51¸£Àû

51¸£Àû/1081ÌýÌý 30 April 2021Ìý

University and College Union

Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH, Tel. 020 7756 2500, www.ucu.org.uk

ToÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Branch and local association secretaries

TopicÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Unconfirmed minutes of 51¸£Àû annual Congress 2019

ActionÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý For information; for adoption at Congress 2021

Summary ÌýÌýÌýÌý Minutes of the Congress meeting held 25 - 27 May 2019ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

 

Meeting of the Congress of the University and College Union (51¸£Àû)

25 – 27 May 2019, Harrogate Convention Centre

FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS, SATURDAY MORNING, 25 MAY

1                OPENING BUSINESS

1.1        Vicky Knight, president and chair of Congress, welcomed delegates, and addressed Congress.

1.2        The chair proposed a suspension of standing orders to reduce speaking times to three minutes for movers of motions and two minutes for all other speakers.Ìý The proposal was CARRIED.

1.3        Congress appointed those regional officials and regional support officials of the union present to act as tellers.

2            REPORT OF THE CONGRESS BUSINESS COMMITTEE

2.1        Alan Barker (University of Nottingham), chair of the Congress business committee (CBC), moved the second (51¸£Àû/957) and third (51¸£Àû/957B) reports of the Congress business committee.Ìý

2.2        Dave Muritu (NEC) moved that motion L7 be ordered onto the Congress agenda, rather than the agenda of the FE sector conference. The proposal was CARRIED.Ìý

2.3        Saladin Meckled-Garcia (University College London) moved that amendment HE6A.1 be reinstated as an amendment to motion HE5, as originally submitted.Ìý The proposal was LOST.Ìý

2.4        Lesley McGorrigan (Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee) moved that B14 (part of an amendment submitted to motion 75) be ordered onto the agenda as the final clause of amendment 75A.1, as originally submitted. ÌýPaul Cottrell, national head of democratic services, clarified legal advice received by the union: if the motion was amended by B14, the president would declare the motion null and void and it would not be implemented as a boycott of Israeli academics and academic institutions would be illegal. The proposal was CARRIED.

2.5        Deepa Govindarajan Driver (University of Reading) moved that motion B5 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.6        John Parrington (University of Oxford) moved that motion B2 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.7        Ann Swinney (University of Dundee) moved that amendment B16 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.8        Shereen Benjamin (University of Edinburgh) moved that the first paragraph of amendment 21A.1 should not be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.9        J Hibbertgreaves (University of Sheffield International College) moved that motion B6 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was CARRIED.

2.10     Elaine White (NEC) moved that motion B17 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.11     James Brackley (University of Birmingham) moved that motion B15 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.12     Norman Jemison (Northern retired members branch) moved that motion B11 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was LOST.

2.13     The reports of the Congress business committee were ADOPTED.

3            ADOPTION OF CONGRESS MINUTES

3.1        The minutes of Congress, 30 May-1 June 2018, set out in 51¸£Àû/940 were ADOPTED.

3.2        The minutes of special Congress, 18 October 2018, set out in 51¸£Àû/941 were ADOPTED.

4            SECTION 1: BUSINESS OF THE EQUALITY COMMITTEE

4.1        Motion 1, Equal and just learning spaces, was moved by Rhiannon Lockley (NEC) on behalf of the West Midlands regional committee and seconded formally.

Motion 1 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.      the recent attempted prioritisation of the educational access of students found to have engaged in racism and misogyny at Warwick University over safe educational spaces for those targeted

2.      the disciplinary action at Lancaster University against a black female student whistleblowing on racist and misogynistic activity amongst fellow students

3.      the broader environment across our sectors whereby members and students continue to face institutional barriers of the identification of students as consumers and institutions as corporations in our fight for equal, just learning spaces.

Congress resolves:

a.        to develop themed learning week resources to promote consent and bodily agency, along with developing and sharing of best practice in holding institutions to account

b.        to demand institutions engage with 51¸£Àû to review policies and practices on discrimination and harassment

c.        to continue to build our fight against harassment in all forms in our institutions.

4.2        Motion 2, Mental health reps and training, was moved formally and spoken to by Andy Shaw (observer, West Midlands regional committee) on behalf of the Disabled members’ standing committee and seconded by Chiara Vassell (Croydon College).Ìý Christina Paine (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 2 was CARRIED:

Congress applauds the development of the Mental Health Charter.

Congress notes:

1.      that non specialist staff are increasingly asked to support students with mental health needs despite minimal training and resources

2.      management seldom recognise and rarely meet the needs of staff with mental health conditions. This often leaves union reps to provide support.

3.      the stress of unreasonable workloads and bullying at work is causing mental health difficulties for post 16 education workers.

Congress believes:

a.    colleges and universities must provide sufficient counselling and mental health support for staff and students

b.    51¸£Àû supported mental health first aid training can be helpful for our reps in supporting members with mental health conditions, but is not a resource for our management who must provide suitable workplace support and reasonable adjustments.

Congress resolves:

                i.       to step up campaigning for sufficient mental health support

              ii.       to organise MH training for reps as part of the MH charter.

4.3        Motion 3, LGBT+ mental health, was moved by Steve Boyce (NEC) on behalf of the LGBT+ members’ standing committee and seconded formally.

Motion 3 was CARRIED:

This Congress recognises that mental health is under-recognised, under-reported, under-diagnosed and under-funded.

The LGBT+ communities are disproportionately affected by mental health issues. LGBT+ young people are four times more likely to self-harm, whilst, tragically, suicide attempts are three times that of heterosexuals. In many suicides, the sexual orientation or gender identity are not recorded. Congress supports positive teaching of LGBT+ lives and issues at all levels of education. This is a particular concern in FE and HE, when students are often exploring and questioning their sexual and gender identity.

Congress calls upon 51¸£Àû to:

1.        raise awareness of LGBT+ mental health issues by organising an event specifically addressing this topic

2.        support LGBT+ members with their mental health needs, diagnosis and care

3.        campaign for better mental health care for all 51¸£Àû members

4.        campaign for better mental health funding for all, particularly those with protected characteristics, who are often marginalised by society.

4.4        Motion 4, The far right on campus, was moved by Julie Hearn (NEC) and seconded by Nita Sanghera (vice-president).

Amendment 4.1 was moved and seconded formally:

Add new sentence after the first paragraph, adding, 'Congress notes the shocking comments by UKIP EU candidate Carl Benjamin on rape of children and that he "wouldn't even rape" Labour MP Jess Phillips, comments defended by UKIP leader Gerald Batten.’

In 'Resolves..' , add new bullet points:

'4. To support and send women's committee delegates to the Stand Up to Racism international conference on 19 October'.

'5. To support the Stand Up to Racism UN anti-racism day demos, now co-ordinated globally, in London, Cardiff and Glasgow in March 2020'.

Marian Mayer (Bournemouth University) and John Parrington (University of Oxford) spoke in the debate.

Amendment 4A.1 was CARRIED. Motion 4, as amended, was CARRIED:

The far-right are attempting to take their message of racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism onto university and college campuses. Congress notes the shocking comments by UKIP EU candidate Carl Benjamin on rape of children and that he "wouldn't even rape" Labour MP Jess Phillips, comments defended by UKIP leader Gerald Batten.

The far-right group 'Generation Identity' has now appeared on over 20 campuses, stickering and holding stunts and meetings. Their activities have included trolling and online threats and harassment against Nita Sanghera, 51¸£Àû VP.

Congress expresses solidarity with Nita and other targets of far-right harassment and resolves:

1.   to work with NUS, other campus unions and anti-racist groups like Stand Up To Racism to oppose the threat of Nazi, racist and fascist ideas on campus by organising a 'Nazis Off Our Campuses' campaign

2.   to organise a national tour alongside Stand Up To Racism, other antiracist campaigns, and sister campus unions promoting events at colleges and universities to highlight the growth of the far right

3.   to develop anti-racist materials aimed at exposing the far right to staff and students

4.   to support and send women's committee delegates to the Stand Up to Racism international conference on 19 October

5.   to support the Stand Up to Racism UN anti-racism day demos, now co-ordinated globally, in London, Cardiff and Glasgow in March 2020.

4.5        Motion 5, Late motion on Brexit-UKIP, was moved by Margot Hill (NEC) and was seconded by Saira Weiner (Liverpool John Moores University).Ìý

Elane Heffernan (NEC), Anne Alexander (University of Cambridge) and Marc Bueher (Cardiff University), spoke in the debate.

Andrew Chitty (Sussex University) proposed a drafting amendment: in the last sentence replace ’UKIP’ with ‘all far right parties’ which was CARRIED.

Motion 5, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress believes:

whatever members' views on Brexit, it is clear that Theresa May's government has made an utter mess of the Brexit process.

with the EU election process having been triggered there is a great danger that the racist and even fascist right will seek to take advantage of any 'Brexit betrayal'.

Congress notes that UKIP has now aligned with far-right figures including fascist activist Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) and the street thugs of the Democratic Football Lads Alliance.

Congress calls on the NEC to consult on whether 51¸£Àû is able to use its political fund to help finance campaigns against all far right parties in future elections.

4.6        Motion 6, Racism and Refugees, was moved formally and spoken to by Gholam Khiabany (observer, London regional committee), and seconded formally.

Amendment 6A.1 was moved by Alistair Mactaggart (Chesterfield College) on behalf of the East Midlands regional committee and seconded formally:

Add in the fourth paragraph after 'like the': 'Stand Up to Racism and'; add, after '16 March': 'supported by the TUC'.

Add new paragraph: 'Congress resolves to support and promote the Stand Up To Racism international conference on Saturday 19 October and the Stand Up To Racism UN anti-racism day protests planned for March 2020.'

Amendment 6A.1 was CARRIED. Motion 6, as amended, was CARRIED:

‘The Tories have tried to use the scapegoating of refugees as a method to deflect from their Brexit crisis.

The far right are also trying to make gains from the crisis.

Whether you voted leave or remain we have to unite against racism and the growth of the far right.

Congress resolves to build the widest support for future demonstrations like the Stand Up to Racism and Unite Against Racism and Fascism demonstration on 16 March supported by the TUC.

Congress resolves to support and promote the Stand Up To Racism international conference on Saturday 19 October and the Stand Up To Racism UN anti-racism day protests planned for March 2020.’

4.7        Motion L1, Membership of Alternative for Germany (AfD), was moved by Tom Armstrong (SOAS) and seconded formally.

Jo McNeil (NEC) and Elane Heffernan (NEC), spoke in the debate.

Motion L1 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.   a member of academic staff at SOAS is a candidate to be MEP for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the European elections.

2.   the disturbing growth of the far-right in the UK and in recent European elections.

3.   the AfD is widely recognised as a far-right, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, and reactionary party.

4.   the AfD promote policies that are at their core, homophobic, sexist including termination of gender studies and research.

Congress believes:

1. the AfD's views are utterly incompatible with basic values of equality, acceptance, and non-discrimination, and with universities' duty to ensure dignity and respect for all students and staff.
2. membership of extreme far-right parties such as the AfD are similarly incompatible with 51¸£Àû's values.

Congress resolves:

1. to campaign against extreme right-wing parties and their members within universities.
2. to strengthen 51¸£Àû rules on membership (e.g. rule 6.1.1) so that far-right parties such as the AfD are proscribed.

