initiating legal action on USSÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Lancaster University

HESC notes:

1.     USS's proposed 2020 Covid valuation risks members' contributions rising to 14-20%. 

2.     Academics for Pension Justice’s QC opinion that there are good grounds for taking legal action against USS on breach of trust.

HESC believes:

a.     There is an urgent need to defend USS.

b.     What happens to USS will probably affect all DB schemes, including those in post-92 and FE, and members of the wider trade union movement.

HESC instructs Strategy and Finance Committee to:

                i.       Take immediate steps to initiate urgent legal action, e.g. to delay current and overturn previous valuations and replace them by a better process.  This will require obtaining legal advice on the most appropriate forms of legal action. 

               ii.       Actively involve the 51¸£Àû Superannuation Working Group (minus directors) and include them in the legally privileged group with access to the legal advice.

C19ÌýÌý Initiating legal action on USSÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý University of Glasgow

HESC notes:

1. USS’s proposed Covid valuation risks members’ contributions rising to 13.6-18.6%

2. Academics for Pension Justice QC opinion of USS breach of trust.

HESC believes:

a. There is an urgent need to defend USS

b. What happens to USS will probably affect all DB schemeS and therefore post-92 and FE members and members of the wider trade union movement

HESC agrees that legal action is an appropriate means of defending USS and should be initiated as soon as possible.

HESC instructs HEC to:

i.Ìý Take steps to immediately initiate legal action very quickly eg. to delay the current and overturn previous valuations and replace them by a better process. This will require obtaining legal advice on the most appropriate forms of legal action.

ii. Actively involve the SWG minus directors and endeavour to get them included in the legally privileged group and given access to the legal advice.