4.8        Motion 7, Citizenship rights and the hostile environment, was moved by Margot Hill (NEC) on behalf of Croydon College and seconded by Rhian Keyse (Anti-casualisation committee).

Motion 7 was CARRIED:

This Congress deplores the home secretary's decision to withdraw citizenship from Shamima Begum. The consequences of this decision may well have contributed to the death of her child in a refugee camp. Congress notes with outrage that the continuing questioning of citizenship of the Windrush generation and their offspring and the deportations that have flown from withdrawal of citizenship rights as a strategy for creating a hostile environment for migrants. Congress resolves to campaign for:

1. the right of Shamima Begum to retain her citizenship
2. the right of return for all Windrush deportees.

4.9        Motion 8, Stop the deportations now, was moved by David Muritu (NEC) and seconded formally.Ìý Chiara Vassell (Croydon College) and Yusuf Deeni (Abertay University), spoke in the debate.

Motion 8 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. the hostile environment policy advanced by Theresa May as Home Secretary and accelerated under her premiership.
2. the relentless tide of deportations of the Windrush generation and the failure to end or reverse this after broken promises from the current government.
3. the devastating impact this has had and the commitment of 51¸£Àû as trade unionists and internationalists to stand in solidarity with members, their families and our communities.

Congress resolves:

1. to invite Windrush speakers to regional and branch meetings.
2. to develop solidarity networks to support the resistance of deportations.
3. to demand the government end the hostile environment and all deportations.

4.10     Motion 9, Representation of migrants in 51¸£Àû structures, was moved by Dima Chami (University of Leeds) and seconded by Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield).

Amendment 9A.1 (NEC) was moved and seconded formally:

Add in Resolves section an additional point iv at the end: 'reaffirm 51¸£Àû's support for freedom of movement and promote support for freedom of movement on campuses and throughout the Labour and trade union movement.'

Cecily Blyther (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Marian Hersh (NEC) moved remittance of ‘resolves’ part ii which was seconded by Laura Loyola-Hernandez (University of Leeds).

Remittance of ‘resolves’ part ii of motion 9 was LOST.

Amendment 9A.1 was CARRIED. Motion 9, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.        migrants, defined as non-UK citizens, constitute a large demography within 51¸£Àû's membership.

2.        51¸£Àû's structures currently do not represent migrants, thereby leaving them vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, surveillance and other forms of oppression.

Congress believes:

a.        all workers should be treated equally independent of immigration status.

b.        racist and anti-migrant sentiments are fuelled by policies such as Hostile Environment and discourses surrounding Brexit.

c.        there should be no place for targeted racism and legal discrimination within our sector.

d.        only direct migrant representation can advance 51¸£Àû policy and organising strategies on matters specific to migrant members such as mobility rights, visa fees, NHS surcharge, social security.

Congress resolves to:

                i.          recognise migrant status as a protected characteristic under 51¸£Àû equality structures.

              ii.          implement rule changes necessary to ensure the representational gap is closed.

             iii.          ensure protection of migrant members is a priority for 51¸£Àû.

             iv.          reaffirm 51¸£Àû's support for freedom of movement and promote support for freedom of movement on campuses and throughout the Labour and trade union movement.

4.11     Motion 10, Financial and institutional support for migrant staff, was moved by Waseem Yaqoob (University of Cambridge) and seconded by Anne Alexander (University of Cambridge).

A point of information was raised by John James (Coleg Gwent Newport).

Motion 10 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.        migrants are an integral part of the UK university staff body, which is 30% non-UK.

2.        regular above-inflation increases in visa fees and related costs act as a form of double taxation on migrant staff.

3.        financial support and formal representation for migrant staff are deeply lacking across the sector.

Congress believes:

a.        direct migrant representation is needed to advance 51¸£Àû policy on matters specific to migrant members.

b.        standards set by the Universities of St Andrews and Sheffield show that our employers can and should take responsibility to redress punitive financial measures that affect migrant staff.

Congress resolves to:

1. create a migrant representative under the 51¸£Àû equality structures and implement rule changes to close the representational gap.
2. negotiate with the employers nationally for a gold standard across the sector on:

·         covering visa costs, NHS and indefinite leave to remain fees for staff and their dependants.

·         provision of dedicated HR support.

4.12     Motion 11, The Stansted 15: challenging the hostile environment, was moved by Lesley McGorrigan (Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee). Pura Ariza (NEC) and Nita Sanghera (vice-president) spoke in the debate.

Motion 11 was CARRIED:

Congress notes the case of the 'Stansted 15', activists who, in March 2017, used non-violent direct action - lying down in front of an aeroplane - to prevent a charter flight due to remove asylum seekers and other migrants to the UK from taking off.

As a result of this action, approximately 50 people due to be deported were able to remain in the UK to continue their legal cases. The activists themselves however have been charged with terror-related offences under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act. If found guilty, they face life sentences.

Congress believes that:

1.        the Stansted 15 acted with bravery, humanity and kindness.

2.        the government's decision to charge them with terror-related offences is politically motivated and is designed to reinforce its 'hostile environment for migrants'.

Congress resolves to send a message of solidarity to the Stansted 15 and to donate £1000 to their trial fund.

4.13     Motion 12, Stop the deportation of Bamidele Chika Agbakuribe, blind Nigerian student, was moved by Marian Hersh (NEC) and seconded formally.Ìý Carlo Morelli (NEC), Tim Wilson (University of Dundee) and Ann Gow (NEC), spoke in the debate.

Motion 12 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.    threatened deportation of Bamidele Chika Agbakuribe, a blind Nigerian student, and his family after the University of Dundee cancelled Bamidele's student status, postponed from 25 March to 5 June after campaign and local MSP's intervention.

2.    appeal submitted by Positive Action in Housing (PAIH)) against ending Bamidele's student status.

Congress calls for an end to his deportation and an agreed settlement with Dundee University.

Congress believes May's racist hostile environment and the Home Office Prevent agenda encourages institutional racism and makes international students vulnerable.

Congress resolves to:

a.        support Bamidele's right to stay in Scotland to complete his and his family's education.

b.        call on:

                       i.       Dundee University to reach an agreed settlement PAIH appeal.

                 ii.       Home Office to withdraw deportation order.

                iii.       Scottish government, and John Swinney MSP (education minister) to mediate between Dundee and PAIH to reach an agreed settlement with Bamidele.

4.14     Motion L2, Support Feyzi Ismail's claim for permanency, was moved by Tom Armstrong (SOAS) and seconded by Milly Williamson (Goldsmiths, University of London).

Motion L2 was CARRIED:

Congress expresses support for Feyzi Ismail, a Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, who has been employed on ten separate fixed-term contracts since 2011, including four successive 12-month contracts between 2014 and 2018.

Congress notes that her request for permanency has twice been turned down on the basis of "objective justifications" despite her engaging in the same work as permanent colleagues. On 20 May, her grievance hearing scheduled for 21 May was postponed because students were planning to organise a silent demonstration outside the hearing in her support.

Congress believes that this case:

1.        reflects a pattern whereby fixed-term contracts are used at the expense of the security and career development of fixed-term employees.

2.        raises questions about the use of "objective justifications" to deny permanency.

3.        is an issue of national significance for precarious and permanent staff. 

Congress resolves to demand that SOAS urgently hear her grievance and issue a full-time permanent contract.

SECOND SESSION OF CONGRESS, SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 25 MAY

5             ADDRESS BY INCOMING GENERAL SECREATRY

Dr Jo Grady, incoming General Secretary, addressed Congress.

6            REPORT OF THE CONGRESS BUSINESS COMMITTEE

6.1        Alan Barker, chair of the Congress business committee, moved the fourth report of the Congress business committee.Ìý Marian Mayer (Bournemouth University) moved that motion B18 be ordered onto the agenda.Ìý The proposal was CARRIED. The fourth report of the Congress business committee was ADOPTED.

 

7            SECTION 1: BUSINESS OF THE EQUALITY COMMITTEE CONTINUED

7.1        Motion 13, Accessibility for all, was moved by Elane Heffernan (NEC) on behalf of the disabled members’ standing committee and seconded by Marian Mayer (Bournemouth University).

Amendment 13A.1 was moved and seconded formally:

After bullet point 1 add:

2. that 51¸£Àû with input from disabled members sitting committee and disabled members produces guidelines for minimum and desirable accessibility standards and publicises to branches.

Original bullet points 2 and 3 then become bullets 3 and 4. Then add two new bullet 5 and 6 below:

5. that 51¸£Àû campaigns for removal of barriers of access to STEM, including abuse of health and safety and negative attitudes, publicises good practice and names and shames 'bad' institutions.

6. that 51¸£Àû publicises the DISC project 51¸£Àû Scotland is participating in and its recommendations and other outcomes when available.

Withdrawal of point 6 of amendment 13A.1 was proposed by Marion Hersh (NEC) and seconded formally. This was voted on separately and CARRIED.

Amendment 13A.1, as amended, was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 13, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress commends the excellent work undertaken by the Disabled Members Standing Committee, and the achievements of 51¸£Àû's Day of Action campaign. Congress notes disability discrimination on campuses and commends the current access campaign by 51¸£Àû University of Liverpool.

Congress also notes the hard work undertaken by 51¸£Àû event organisers. Notwithstanding the principled position 51¸£Àû takes on accessibility for workers, delegates to Congress, conferences and other 51¸£Àû events continue to encounter discrimination through lack of access. These issues affect those with seen and unseen disabilities.

Congress resolves:

1.   trained 51¸£Àû staff shall undertake accessibility site evaluations when organising national and regional events, and use only accessible venues.

2.   that 51¸£Àû with input from disabled members sitting committee and disabled members produces guidelines for minimum and desirable accessibility standards and publicises to branches.

3.   that 51¸£Àû provides resources to branches to tackle disability discrimination, including lack of accessibility.

4.   that 51¸£Àû lobbies parliament for a review of building regulations to ensure they meet the accessibility needs of disabled people.

5.   that 51¸£Àû campaigns for removal of barriers of access to STEM, including abuse of health and safety and negative attitudes, publicises good practice and names and shames 'bad' institutions.

7.2        Motion 14, Social model of disability, was moved by John James (Coleg Gwent Newport) and seconded formally.

Motion 14 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that the social model of disability was adopted by the United Nations through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which was ratified by the UK Government in 2009.

Congress further notes the excellent work done by the equality standing committee in producing toolkits supporting the social model of disability.

Congress believes that the social model of disability can reduce the possibility of discrimination within the workplace. Members with disabilities may be indirectly discriminated against when needing additional time off due to their impairments.

Congress calls upon branches:

1.   to seek that their institutions adopt the social model within its policies.

2.   raise awareness of the social model within its institutions and wider communities.

3.   to negotiate a separate disability leave section in their sickness absence policies.

7.3        Motion 15, No more excuses: Close the LGBT+ data gap, was moved by Ryan Prout (NEC) and seconded formally.

Motion 15 was CARRIED:

The National LGBT Survey (2018) demonstrated that prejudice against LGBT+ people exists at all levels of education. Effective data collection has potential to tackle this by making LGBT+ people a statistical reality with equality of social capital.

The higher education equality body (now HE Advance) said that 'Sexual orientation has not yet received the same degree of analytical attention as other protected characteristics such as gender, disability, age, and race/ethnicity' (2018). Its 2017 statistical report on HE staff equality examined sexual orientation in four tables; ethnicity was discussed in 43 tables and gender in 31 tables.

Congress calls on 51¸£Àû:

1.   to remind employers that their Public Sector Equality Duties require advancement of equality, and their ability to do this depends on good data.

2.   to promote the closure of the LGBT+ data gap for staff in post-16 education, and the need for intersectionality to be included in data collection.

7.4        Motion 16, Lyra McKee legacy. Lesley McGorrigan (Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee) requested that Sam Morecroft (observer, Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee) speak to the motion. This was CARRIED.

A point of information was raised about payment of the donation; it was clarified that the donation would be paid from 51¸£Àû general funds and not the political fund.

Motion 16 was CARRIED:

Congress:

1.        sends solidarity to the National Union of Journalists on the death of Lyra McKee, a journalist killed when doing her job, and condolences to her partner and family.

2.        congratulates trade unionists who organised protests after the killing. This reaction shows the mass of Northern Irish people do not want to return to political violence. Trade unionists in NI, like Lyra, courageously campaign against sectarianism, paramilitarism and repression.

3.        celebrates Lyra as a powerful advocate for LGBT+, civil, and human rights. Her journalistic work showed empathy with the marginalised, documenting how many have been left out in Northern Ireland's political process.

4.        notes Lyra, a young gay woman in NI, was denied the right to marry the person she loved. In honour of Lyra, Congress commits 51¸£Àû to do what is in our power to make equal marriage available in Northern Ireland.

5.        resolves to donate £500 to the GoFundMe Lyra legacy fund.

7.5        Motion 17, Gender based violence, was moved by Ann Gow (NEC) on behalf of 51¸£Àû Scotland and was seconded formally.

Motion 17 was CARRIED:

Congress notes and welcomes the work of 51¸£Àû, NUS, the Scottish Government and higher education institutions promoting action against gender based violence in Scottish HE and the work of Strathclyde University's Equally Safe in HE initiative in developing a toolkit.

Congress also welcomes the rolling out of signposting information on gender based violence to every member of staff in Scottish higher education.

Congress notes that, sadly, incidences of gender based violence in higher education institutions remain all too high, and that there are continuing reports of misogynistic behaviour on campuses and amongst student groups.

Congress believes that the current initiatives in higher education are timely and positive but that progress must be maintained and therefore calls on 51¸£Àû to seek further opportunities to work co-operatively across the HE and FE sectors to tackle gender based violence.

7.6        Motion 18, Sexual harassment and abuse have no place in our union, was moved by Elane Heffernan (NEC) and seconded formally.

Amendment 18A.1 was moved by Christina Paine (NEC) on behalf of the London regional committee and seconded formally:

Add new congress resolves 'e': "To require relevant bodies to produce clear and detailed guidance for NEC members, regional and branch officers on how best to support and advise members reporting sexual harassment, including cases in which the alleged perpetrators are other 51¸£Àû members, officers or staff."

Amendment 18A.2 was moved by Christina Paine (NEC) on behalf of the Anti-casualisation committee and seconded formally:

Add to the end of Congress resolves part d:

‘These guidelines need to recognise sexual harassment, and the threat of sexual harassment, which can be present particularly in the lives of many casualised, vulnerable and mainly female staff and PhD students, who may often feel obliged to keep quiet and not 'rock the boat', because they risk losing teaching hours or supervisory support.’

Tim Chitty (University of Sussex), Dave Swanson (University of Manchester), Sean Wallis (University College London), Jessica Jacobs (Queen Mary University of London), and Sian Lewis-Anthony (University of Kent), spoke in the debate.

Marion Hersh (NEC) proposed remittance of points a. and c. of the motion. Remittance of points a. and c. of motion 18 was voted on separately and CARRIED.

Amendment 18A.1 and amendment 18A.2 were CARRIED.Ìý Motion 18, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress applauds the #MeToo movement.

Congress believes:

1.   we need to take a stand in support of survivors and in making our workplaces free of sexual harassment.

2.   the use of non-disclosure agreements allow those accused of harassment to move to new workplaces without facing charges and puts other people (overwhelmingly women) at risk.

Congress resolves:

a.     to develop a campaign countering use of non-disclosure agreements involving accusations of sexual harassment—including running FOI exercise to investigate institutions using these.

b.    produce guidelines in how to audit disciplinary and grievance policies. These guidelines need to recognise sexual harassment, and the threat of sexual harassment, which can be present particularly in the lives of many casualised, vulnerable and mainly female staff and PhD students, who may often feel obliged to keep quiet and not 'rock the boat', because they risk losing teaching hours or supervisory support.

c.     to require relevant bodies to produce clear and detailed guidance for NEC members, regional and branch officers on how best to support and advise members reporting sexual harassment, including cases in which the alleged perpetrators are other 51¸£Àû members, officers or staff.

7.7     Ìý Congress ADOPTED the report of the equality committee.

8            SECTION 2: BUSINESS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

8.1        Motion 24, Education policy and campaigning, was moved by Vicky Blake (NEC) and seconded formally.

Motion 24 was CARRIED:

Congress welcomes the achievements of the education committee during 2018/19, noting in particular its work on:

1.   university admissions reform.

2.   amplifying staff critiques of/attitudes towards the TEF.

3.   decent apprenticeships.

4.   the life changing impact of FE and adult education.

5.   challenges faced by female Black professors.

6.   lodging an historic and significant complaint to UNESCO on (insufficient) academic freedom in the UK.

Congress notes 51¸£Àû's increasing public policy influence across all UK nations and affirms our commitment to playing an instrumental role in the development of a truly inclusive, transformative national education service.

Congress agrees the education committee should prioritise pursuit of a new project to challenge managerialism in education, including:

a.ÌýÌý development of resources to support coordinated branch level campaigns.

b.ÌýÌý campaigning to support international staff, challenging financial and political barriers connected to immigration.

c.Ìý pushing to secure long-term sustainability of the Transforming FE campaign.

8.2        Motion 25, Education and social justice, was moved by Cecily Blyther (NEC) on behalf of Petroc and seconded formally.

Amendment 25A.1 from the North West regional committee was moved and seconded formally:

Add to end:

‘That student reps are invited to 51¸£Àû events to increase the everyday solidarity that exists between staff and student unions, further encouraging students to take their places at the top table.’

Amendment 25A.2 was moved by Stephen Desmond (Southern regional committee) on behalf of the LGBT+ members’ standing committee and seconded formally:

Add to Congress resolves:

d) A national education policy, developed by Government, which

                     i.        guarantees the primacy of critical thinking & equality in the classroom.

                    ii.        prohibits religion being used as grounds to deny or limit the equal treatment of vulnerable minority groups such as LGBT+ people.

                  iii.        prevents religion being used to limit the positive, progressive inclusion and visibility of LGBT+ people and relationships in all teaching curricula and all learning materials across the full curriculum.

Chris Jones (NEC) proposed that the motion be taken in parts. ÌýAlison Chapman (NEC) and Marion Hersh (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Amendments 25A.1 and 25A.2 were CARRIED.Ìý Congress AGREED that the motion be taken in parts.Ìý Point b. of motion 25 was voted on separately and LOST.

Motion 25, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress believes:

1.   we need a National Education Service (NES) that recognises the need for the minds of the young to be informed and allowed to question. A child should be able to think freely with scope for imagination and creativity to have free reign.

2.   today's national curriculum is ever more abbreviated, and social and political discussion is sometimes curtailed.

3.   the educational system needs radical change, to ensure future generations are offered the tools to question and challenge, according to universal educational principles based on diversity, equality and informed critical thinking.

Congress resolves that 51¸£Àû campaigns for:

a)  students to be empowered to explore ideas critically.

b)  a national strategy for this, working to promote it with other unions and organisations.

c)   That student reps are invited to 51¸£Àû events to increase the every day solidarity that exists between staff and student unions, further encouraging students to take their places at the top table.

d)  A national education policy, developed by Government, which:

i)  guarantees the primacy of critical thinking & equality in the classroom,

ii) Ìýprohibits religion being used as grounds to deny or limit the equal treatment of vulnerable minority groups such as LGBT+ people,

iii)   prevents religion  being used to limit the positive, progressive inclusion and visibility of LGBT+ people and relationships in all teaching curricula and all learning materials across the full curriculum.

8.3        Motion 26, Public money public code campaign, was moved by Tim Barrett (Academic related, professional staff committee) and seconded formally.Ìý Marion Hersh (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 26 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.   the tendency of institutions to centralise IT staff, closely followed by greater outsourcing/buying closed software solutions.

2.   this narrows the scope for up-skilling/professional development and gives management the feeling that staff are a commodity resource, leading to de-professionalisation of the workforce.

3.   the failure of some proprietary software in producing value for money to meet the sector’s needs.

Congress notes:

a.   that this narrowing of offering to academic staff impacts on academic freedom, as the institution will push for their chosen platform or solution.

b.   this strategy leads to closed proprietary systems and vendor lock-in, and in the case of research increases the cost of reproducibility.

Congress resolves:

i)    that 51¸£Àû sign the FSFE 'public money public code' declaration.

ii)  to work with the public money public code campaign for open software in education.

8.4        Motion 27, Lecture capture, was moved by Shereen Benjamin (University of Edinburgh) on behalf of 51¸£Àû Scotland and seconded formally.Ìý Vijay Tymms (Imperial College London) spoke in the debate.

As a point of information, Congress was informed that the guidance was being updated by 51¸£Àû Scotland.

Motion 27 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that new technology such as lecture capture and space surveillance mechanisms have significant implications for post-16 education.

Congress calls upon NEC to develop and update 51¸£Àû policy and negotiating guidance to take the following issues into account:

1.   data protection issues, including privacy of staff and students.

2.   the principle of freely given consent for recordings.

3.   dignity at work and study.

4.   copyright, intellectual property and performance rights.

5.   training needs of staff.

6.   storage, retention and distribution of recordings.

7.   academic freedom.

8.   equality impact assessments.

8.5        Motion 28, Schoolchildren's strike and education for green jobs, was moved by Richard Bradbury (Open University) and seconded by Dave Muritu (NEC).

Amendment 28A.1 was moved by David Swanson (University of Manchester) and seconded formally.

Add after 'equitable way' at end of paragraph 4

Congress welcomes the attention drawn to the climate emergency by Extinction Rebellion, and Greta Thunberg's call for a general strike to demand dramatic, immediate action.

Add points 4 and 5:

4.   campaign for universities, USS, and equivalent institutions to divest from carbon-heavy industries and implement carbon reductions and offsets in travel to help become carbon neutral by 2030.

5.   support and promote calls for a general strike for action on climate change, and call on the TUC to organise this.

Michael McKrell (University of Central Lancaster), Denis Nicole (NEC), Roddy Slorach (Imperial College London), Sean Vernell (NEC) and Martin Ralph (University of Liverpool), spoke in the debate.

Amendment 28A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 28, as amended, was CARRIED.

Congress welcomes the commitment by Jeremy Corbyn that a Labour Government will create 400,000 new green jobs to tackle climate change. This provides opportunities to implement a Just Transition agenda through the Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA).

Congress welcomes and expresses solidarity with the schoolchildren's climate change strike, protesting about the lack of action by governments on climate change. Congress regards the protests as being about a fundamentally important political issue as well as an important part of 'citizenship education'.

Future generations, both in jobs concerned with climate change and the wider workforce, need awareness of environmental issues and of producing in a carbon-neutral manner. Awareness is also needed of equality issues, so that solutions to problems of climate change are not at the expense of the most disadvantaged groups and peoples in the world. The post 16 education sector can contribute research, education and training to provide the knowledge basis for tackling climate change and to develop the workforce needed for green jobs.

51¸£Àû will work with a Labour government and environmental groups to develop research, education courses and qualifications to support expansion of green jobs. These should replace high-carbon industries in a socially equitable way.

Congress welcomes the attention drawn to the climate emergency by Extinction Rebellion, and Greta Thunberg's call for a general strike to demand dramatic, immediate action.

Congress asks NEC to:

1.   organise support for further action by school and college students on this issue.

2.   seek cooperation with the NUS to involve student members in a supportive fashion.

3.   encourage 51¸£Àû members to develop appropriate teaching material which could be used in schools and colleges to help develop the debate around the issue of climate change and, where appropriate, include the debate about climate change in courses.

4.   campaign for universities, USS, and equivalent institutions to divest from carbon-heavy industries and implement carbon reductions and offsets in travel to help become carbon neutral by 2030.

5.   support and promote calls for a general strike for action on climate change, and call on the TUC to organise this.

8.6        Congress ADOPTED the report of the education committee.

9            CONGRESS BUSINESS SECTION 3: RECRUITMENT, ORGANISING AND CAMPAIGNING COMMITTEE

9.1        In response to a question from John James (Coleg Gwent Newport) on the union’s campaigining on trade union education, Matt Waddup, 51¸£Àû national head of policy and campaigns, updated Congress on the union’s GTVO and priority campaigns.

9.2        Motion 32, Participation, GTVO and priority campaigns, was moved by John James (Coleg Gwent Newport) on behalf of the national executive committee and seconded formally.

Amendment 32A.1 was moved by Mark Abel (NEC) on behalf of the University of Brighton, Grand Parade:

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Add at end of 5:

This should include addressing funding disparities between institutions within the FE and HE sectors by collating and circulating financial data on universities and colleges comparing levels of surpluses, reserves, capital spending, pay levels of senior staff etc. and providing training to branches on understanding these disparities for campaigning purposes.

Amendment 32A.2 was moved by Mandy Brown (NEC) on behalf of the London regional committee:

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Add point 6

6. To secure support from members to fight over pay 51¸£Àû must be able to counter the employer’s narrative that they can’t afford above inflation pay rises. To do so 51¸£Àû is instructed to organise training days entitled ‘Alternative accounting’.Ìý Many of the 51¸£Àû FE branches have been successful with this approach when they have campaigned around the slogan ‘the money is there we want our share’.

Jo McNeil (NEC) and Sean Vernell (NEC) spoke, in the debate.

Amendments 32A.1 and 32A.2 were CARRIED. Motion 32, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes the progress made by 51¸£Àû in increasing average turnout in ballots from 38% to 49% since the passing of the Trade Union Act and recognises the challenges this unfair legislation presents to the union.

NEC is instructed to continue to prioritise increased participation in the union and specifically:

1.    directly supporting branches in dispute, including via GTVO campaigns

2.    expanding training opportunities for active members

3.    prioritising help for small branches

4.    continuing to grow the union through recruitment, and

5.    providing support for priority national campaigns aimed at tackling pay, inequality, ending casualisation and addressing workload. This should include addressing funding disparities between institutions within the FE and HE sectors by collating and circulating financial data on universities and colleges comparing levels of surpluses, reserves, capital spending, pay levels of senior staff etc. and providing training to branches on understanding these disparities for campaigning purposes.

6.    To secure support from members to fight over pay 51¸£Àû must be able to counter the employer’s narrative that they can’t afford above inflation pay rises. To do so 51¸£Àû is instructed to organise training days entitled ‘Alternative accounting’.Ìý Many of the 51¸£Àû FE branches have been successful with this approach when they have campaigned around the slogan ‘the money is there we want our share’.

9.3        Motion 33, Campaigning against victimisation of UCL 51¸£Àû branch secretary Tony Brown, was moved by Tony Brown (UCL) and seconded formally.

Motion 33 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that:

1.    an employment tribunal panel has unanimously found that UCL 51¸£Àû branch secretary Tony Brown was victimised by UCL management for carrying out trade union activities

2.    the trade union activities were setting up an opt-out email list for staff to use in response to management imposed restrictions

3.    UCL has appealed the case to the EAT

4.    51¸£Àû Congress 2017 reaffirmed strong support for members subject to victimisation by their employer.

Congress believes:

a.     an injury to one is an injury to all

b.    freedom of association is a fundamental right that supports collective bargaining

c.     this is a test case on the right of trade unions to use email facilities to organise at work.

Congress:

                   i.   calls on the NEC to declare this matter a dispute of national significance

                  ii.   instructs the NEC to support UCL 51¸£Àû to publicise the case and seek practical and financial solidarity.

9.4        Motion B18, End victimisation for trade union activity, was moved by Des McDermott (Ruskin College) on behalf of the Southern regional committee. Emma-Jane Phillips (NEC) raised a point of clarification to which Paul Cottrell, national head of democratic services, responded. Lee Humber (observer, Southern regional committee) addressed Congress.

Motion B18 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that Dr Lee Humber, membership secretary for Ruskin College 51¸£Àû branch was suspended two days after Ruskin College 51¸£Àû branch unanimously passed a Vote of No Confidence in the Principal on 27 March 2019. Ruskin College 51¸£Àû believes that the timing of the decision was a direct retaliation to the vote of no confidence.

Congress believes that any attack on the rights of trade union officers to carry out their responsibilities is an attack on every trade union officer in the 51¸£Àû.

Congress instructs the NEC to

1.   Support Ruskin College 51¸£Àû and publicise the case and seek practical and financial solidarity

2.   Resolve to provide all necessary support, up to, and including legal representation for Employment Tribunals for 51¸£Àû officers victimised by their employer

3.   Call on Ruskin College Oxford to immediately lift the suspension of Ruskin College Oxford 51¸£Àû membership secretary Dr Lee Humber.

9.5        Motion 34, Citizenship stripping/immigration measures, was moved by Nita Sanghera (vice-president) on behalf of the Black members’ standing committee and seconded formally.

Motion 34 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.    the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, which adds to existing legislation to expand state surveillance mechanisms and punitive powers

2.    the encroachment of immigration enforcement and ‘hostile environment’ policies on campuses

3.    the implementation of the Prevent policy as a statutory duty on campuses.

4.    the citizenship stripping of Shamima Begum, highlighting how migrants and their descendants can be arbitrarily deprived of British citizenship.

Congress condemns attempts to instruct staff to engage in racial profiling, the policing of thought and the failure to protect staff against the risks of human rights violations arising from workplace actions. No colleague should be asked to collude with actions that may be used to remove citizenship.

Congress resolves to:

a.     review advice on instructions that could be used to enact human rights violations

b.    form a working group to monitor risks to staff arising from Prevent and immigration control.

9.6        Motion 35, Christchurch and Prevent, was moved by Dave Muritu (NEC) on behalf of the Black members’ standing committee.

Motion 35 was CARRIED:

In the aftermath of the terrible attacks at two Christchurch mosques on 15th March, conference notes:

The attempt to rehabilitate the Prevent programme as a means of preventing similar far-right attacks in the UK.

Conference believes that promoting Prevent as a tool to combat Islamophobia is cynical and lacking credibility, given the role of Prevent in institutionalising Islamophobia. Conference believes the media campaign to rehabilitate Prevent is designed to further entrench the repressive apparatus of Prevent in universities, colleges and other public bodies.

Conference resolves:

1.   To oppose any expansion of Prevent, and to prepare campaign materials reiterating our call for its abolition;

2.   To support branches in developing local campaigns against Prevent alongside students.

9.7        Motion 36, Anti-casualisation, was moved by Pauline Hall (South East regional committee) and seconded formally.

Motion 36 was CARRIED:

Increasing casualisation impacts negatively on lecturing staff, notably their mental health. They are often given the largest and most challenging classes which impacts on workload and stress levels – much work goes unrewarded for example: impromptu meetings with students and staff, CPD, open days, interviews. Many hourly paid staff use holiday periods to complete marking and preparation as well as responding to emails from students and colleagues. Sick pay is inadequate or not paid.

Casualised staff end up in spiralling debt on insecure contracts and their mental health suffers as lack of pay means that monthly financial outgoings cannot be met further exacerbating stress and depression.

Lecturers are pitted against their peers in the vain hope that they will be given a full time or fractional post.

Congress:

1.    reiterates its opposition to casualised contracts

2.    urges 51¸£Àû to make the ending of all such contracts a priority.

9.8        Motion 37, End the abuses of casualised contracts, was moved by Marion Hersh (NEC) on behalf of the University of Glasgow and seconded by Bob Jeffery (Sheffield Hallam University). Annemarie Piso (Leeds Beckett University) spoke in the debate.

Motion 37 was CARRIED:

Congress welcomes the progress made through the hard work of activists and deplores the ways that institutions are trying to circumvent legislation and/or their own policies.

Congress reaffirms that the focus of improving policy and obtaining fractional contracts must not be at the expense of job loss by casualised staff.

Congress instructs NEC to obtain data and details and/or case studies including:

1.Ìý institutional anti-casualisation policies

2.Ìý staff who legally should have received a permanent/open-ended contract but are still on casualised contracts

3. Ìý staff who have a mixture of permanent/open-ended and casualised contracts

4.Ìý casualised staff who have lost their jobs as a result of policy changes.

And to:

a.Ìý name and shame the worst employers

b.Ìý publicise good practice, including through case studies

c.Ìý campaign for improved collective agreements, including through tribunal cases, where appropriate.

9.9        Motion 38, Developing negotiations to increase job security, was moved by Dave Muritu (NEC) and seconded formally. James Brackley (University of Birmingham) and Gordon McKelvie (University of Winchester) spoke in the debate.

Motion 38 was CARRIED:

Congress applauds the work of many 51¸£Àû activists who have campaigned and worked over the years to make anti-casualisation a central aspect of 51¸£Àû’s work.Ìý It recognises the progress achieved in our understanding of this issue, as a concern for all members, and applauds negotiating gains which have transferred casualised staff to more secure contracts.

Congress notes, however, the danger that employers may, despite anti-casualisation agreements, seek to create new forms of precarious work or new layers of casualised staff.

Congress therefore instructs the relevant committees of the NEC to explore the feasibility and usefulness of collective agreements which determine the staffing structure of educational institutions.Ìý Such agreements can be used to establish the norm for employment as full-time or fractional permanent contracts and restrict the creation of casualised employment.Ìý They can also address workload pressures arising from under-staffing.

9.10     Motion 39, Equality and casualisation, was moved by Joanna de Groot (NEC) and seconded by Christina Paine (NEC). John Parrington (University of Oxford) and Martin Ralph (University of Liverpool) spoke in the debate.

Amendment 39A.1 was moved by Lesley Kane (NEC) on behalf of the Open University and seconded formally.

Add at end:

d.ÌýÌý to organise a national meeting on the intersection of protected characteristics with low pay and lack of job security, with branch representatives and individual activists able to register and take part. This meeting should include workshops and plenary sessions, and feed back to the NEC, ACC and equality committees.

e.ÌýÌý that the NEC will plan local and national campaigning on the issues raised in this motion, in conjunction with the anti-casualisation and equality committees.

Amendment 39A.2 was moved by Sean Vernell (NEC) on behalf of the disabled members’ standing committee:

Add to Congress resolves:

d.ÌýÌý for NEC to create with DMSC and anti-casualisation committee a campaign pack that branches can use to make campaign on and make claims in relation to disability and casualisation.

Amendments 39A.1 and 39A.2 were CARRIED.Ìý Motion 39, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.     the continued obstacles to equality and career development for women, black, disabled and LGBT+ colleagues in FE and HE

2.     the intersection of protected characteristics with one another, and with the growing use and abuse of precarious and casualised working: black, LGBT+, disabled and women colleagues are disproportionately likely to work under insecure contracts and conditions

3.     the need to link work on pay inequities with work on casualisation and disability, and on homophobic, racist and sexist cultures.

Congress resolves

a.     to ensure consultation and sharing of information about bargaining and campaigning on equal pay and related equality issues between sector committees and the cross-sectoral anti-casualisation and equality committees

b.     to promote awareness among branch activists and negotiators of the crucial links between casualisation, disability and race gender and LGBT+ inequities, and provide relevant legal advice

c.     to encourage branches to take casualisation and gender claims

d.     to organise a national meeting on the intersection of protected characteristics with low pay and lack of job security, with branch representatives and individual activists able to register and take part. This meeting should include workshops and plenary sessions, and feed back to the NEC, ACC and equality committees

e.     that the NEC will plan local and national campaigning on the issues raised in this motion, in conjunction with the anti-casualisation and equality committees

f.      for NEC to create with DMSC and anti-casualisation committee a campaign pack that branches can use to make campaign on and make claims in relation to disability and casualisation.

9.11     Motion 40, Investigating UK companies and agencies exploiting or profiting from casualisation, was moved by Justine Mercer (NEC) on behalf of the West Midlands regional committee and seconded formally.

Motion 40 was CARRIED:

Congress notes the use of ‘temp’ and casual work agencies for the purposes of:

1.     evading education workers’ rights to union representation (e.g. Coventry University)

2.     undermining lawful industrial action.

Congress resolves:

a.ÌýÌý to commission an investigation by ‘Corporate Watch’ or other relevant union-friendly research agency to map the location, activities and power of education staffing companies and agencies exploiting or profiting from casualisation in the UK

b.ÌýÌý to make this research complement rather than overlap existing research conducted by or on behalf of 51¸£Àû

c.ÌýÌý to mandate a reasonable expenditure of funds necessary to produce a full report including:

                         i.       mini-profiles of the companies profiting from casualisation in education, their ownership structures, finances, business models and interests of shareholding parties

ii.ÌýÌý recommendations of areas of potential leverage that can be used against insecure, atypical or illegal employment practices and in defence of workers’ rights.

9.12     Motion B6, Gaining recognition for workers in private provider HE pathway colleges, was moved by J Hibbertgreaves (University of Sheffield International College). Sunil Banga (University of Lancaster) spoke in the debate.

Motion B6 was CARRIED:

Significant increases in private ‘pathway’ providers at universities across the UK, are threatening the working conditions of all 51¸£Àû members – staff are on zero hours, poor pay/conditions with no Union support or recognition.

The University of Sheffield International College (part of Study Group), the newest branch of 51¸£Àû, gained recognition through the encouragement and care of our University branch.Ìý

Study Group, one of two dozen companies using similar business formats – ‘flexible staffing’ (largely casualised labour, teaching big class sizes and long hours – some colleges opening weekends and evenings until 9pm).Ìý There’s an awful lot of profit in International students – university managers recognise this.Ìý

Congress believes established university branches, should be recruiting and supporting new members to build their own branches in the private pathway colleges.Ìý

Congress resolves:

a.ÌýÌý to organise campaigns through local branches to recruit private providers’ staff and support them in building new branches

b.ÌýÌý offer membership subsidies for zero-hours staff

9.13     Motion 41, Women and casualisation, was moved by Christina Paine (NEC) on behalf of the Anti-casualisation committee and seconded by Cecily Blyther (NEC). Sean Wallis (NEC) and Jessica Jacobs (Queen Mary University of London), spoke in the debate.

Motion 41 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that more women, especially those from intersecting equality strands, are stuck on casualised contracts.Ìý It is a significant equal pay issue.Ìý It hinders career progression and means they earn less than male comparators in permanent positions.Ìý They then cannot get off the lower quartile of pay or precarious employment conditions.Ìý This is an equal pay issue that 51¸£Àû, the government and employers need to confront.Ìý Employers will say that equal pay is not problematic because of contract type.

Congress resolves to:

1.     encourage 51¸£Àû funding of a casualised woman’s equal pay claim

2.     promote to branches and give guidance on equal pay claims in branch campaigns and local management negotiations

3.     hold a special NEC meeting, solely on casualised workers, to progress work on this issue within the union

4.     promote this issue with the Labour party and other political parties.

9.14     Motion 42, Industrial strategy and the anti-union laws, was moved by Chris Cocking (University of Brighton) and seconded by Mandy Brown (NEC).

Motion 42 was CARRIED:

Congress notes

1.   the successful mobilisation around the USS dispute and a number of FE disputes

2.   the recent 70% strike vote and 41% turnout in HE is a massive mandate for action and the biggest vote ever for pay in the 51¸£Àû

3.   only the imposition of a 50% turnout threshold by the Tories in 2016 prevented this being a legal mandate for action.

Congress believes

a.     members in all sectors want to see gains over pay, equality, defence of jobs, pensions and working conditions

b.     these gains depend on our ability to take industrial action

c.     the 50% threshold can be exceeded on a national basis not just locally.

Congress resolves to

                   i.   implement and build on the recommendations of the commission on effective industrial action

                   i.   engage the membership in developing mechanisms for achieving the legal threshold including

                  ii.   spreading the most effective locally developed GTVO techniques

                iii.   encouraging regional mutual support arrangements for branches.

9.15     Motion 43, Tory anti-trade union legislation, and amendment 43A.1 were moved by Carlo Morelli (NEC) and seconded formally:

Add at end of point 1. ‘and all other anti-trade union legislation.’

Add in Congress resolves a new point c.: ‘to call on an incoming Labour government to immediately rescind all anti-union legislation.’

Amendment 43A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 43, as amended, was CARRIED:

1.   Congress reiterates 51¸£Àû’s opposition to the Tory Trade Union Act 2016Ìý and all other anti-trade union legislation.

2.   most recently the Act has prevented industrial action against employers in respect of poor pay in HE and the gender pay gap despite majority votes for industrial action. Other unions have been similarly impacted

3.   despite the historically high turnout achieved in a national postal ballot and considerable GTVO efforts by branch activists and the gratifyingly high vote for industrial action, failure to achieve the 50 percent threshold has once again left members understandably angry and frustrated.

Congress resolves:

a. ÌýÌýÌý that 51¸£Àû’s leadership shall organise a day of action against the anti-trade union legislation, and

b.ÌýÌýÌýÌý that the union calls on the TUC should organise a broad TU protest against this unjust anti-working class attack on workers’ rights to take industrial action.

c.ÌýÌýÌýÌý to call on an incoming Labour government to immediately rescind all anti-union legislation.

9.16     Motion 44, RMB assistance, was moved by Brian Hambridge (East Midlands retired members branch) and seconded formally.

Motion 44 was CARRIED:

This Congress notes and welcomes the involvement of retired members branches in the GTVO process.

It urges the NEC to consider further appropriate auxiliary help by the RMBs to working branches, and to inform working branches of this source of additional assistance.

9.17     Motion 45, Financial and training support for organising, was moved by Robyn Orfitelli (University of Sheffield) and seconded formally.

Motion 45 was CARRIED:

ÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Congress notes:

1.    participation thresholds mandated by anti-trade union laws impede industrial action, despite strong member support. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve organising support for branches

2.    existing organising training (Advanced Reps) requires Rep 1, limiting its accessibility to members

3.    branches differ significantly in membership densities and available backfilled facility time.

Congress resolves:

a.     to rename Advanced Reps to ‘51¸£Àû Organisers’: A 1-2 day course assuming no prior knowledge of 51¸£Àû structures, covering recruitment, GTVO, building strike committees, and coordinating effective industrial action.

b.    to provide funds to regional offices to act as organising hubs, which will:

                i.       coordinate and deliver organiser training

              ii.       provide specialist support to branches developing GTVO plans

             iii.       coordinate and deliver telephone banking, and be able to requisitionÌýÌýÌý additional staffing to support this

c.     to permit branches to request access to these funds to coordinate their own campaigning.

9.18     Motion 46, The climate emergency: zero carbon workplaces by 2030, was moved by Julia Roberts (NEC) on behalf of Lambeth College and seconded by Tor Krever (University of Warwick).

Motion 46 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.     the IPCC report (Oct 2018) on anthropogenic global climate change outlines the significantly intensified harm likely to result from a 2°C vs 1.5°C rise; but acknowledges the possibility of avoiding this

2.     a growing international movement of school students’ strikes demanding urgent action on climate change, including walkouts on 15 February and 15 March by tens of thousands of school, college and university students

3.     student/staff campaigns have helped push over 70 UK universities to pledge to divest from fossil fuels

4.     UK universities and colleges have reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but most no longer comply with new scientific understanding

5.     some UK university managements, such as Bristol, are rising to this challenge, setting clear targets for carbon neutrality by 2030; elsewhere, such as the University of Warwick, 51¸£Àû branches are supporting student leadership.

Congress believes

a.ÌýÌý the depletion of the planet’s resources by neoliberal powers is unsustainable. These are the same powers implementing marketisation of education.

b.ÌýÌý the UK government is failing to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement

c. Ìý unions should have a much more integral role in ensuring that climate change policies are advancing.

Congress resolves to

                   i.   publicise the climate strikes to members and urge them to set up solidarity actions for future strikes

                  ii.   issue a public statement on the climate emergency and commit to researching and developing a plan to achieve ‘scope 3’ carbon neutrality by 2030 in all the institutions where members work

                iii.   encourage all 51¸£Àû branches to recognise a state of climate emergency and develop a campaign, in collaboration with others including education unions, for all educational institutional commitments to ‘scope 3’ carbon neutrality by 2030

                iv.   produce campaign and resources to raise eco consciousness.

9.19     Motion 47, Just transition, was moved by Alison Meeds (London retired members branch) and seconded by Liz Lawrence (Yorkshire and Humberside retired members branch). Eurig Scrandrett (51¸£Àû Scotland) spoke in the debate.

Motion 47 was CARRIED:

Whilst recognising right of energy unions to defend their members pay and conditions during a just transition to a low carbon economy, Congress regardsÌý this as an issue which is of legitimate concern to all parts of the labour movement.

Trade unions must help a just transition; shifting energy production, transport, housing and agriculture onto a sustainable basis; with workers and communities most directly affected re-skilled.

Congress instructs the executive to approach other education unions and interested parties to:

1.     lobby Government to carry out their obligations under the Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals in educating the public and students about climate change and the measures needed to deal with it

2.     press for every FHE institution to be zero carbon by 2030

3.     make just transition key in our discussions about the National Education Service; and

4.     support the call for a just transition conference open to all unions.

9.20     Motion 48, Food waste, was moved by Janet Farrar (NEC). ÌýMarina Lambrakis (University of Oxford) and Vibeke Fussing (London South East Colleges), spoke in the debate.

Motion 48 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that:

1.     eight million people in the UK are living in food poverty.

2.     according to the Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP), the UK wastes 10 million tonnes of food every year.

3.     in France, it is now against the law for large supermarkets to throw away unused food, which must be donated to a non-profit charity or foodbank. Denmark reduced food waste by 25% in five years through simple measures.

4.     universities and colleges often have large campuses with multiple food outlets.

Congress instructs the union to develop guidance for branches to:

a.     work with student unions and environmental reps to urge institutions to reduce food waste on their campuses.

b.     encourage institutions to donate excess food to local food banks.

c.     share good practice from institutions where successful initiatives are already in place.

d.     highlight to employers the financial benefits of reducing food waste in line with the Courtauld Commitment 2025.

9.21     Motion 49, Reps’ network, and amendment 49A.1 were moved by Janet Farrar (NEC) and seconded formally:

Add, at end: ‘Congress further instructs NEC to bring forward proposals for the embedding of self-care and mental health protection in union training, in particular for, but not limited to, reps and branch officers.’

Amendment 49A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 49, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes that:

1.    workplace reps are volunteers and are often faced with stressful situations and distressing casework and the role can be isolating and lonely

2.    51¸£Àû provides the Education Support Partnership service for members, which provides ‘independent, confidential 24/7 support’ on many issues

3.    counselling support from education specialists may not extend to the specific emotional issues faced by reps

4.    members of branch committees are often juggling full-time jobs alongside their union duties and may not have time to offer emotional support to other reps.

5.    union matters are confidential and therefore cannot be discussed with friends or family outside of the union.

Congress instructs 51¸£Àû to create a reps’ network with appropriate training and mentoring, comprised of volunteer reps/ former reps who would offer a listening ear (telephone or face-to-face) to workplace reps who are without a mechanism for offloading distressing experiences that must remain confidential within the union.

Congress further instructs NEC to bring forward proposals for the embedding of self-care and mental health protection in union training, in particular for, but not limited to, reps and branch officers.

9.22     Motion 50, Casuals, benefits and the welfare state, was moved by Elaine White (NEC) on behalf of the anti-casualisation committee and seconded by Vibeke Fussing (London South East Colleges). Joanna Potts (Hartlepool College) spoke in the debate.Ìý

Motion 50 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that:

1.   there is not sufficient recognition that large numbers of our members often need to access the welfare state, owing to constant breaks in employment and underemployment

2.   Ìýthe health of the trade union movement depends on solidarity, community and identity between employed and unemployed workers

3.   Tory austerity is destroying our welfare state and demonising benefit claimants

4.   universal credit is designed to plunge working class people into poverty and must be scrapped.

Congress asks 51¸£Àû to:

a.     publish a guide to benefits and the welfare state, focusing on frequent breaks in employment and under-employment/low pay.Ìý This should be accompanied by guidance on distribution, to grow our movement

b.    actively campaign alongside other unions and campaigns to defend the welfare state

c.     encourage branches to demand employers provide support for members affected by universal credit.

Congress commits to building support for this policy throughout 51¸£Àû.

9.23     Motion 51, Managerialisation and financialisation of higher and further education, was moved by Deepa Govindarajan Driver (University of Reading) on behalf of the Southern regional committee and seconded by Stephen Desmond (Southern regional committee).

Amendment 51A.1 was moved by Tim Barrett (Academic related, professional staff committee):

Add at end of first paragraph after 'conditions' - 'Congress notes that HEIs have never implemented the national agreement for academic related professional staff, which exacerbates these detriments.'

Add a point 3 to 'Congress calls on the NEC to' - '3. produce a report of any good practice regarding the implementation of the national agreement for academic related professional staff, and produce a model claim for branches to submit to address this issue.'

Amendment 51A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 51, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes the hardship inflicted on all staff as a result of managerialisation and financialisation in both HE and FE, and enforced deviations in national contracts. Congress also notes the devastating impact of the extensive borrowing, complex financial arrangements and disproportionately ambitious building/property transactions of the institutions and affiliates which have been used by management to justify detriment on pay, pensions and conditions.Ìý Congress notes that HEIs have never implemented the national agreement for academic related professional staff, which exacerbates these detriments.

Congress calls on the NEC to:

1. commission critical financial accounting reviews to help challenge institutions undertaking so-called ‘voluntary’ or compulsory redundancies, precarity, outsourcing, or those expressing financial hardship to justify pensions contributions increases or benefits reductions.

2.Ìý produce a report of all the institutions that have deviated in the past 10 years from the national agreements with details of the deviations involved, and to produce an annual report going forward of all deviations in national contract from relevant institutions.

3.Ìý produce a report of any good practice regarding the implementation of the national agreement for academic related professional staff, and produce a model claim for branches to submit to address this issue.

9.24     Motion 52, Social care, was moved by Chris Jones (NEC) on behalf of Wales retired members branch and seconded formally. Marion Hersh (NEC) moved a drafting amendment, to change ‘devolved regions’ to ‘devolved nations’ in the first paragraph which was CARRIED.

Motion 52, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes that in Wales there is a campaign to recruit 20,000 more social care workers. Given the increase in the elderly population England and the other devolved nations funding for social care should not rely on a person’s bank balance.

Congress asks 51¸£Àû to campaign through whatever means in order for the government to adequately fund social care. In addition, Congress is asked to support a campaign to ensure that social care workers in England and the devolved regions are paid a wage that reflects their responsibilities and calls for an end to zero hour contracts and payment by the minute for all care workers in both the public and private sector.

9.25     Motion L3, Trade Union Call It Out campaign against bigotry, sectarianism and anti-Irish racism, was moved by Marion Hersh (NEC). Jo McNeil (NEC) and Ann Gow (NEC), spoke in the debate.

Motion L3 was CARRIED:

Congress deplores the decision by Glasgow City Council to allow orange marches in May, June, and July to go past St Alphonsus and other Catholic churches and the orange march organised by British Together which took place last Saturday.

Congress affirms its commitment to campaign against bigotry, sectarianism and anti-Irish and other forms of racism.

Congress agrees to

1.       Support the Trade Union call it out campaign and encourage members to sign the letter of support

2.       Write to Glasgow City Council to reroute the marches to avoid Catholic churches and areas

3.        Encourage members to stand in solidarity outside St Alphonsus and other Catholic churches if and when orange marches are routed past them.

9.26     Motion L7, Save Stourbridge College!, was moved by Dharminder Chuhan (Sandwell College).

Motion L7 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.     Stourbridge was taken over by BMET in 2013

2.     BMET plans to close Stourbridge College (after 170 years) this August

3.    Failure to engage with unions and other stakeholders in either decision

4.    The disastrous impact closure will have for local participation in FE and subsequently HE.

Congress believes

a.     The asset strip of Stourbridge College is a catastrophic failure of incorporation

b.    The site sale will have little impact on BMET’s debts whilst ending FE provision in Stourbridge, displacing and losing students and staff

c.     This is part of a wider attack on working class education

d.    The market model of FE has failed.

Congress resolves to

                i.       Build with other unions & supporters for a national demonstration and campaign to Save Stourbridge College

              ii.       To lobby governing bodies, politicians and other relevant parties to engage in the campaign to halt the closure

                iii.   To call upon members to write to their MP to support the EDM.

9.27     Congress ADOPTED the report of the recruitment, organising and campaigning committee.

THIRD SESSION OF CONGRESS, MONDAY MORNING, 27 MAY

10         REPORT OF THE CONGRESS BUSINESS COMMITTEE

10.1     Alan Barker, chair of the Congress business committee, moved the sixth report of the Congress business committee.Ìý Andrew Chitty (University of Sussex) moved that motion B19 be ordered onto the agenda. A vote to challenge CBC’s report and order B19 onto the agenda required a two-thirds majority.ÌýÌý Of the 168 who voted, 94 voted in favour of acceptance.Ìý A two-thirds majority not having voted in favour, motion B19 was not ordered onto the agenda. The sixth report of the Congress business committee was ADOPTED.

11         SECTION 4: BUSINESS OF THE STRATEGY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE taken in private session

11.1     Motion 53, Appointment of auditors, and motion 54, Audited financial statements, were taken in the same debate and moved by Steve Sangwine (Honorary Treasurer) and seconded formally.

Motion 53 was CARRIED.

Congress approves the appointment of Knox Cropper as the union's auditors for the year ending 31 August 2019.

Motion 54 was CARRIED.

Congress receives the union's audited financial statements for the 12-month period ending 31 August 2018 as asset out in .

11.2     Motion 55, Budget 2019-2020, and motion 56, Subscription rates and bands, were taken in the same debate and moved by Steve Sangwine (Honorary Treasurer) and seconded formally.

Josh Robinson (Cardiff University) proposed that motion 56 be voted on before motion 55.Ìý Gareth Storey, head of finance, addressed Congress.

Deepa Govindarajan Driver (University of Reading), Vicky Blake (NEC) and Jessica Jacobs (Queen Mary University of London), spoke in the debate.

On a vote, the proposal to vote on motion 56 before voting on motion 55 was LOST.

Motion 55 was CARRIED:

Congress endorses the budget for September 2019-August 2020 as set out in .

Motion 56 was CARRIED:

Congress accepts the treasurer's report on progress with the review of subscription rates and bands and endorses the changes to band structures and subscription rates from 1 September 2019 as set out in .

11.3     Motion 57, Repayment of incurred expenses, was moved by Emma-Jane Phillips (NEC) on behalf of the Northern regional committee and seconded formally.Ìý Steve Sangwine (Honorary Treasurer), Mike Lammiman (University of Hull), Cecily Blyther (Petroc), Rhian Keyse (Anti-casualisation committee), and Justin Wynne (Sussex Coast College Hastings), spoke in the debate.

Motion 57 was CARRIED:

The work that delegates do on behalf the union is extensive and can incur considerable cost. Although the costs are recouped, delegates are often left out of pocket for periods of time. These out of pocket expenses exponentially increase the further away from London the delegate is and the delegate is often reimbursed 6 - 8 weeks after the cost has been incurred. This repayment process can be discriminatory to casualised staff or those from regions outside of the commuter belt. The union would not expect members to pay out hundreds of pounds in advance to do work for the employer and should not be held to a lower standard.

Congress resolves:

1.   to pay out valid expense claims within 28 days.

2.   to facilitate head office purchasing travel documents/accommodation direct for delegates where requested, as offered option rather than special circumstance, thus minimising the out of pocket expenses.

Congress moved into open session.

11.4     Motion 58, Efficient membership data management was moved by Nick Hardy (University of Birmingham) and seconded by Jo McNeil (NEC).

Motion 58 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.    due to turnout thresholds, efficient membership data management is essential for successful ballots.

2.    Ìýthe current form for members to edit their information only allows for a single email rather than a work/personal email as previously. This is problematic as branches often rely on work emails to identify staff, whilst many members prefer to receive union communications to personal email.

3.    Ìýeffective GTVO requires up-to-date reports of current members including exclusion from current ballots and whether they have voted.

4.    membership secretaries need a simple method to report exclusions and leavers.

Congress resolves:

                i.       allow members to store and update work and home emails in My51¸£Àû.

              ii.       include current exclusion (with reason) and voting data in existing membership data exports and allow leavers to be updated in 51¸£Àû eServices.

             iii.       ensure funds are made available so that functionality can be put in place whether through updating, or even replacing, existing systems.

11.5     Motion 59, Protecting employment rights and Brexit, was moved by Alistair Mactaggart (Chesterfield College) and seconded by Chiara Vassell (Croydon College).

Amendment 59A.1 was moved by Chiara Vassell (Croydon College) and seconded formally:

Add at end:

5. to organise with other trade unions and anti-racist organisations like Stand up to Racism a series of regional forums to support EU Nationals, offer legal advice and campaigning support

6. to organise a national campus day of action to defend the rights of EU nationals.

Amendment 59A.1 was CARRIED. Motion 59, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes motion 10 carried by Congress 2017. It calls on the NEC to give an update on the programme of work voted for in this motion.

Congress notes the long period of uncertainty around the final form of Brexit and the UK's future relationship with the European Union. Whatever the outcome Congress resolves that 51¸£Àû:

1.    support fully continued educational and academic links with educational institutions within the EU.

2.    defend employment and equality rights to be at least as good as those operating within the EU.

3.    continue to support EU citizens who are studying and working in UK universities and colleges, and their families.

4.    continue to oppose racism and xenophobia.

5.    to organise with other trade unions and anti-racist organisations like Stand up to Racism a series of regional forums to support EU Nationals, offer legal advice and campaigning support.

6.    to organise a national campus day of action to defend the rights of EU nationals.

11.6     Motion 60, International campaigns and solidarity work, was moved by Douglas Chalmers (president elect) and seconded formally.Ìý Amendment 60A.1 was moved by Elane Heffernan (NEC) on behalf of the disabled members’ standing committee and seconded formally:

Add new final paragraph: Congress instructs NEC to work with DMSC to step up involvement in fighting for the rights of disabled people internationally and in particular in defending the right of access to integrated education.

Amendment 60A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 60, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress recognises the growing international character of post-compulsory education and the benefits of 51¸£Àû's international work (e.g. international union support during the USS dispute).

Congress welcomes the union's international activities and campaigns to:

1.   defend academic freedom and educators at risk in countries such as Turkey and Palestine.

2.   fight for the rights of women and people with protected characteristics (e.g. LGBT+ in Chechnya).

3.   expose the damage to public education and research caused by global corporations such as Elsevier and DfID's privatisation agenda.

4.   promote the role FE plays in developing human capabilities (e.g. EI's TVET research).

5.   support union capacity-building and renewal (e.g. ETUCE's YOUR TURN! project) and links with sister trade unions (e.g. Zimbabwe).

Congress calls on 51¸£Àû to build on current work in these areas and continue to engage regions, branches and members in practical international work, including ongoing support for EI, TUC, Amnesty and other affiliated solidarity organisations.

Congress instructs NEC to work with DMSC to step up involvement in fighting for the rights of disabled people internationally and in particular in defending the right of access to integrated education.

11.7     Motion 61, Solidarity with Brazil: fighting the far right, was moved by Sue Abbott (NEC) and seconded formally.

Motion 61 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that there has been a recent rise in the far right globally. As an education union we need to be committed to challenge this and fully support educators so they can educate without fear of violence or persecution.

Congress deplores the recent election of the far right Bolsonaro in Brazil, and is concerned about the resulting threats to civil liberties, workers' rights, equality, public services and the environment. Bolsonaro has been widely publicised as being a misogynist, homophobic and racist. Congress notes that one of the first actions of the Bolsonaro presidency was to weaken protections for the LGBT+, indigenous and black communities.

Congress is concerned about the negative effects on free speech, academic freedom and institutional autonomy posed by the rise of far-right populism in Brazil. Worrying developments include police forces entering university campuses during the presidential election and official support for proposals encouraging students to report on 'left-wing' educators (the 'School without Party' movement). Since his election teaching materials have been confiscated on far right ideological grounds and there has been suppression of anti-fascist history and activism.

Congress declares solidarity with sister education unions standing up for staff, students, and academic freedom in Brazil.

Congress calls on the NEC to:

1.   work with the TUC, EI and other broad-based groups to support the Brazilian people in defending democracy, human rights and social progress.

2.   encourage and support the setting up of support networks in UK universities and colleges for Brazilian academics.

3.   invite Brazilian academics to our universities and colleges in conjunction with Stand up to Racism events to speak about the importance of fighting the far right whenever and wherever we can.

11.8     Motion 62, 51¸£Àû support for Sudanese protests, was moved by Martin Ralph (University of Liverpool) and seconded by Anne Alexander (University of Cambridge).Ìý Amendment 62A.1 was moved by Anne Alexander (University of Cambridge) and seconded by Willow Berridge (Newcastle University):

Third paragraph, after '...their right to protest', add 'and organise unions'

Fifth paragraph, end of first sentence, replace 'Sudan' with 'Al-Bashir's regime'.

Delete penultimate paragraph (beginning 'Congress asks all trade unions to...'). Replace with: Congress instructs NEC to:

1.  meet Sudanese trade unions to discuss solidarity.

2.  write to the UK government.

a.  supporting a democratic, civilian transitional authority in Sudan.

b.  demanding an immediate end to military sales to and security cooperation with individuals and groups in Sudan responsible for human rights abuses.

Yusuf Deeni (Abertay University) spoke in the debate.

Amendment 62A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 62, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress condemns the violence against Sudanese demonstrators by the Al-Bashir government.

Congress condemns school and university closures and the arrest, torture and killing of students, teachers and academics.

Congress condemns the attacks on doctors.

Congress supports the demonstrators' demands to bring down Al-Bashir's regime and their right to protest and organise unions without fear of repression.

Congress demands the release of all imprisoned demonstrators and organisers.

The UK government must stop all trade and aid to Al-Bashir's regime. 66% of government revenue goes to 'security'.

Congress agrees to support and publicise the Sudanese campaigns such as Justice For Sudan and urge attendance on their demos.

Congress instructs NEC to:

1.   meet Sudanese trade unions to discuss solidarity.

2.   write to the UK government.

a.supporting a democratic, civilian transitional authority in Sudan.

b. demanding an immediate end to military sales to and security cooperation with individuals and groups in Sudan responsible for human rights abuses.

Congress says refugees welcome here.

11.9     Motion 63, Fairtrade, was moved by John James (Coleg Gwent Newport) on behalf of 51¸£Àû Wales and seconded formally.

Motion 63 was CARRIED:

Congress notes Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of the people who grow the things we love. We do this by making trade fair.

Congress believes that 51¸£Àû can play an important role in helping the work of Fairtrade Foundation through its procurement possibilities.

Congress calls upon 51¸£Àû to:

1.   look into the feasibility of committing itself with the Fairtrade foundation.

2.   serving Fairtrade Tea and Coffee where possible.

3.   to request the Fairtrade Foundation to deliver a presentation at the 2020 Congress.

11.10  Motion 64, Stop Trump, was moved by Margot Hill (NEC) and seconded by Alan Whitaker (Southern retired members branch).

Motion 64 was CARRIED:

Trump's visit Congress notes that Donald Trump is set to return to the UK at some point in 2019.

His previous visit in July 2018 was met with mass demonstrations.

Since then Trump has partially shut down the US government to force through funding of his racist 'border wall'.

Trump is a racist and misogynist who has given confidence to the racist and fascist right from those who marched in Charlottesville (where anti-racist Heather Heyer was murdered) to Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson) in the UK, some of whose supporters are trying to organise on our campuses as well as trying to rehabilitate racist ideological justifications such as 'scientific racism'.

Congress opposes any state visit here, calls on Theresa May to withdraw any such invitation to Trump, and supports any broad-based protests called against his visit.

11.11  Motion 65, Venezuela, was moved by Nita Sanghera (vice-president) and seconded by Martin Levy (Northumbria University).

Laura Loyola-Hernandez (University of Leeds) proposed withdrawal of point d. of motion 65.Ìý

Yusef Deeni (Abertay University) and Josh Robinson (Cardiff University), spoke in the debate.

Point d. of motion 65 was voted on separately. The vote was counted. Point d. was LOST (for: 88, against: 98).Ìý

Motion 65, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.   the Tory government's support for the Trump administration's policy of 'regime change' in Venezuela, illegal under international law.

2.   comments from Trump and others have included threats of military action and supported attempts at a right-wing military coup.

3.   the US sanctions ('economic warfare') on Venezuela, which the UN estimates have already killed around 140,000 people.

Congress believes:

a.   Venezuela's future is for Venezuelans to determine.

b.   Venezuelan oil is the key motivating factor for the US and supporting nations.

c.    US interventions have a bloody history in Latin America, including previous US-backed coups and military juntas such as in Chile under Pinochet.

Congress resolves:

i)    to campaign against U.S. intervention in Venezuela for 'regime change' and against UK support for this.

ii)  Ìýto invite a speaker from the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign to a future event.

iii) Ìýto affiliate to the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign.

11.12  John James (Coleg Gwent Newport) moved remittance of motion 66, 51¸£Àû legal scheme should provide legal consultation opportunity, which was seconded by Adam Ozanne (NEC). ÌýPat Roche (Anti-casualisation committee) moved amendment 66A.1 and spoke against remittance of the motion. The amendment was seconded by Jessica Jacobs (Queen Mary University of London):

Add at end of the second paragraph, after 'within 21 days':

Casualisation or equal pay claims are often complex, and inadequately covered by the statutory provision at present. Casualised workers may not be aware of legal support available to them, due to either perceptions of ineligibility or lack of access to union campaigns and resources.

Add new paragraph at the end:

Congress resolves that the legal scheme regulations be revised to provide targeted support specifically for casualised members taking pay claims and discrimination claims under the part-time workers' regs.

Emma-Jane Phillips (NEC), Christina Paine (NEC), Gwen Vickers (New City College (Redbridge)), Kamie Kitmitto (University of Manchester) and Justine Mercer (NEC), spoke in the debate.

Helen Carr, national head of equality and participation, replied to questions.

A vote on remittance of motion 66 needed a count (for: 115, against: 89).Ìý Motion 66 was REMITTED: Ìý

Congress notes for employment cases members first need to provide a written to address.

Congress notes a lawyer provides an initial assessment of the claim based on the written information provided within 21 days.

Congress believes that although the regulations state that 51¸£Àû lawyers may want to interview members before preparing the initial assessment, this is in fact exceedingly rare.

Congress believes members and supporting staff/caseworkers, not being legally qualified, are not always able to provide all the information needed for an accurate initial assessment by lawyers.

Congress believes members are being frustrated by the process because of the lack of two-way conversation about case details.

Congress resolves to request NEC to require 51¸£Àû legal scheme regulations be revised for employment cases so members can request a 30 minute interview with the lawyer preparing the initial assessment.

11.13  Motion 67, Breach of human rights, was moved by Jan Koene (Sutton College of Learning Adults) on behalf of the London regional committee.Ìý Deepa Govindarajan Driver (University of Reading), Gwen Vickers (New City College (Redbridge)), Tim Barrett (Academic related, professional staff committee), Margot Hill (NEC) and Christina Paine (NEC), spoke in the debate.

ÌýÌýÌý Motion 67 was CARRIED:

'Austerity' is about transferring wealth from the poorest in society to the richest. Initiating and implementing this policy, the Conservative government declared war on the British working class.

This has led to 120,000 premature deaths per annum; 1 in every 120 people rendered homeless; the cutting or withholding of benefits through Universal Credit leading in some cases to suicide and the decimation of vital public services. These cuts particularly affect women and the disabled.

This government is guilty of a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the World Conference on Human Rights (June 1993) Vienna declaration.

Congress therefore resolves to initiate a public Civil Crimes Tribunal to investigate these crimes. Material gathered by the tribunal will be made publicly available and blame will be attributed to those responsible. A summative report will confirm culpability and will seek public proposals as to appropriate retributive justice.

11.14  Motion 68, Monitoring of electronic communications, was moved by Alison Gaughan (Kirklees College) on behalf of the Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee.Ìý

ÌýÌýÌý Motion 68 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that staff and students in FE and HE institutions are being increasingly monitored by their management through the use of external IT companies e.g. ESafe. These third parties capture not only e-mails and web use but any document that is stored on a device plugged into a college/University machine. These files are searched for key terms and any document considered suspect is returned to human resources.

Congress believes:

1.ÌýÌý that this practice is both legally questionable and intrusive

2.ÌýÌý staff and students have a right to privacy

3.Ìý confidentiality in respect of pastoral work with students and for union casework must be respected and protected.

Congress resolves that 51¸£Àû will:

a.ÌýÌý demand greater transparency on these practices

b.ÌýÌý investigate the legality of the use of data in this way

c.ÌýÌý initiate, on behalf of branches, legal or other challenges to these practices.

11.15  Motion 69, Use of non-disclosure agreements in HE/FE, was moved by Mike Lammiman (University of Hull).Ìý Amendment 69A.1 was moved by Janet Farrar (NEC) on behalf of The Manchester College:

Final paragraph, after 'Congress hereby', delete 'calls upon FE and HE institutions in the UK to publish aggregated information on the use of NDAs annually'; replace with 'calls on 51¸£Àû to put in an annual Freedom of Information request and publish information on the use of NDAs'.

Rhiannon Lockley (NEC), Sean Wallis (NEC), Eleni Michalopoulou (NEC), Des Turner (Ruskin College), Elane Heffernan (NEC) and Christina Paine (NEC), spoke in the debate.

ÌýÌýÌý Amendment 69A.1 was CARRIED.Ìý Motion 69, as amended, was CARRIED:

ÌýÌýÌý Congress notes:

1.Ìý the use by the universities and colleges of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to facilitate the departure of members of staff from their Institution in cases including allegations of bullying and/or harassment

2.Ìý that these agreements prevent staff from pursuing justice through external means and thereby protects against reputational damage to the institution

3.Ìý that these agreements often do not resolve the underlying issues hidden behind the use of the NDAs, which remain to potentially adversely affect the working conditions of the remaining staff.

Congress hereby calls on 51¸£Àû to put in an annual Freedom of Information request and publish information on the use of NDAs, to include: the numbers used; the area of the institution the members of staff subjected to them worked in; and the cumulative annual value of the monies paid out within them.

11.16  Motion 70, Discrimination against workers and the use of non-disclosure agreements, was moved by Blaise Nkwenti-Azeh (University of Manchester) on behalf of the Black members’ standing committee.Ìý Douglas Chalmers (president elect), Jessica Jacobs (Queen Mary University of London) and Victoria Showunmi (NEC), spoke in the debate.

Motion 70 was CARRIED:

Congress notes the revelations regarding the unfair pay and limited career opportunities of black women exposed in the Guardian, the BBC and 51¸£Àû led research. Daily micro-aggressions lead to a situation where race discrimination leaves many black workers fearful for their job prospects and deeply dissatisfied at work. Workers often exit employment under such conditions only to find themselves bound by non-disclosure agreements which mask the scale of the problems associated with discrimination.

It is also of note that FOI requests were needed to tease out the relevant data. It was this route used by the BBC to uncover pay scale inequality in Russell Group institutions.

Congress calls on the NEC to:

1.ÌýÌýÌý formally oppose the practice of NDAs and organise support at branches

2.ÌýÌýÌý campaign against this practice including, where possible, raising this at casework training

3.ÌýÌýÌý gather data of the numbers of race discrimination cases settled with an NDA.

11.17  Congress ADOPTED the report of the strategy and finance committee.

FOURTH SESSION OF CONGRESS, MONDAY AFTERNOON, 27 MAY

Douglas Chalmers (president elect) was in the chair.

12         SECTION 5: INTERIM REPORT OF THE DEMOCRACY COMMISSION, AND RULE CHANGES taken in private session

12.1     Motion 76, Interim report of the democracy commission, was moved by Vicky Blake (NEC) and Elane Heffernan (NEC).Ìý Justine Mercer (NEC), Joanna de Groot (NEC), Hazel Raven (Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee) and Julie Wilkinson (Manchester Metropolitan University), spoke in the debate.

Motion 76 was CARRIED:

Congress adopts the interim report of the democracy commission as set out in , including recommendations other than rule changes (rule changes to be voted on separately).

12.2     Motion 77, Branch delegates, was moved by Sean Wallis (NEC) on behalf of University College London and seconded formally.Ìý Denis Nicole (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 77 was CARRIED by a two-thirds majority:

In Rule 17.2, remove 'up to a maximum of six members' where it appears with respect to congress and sector conference entitlements.

12.3     Moving motion 78, Restoring the democratic mandate of 51¸£Àû Congress, Catherine Pope (University of Southampton) proposed that paragraphs two and three of the motion be withdrawn.

A large number of delegates having moved to the front of the hall, Douglas Chalmers (president elect) requested that delegates take their seats.Ìý Marion Hersh (NEC) raised a point of information.Ìý Douglas Chalmers (president elect) and Alan Barker (University of Nottingham), chair of the Congress business committee, responded.Ìý The chair suspended Congress for 10 minutes.Ìý The chair reminded Congress that there should be no tweeting or other use of social media in respect of the private session.

Douglas Chalmers (president elect) proposed that the withdrawal of paragraphs two and three be decided by Congress.Ìý A point of order was raised by Mandy Brown (NEC). Douglas Chalmers (president elect) responded.

The motion was seconded by Denis Nicole (NEC).Ìý Mandy Brown (NEC), Jo Grady (University of Sheffield), Elane Heffernan (NEC), Elizabeth Lawrence (Yorkshire and Humberside retired members branch), Rhiannon Lockley (Birmingham City University) and Elaine White (NEC), spoke in the debate.

Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield) moved that the question now be put.

Mike Lammiman (University of Hull) and Catherine Pope (University of Southampton), spoke in the debate.

Motion 78 was LOST.

Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield) moved the suspension of standing orders for motions 83, 84 and 85 to now be taken.Ìý This was CARRIED.

12.4     Motion 83, Rule change: inclusion of migration status in rule 2.5, was moved by Michael Kyriacou (University of East Anglia) and seconded by Dima Chami (Leeds University).

Motion 83 was CARRIED by a two-thirds majority:

Aims and objects, rule 2.5, 'to oppose actively all forms of harassment, prejudice...' - after 'disability, age,' add 'migration status'.

12.5     Motions 84, Rule change: Inclusion of migrant representatives in the equality structures, and 85, Rule change: Inclusion of migrant representatives in NEC, were taken in the same debate and moved by Laura Loyola-Hernandez (University of Leeds) and seconded by Dave Muritu (NEC).Ìý

Amendment 85A.1 was moved formally:

End of proposed new rule 18.11.4, delete 'and can remain on the committee for three years after receiving ILR'.

Motion 84 was CARRIED with a two-thirds majority:

Rule 23.1 (equality standing committees), first sentence, delete 'four', replace with 'five'. After 'iv. Women Members' Standing Committee (WMC);', add new point v. '.v. Migrant Members' Standing Committee (MMC)'.

Rule 23.2 (annual equality conferences), first sentence, delete 'four', replace with 'five'.

Amendment 85A.1 was CARRIED. Motion 85, as amended, was CARRIED with a two-thirds majority:

Add new rule 18.11.4:

18.11.4 There will be two National Executive Committee seats for representatives of migrant members, at least one of whom shall be a non-EU migrant member. Candidates for election to these seats must state they are a migrant member.

Renumber existing rule 18.11.4 and subsequent rules, and any subsequent references to these rules, as necessary.

Rule 19.6 (Scheduling of biennial elections) First sentence, change '18.11.3' to '18.11.4'. After 'representatives of LGTBQ+ members', delete 'and', replace with comma; after 'representatives of black members', add 'and two representatives of migrant members'.

Rule 19.7, delete '18.11.3', replace with '18.11.4'.

Rule 20.5 (counting order for NEC elections): after "ix. Representatives of black members;" add "x. Representatives of migrant members;" re-number existing points x-xiii as xi-xiv.

12.6     Marion Hersh (NEC) proposed the suspension of Congress standing orders to take motions 87 and 93 next.Ìý Suspension of Congress standing orders was LOST.Ìý

12.7     Suspension of Congress standing orders was proposed by Sean Wallis (NEC) to take motions 80 and 82 next.Ìý Suspension of Congress standing orders was CARRIED.

12.8     Elane Heffernan (NEC) and Vicky Blake (NEC) proposed remittance of motion 80, Rule change (democracy commission recommendation 2).Ìý

Motion 80 was REMITTED:

Congress approves recommendation 2 of the democracy commission's interim report, rule change: delegation of general secretary powers.

Delete rule 28.2:

28.2 The General Secretary may delegate any power or duty of, or allocated to, the General Secretary under these Rules to another employee of the Union as the General Secretary shall determine.

Replace with:

28.2 The General Secretary may delegate any power or duty of, or allocated to, the General Secretary under these Rules in the following ways:

28.2.1 Those which relate to negotiations or representation of the Union shall be delegated to the President and President Elect.

28.2.2 Those relating to day to day running of the union, or pertaining to employees, or other matters not connected to negotiations and representation of the NEC/union may be delegated to another employee of the Union as the General Secretary shall determine.

12.9     Motion 82, Rule change (democracy commission recommendation 6), was moved by Sean Wallis (NEC) and seconded by Elane Heffernan (NEC).Ìý Michael Carley (NEC) and Alison Chapman (NEC), spoke in the debate.

A vote on motion 82 needed a count.Ìý A two-thirds majority not having voted in favour motion of 82, motion 82 was LOST.

12.10  The interim report of the Democracy Commission was ADOPTED.

12.11  Congress REMITTED all motions remaining on the agenda to the NEC (motions 19-23, 29-31, 71-75, 79, 81, 86-95).

Vicky Knight (president) was in the chair.

13         CLOSING BUSINESS

13.1     Election results

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý The chair announced the following election results:

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Appeals Panel:

Sharon Broer (West Midlands regional committee)

The results of other ballots conducted at Congress (Congress business committee, national negotiators, USS Superannuation Working Group) would be made available to members as soon as possible following Congress.

13.2    The President called on Congress to welcome the incoming President Douglas Chalmers. The incoming President addressed Congress and thanked the staff at the Harrogate Convention Centre, the Congress business committee and 51¸£Àû staff.Ìý He thanked Vicky Knight for her chairing of Congress and delegates for their contribution.