51福利/2130听 May 2024听

University and College Union

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

To听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Branch and local association secretaries

Topic听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Unconfirmed minutes of 51福利 Congress, 27 and 29 May 2023

Action听听听听听听听听听听听 For information; for adoption at Congress 2024

Summary 听听听听听 Minutes of 51福利 Congress meeting held 27 and 29 May 2023

Contact听听听听听听听听听 Catherine Wilkinson, head of democratic services (cwilkinson@ucu.org.uk)

Meeting of the Congress of the

University and College Union (51福利)

Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow

27 and 29 May 2023

FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS, SATURDAY MORNING, 27 MAY

OPENING BUSINESS

1 WELCOME AND ADDRESS FROM JANET FARRAR, PRESIDENT

1.1 Janet Farrar, president and chair of Congress, welcomed delegates and addressed Congress.听

1.2 The chair reminded colleagues of 51福利 guidance on expectation of 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� conduct and Congress standing order 36.听 The chair read out a statement from the Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee on access and inclusion.

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 and third reports of the Congress business committee set out in 51福利/2091 and 51福利/2091B.听

2.2 Dyfrig Jones (CBC, Bangor University) moved that motions 28 and 29 be removed from the agenda.听 The proposal was LOST.

2.3 Sean Vernell (City and Islington College) moved that B7 (an amendment ruled out of order) be ordered onto the agenda.听 The proposal was CARRIED.

2.4 Marian Mayer (NEC and chair of the Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee) raised a point of information about access and inclusion issues. The chair responded.

2.5 Marian Mayer (NEC) moved that a late motion submitted by Southern regional committee be ordered onto the agenda.听 The chair of CBC responded.听

2.6 Sean Wallis (NEC) moved that B6 (an amendment to motion 8 ruled out of order) be ordered onto the agenda. The proposal was CARRIED.

2.7 Chris Pritchard (Nottingham Trent University) raised a point of information.

2.8 Derek Mitchell (Croydon College) moved that motion 82 be brought forward on the agenda. The proposal was CARRIED.听 Joanna de Groot (NEC) raised a point of information.

2.9 Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield) moved that the vote on motion 31 be taken before the vote on motion 30.听 The proposal was CARRIED.

2.10 Christina Paine (London Metropolitan University) moved that motion B10 be ordered onto the Congress agenda as part of a composite motion.听 The chair of CBC and president responded.

2.11 The reports of the Congress business committee were ADOPTED.

3 MINUTES

3.1 The minutes of Congress 1 and 3 June 2022 set out in 51福利/2089 were ADOPTED.

3.2听听听 The president reminded delegates that 51福利 was an active union across the four home nations. Some of the motions for debate applied across the UK, others may not. Movers were advised to be specific where possible, and branches encouraged to bear in mind the impact of devolution when drafting their motions.

4 BUSINESS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

4.1 Motion 1, Defending and Promoting post-16 Education, was moved by Maria Chondrogianni (NEC) and seconded by Kevin Dawes (Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee). Sean Vernell (City and Islington College) spoke in the debate.

Motion 1 was CARRIED:

Congress notes current work of the Education Committee on:

1. access to all types of post compulsory education

2. Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs)

3. Class as a defining factor for post-16 education students and staff

4. the professional needs of staff.

It urges the committee to continue and develop work which will:

a. defend and enhance access to post compulsory education and a good post-compulsory admission system for HE;

b. promote reform of student funding and challenge government attacks on that funding

c. resist attacks on post 16 arts programmes which would deny students the chance to develop their skills and employability

d. oppose attempts to restrict staff and student freedoms to teach and learn using dishonest and repressive ideas of academic freedom

e. build support for staff facing professional disadvantages and discrimination

f. develop our commitment to education and climate change

g. continue our successful Cradle to Grave events.

4.2 Motion 2, Student support, was moved by Mike Larkin (Scottish retired 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� branch) and seconded by an unnamed delegate.听

Motion 2 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

The evidence that students across the UK are facing a deepening financial crisis is mounting fast. Several surveys across the UK, including the National Union of Students, reveal the widespread extent of the problem. This is impacting the ability of students to study effectively and widens further the generational inequality. The NUS student cost of living report of September 2022 concluded, 鈥淯nless government and the sector takes action, further and higher education will become closed once again to all but the most 鈥榯ypical鈥� and privileged鈥�.

Congress urges:

51福利 to review its existing student policies regarding finance, equality and widening participation. In addition, 51福利 should review the evidence, identify any shortfall in its position, and work more closely with the National Union of Students across the UK to ensure implementation of the necessary changes over the next three years.

4.3 Motion 3, Training for jobs to tackle the climate emergency, was moved by Merilyn Moos (London retired 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� branch) and seconded by Marion Hersh (NEC).

Motion 3 was CARRIED:

Congress demands that the Government fully fund courses within the post-16 education sector to train for jobs which will materially contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other causes of global warming.

51福利 will:

1. 听听 Support involvement by branches given the potential impacts on teaching jobs.

2. 听听 Call for the establishment of Retrofit Taskforces at local and regional level with 51福利 representation to ensure a worker voice on skills development

3. 听听 Work with the Greener Jobs Alliance and other union organisations to publish guidance and pilot courses that will equip 51福利 Green Reps and Branches to intervene effectively around retrofit and energy efficiency policies.

4.4 The report of the Education committee was ADOPTED by Congress.

5 BUSINESS OF THE STRATEGY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE TAKEN IN OPEN SESSION

5.1 Motion 4, International solidarity and cooperation, was moved by Joanna de Groot (NEC) and seconded by Umit Yildiz (University of Manchester).

Motion 4 was CARRIED:

Congress recognises the benefits of a strong international dimension to 51福利's work and the value of working in conjunction with Education International, TUC and the solidarity organisations with which we affiliate.

Congress welcomes international activities and campaigns to defend workers and students at risk in countries such as Palestine, Colombia, Turkey and Iran as well as new global and European trade union campaigns to increase funding for public education and to raise the status of education workers.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Congress recognises the value of mutual learning from international union partners in areas like collective bargaining, education policy and equality and believes that the climate and cost-of-living crises strengthen the case for international cooperation and solidarity between trade unions.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Congress calls on NEC to continue to engage members, branches and regions in practical international work, including the use of webinars, e-actions and solidarity actions and visits.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

5.2 Motion 5, Stop the War in Ukraine 鈥� peace now, was moved by Sean Vernell (City and Islington College) and seconded by Mark Abel (NEC).

Amendment 5A.1 was moved by Chloe Wallace (University of Leeds):

Delete point 5 under Congress notes

In 鈥榖鈥� add, after 鈥楻ussian troops out鈥�, 'self-determination for Ukraine'

In 鈥榗鈥� delete 鈥榦rdinary鈥�

In 鈥榚鈥� add, after 鈥榓 peaceful resolution鈥�, 鈥榖ased on freedom and independence for 鲍办谤补颈苍别鈥�

In 鈥榠鈥� delete 鈥榓nd for government to stop arming 鲍办谤补颈苍别鈥�

In 鈥榠i鈥� add at end 'acceptable to the Ukrainian people'

Delete bullet point iii

Phil Baker (Loughborough College), Elizabeth Lawrence (Yorkshire and Humberside retired 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� branch), Renee Prendergast (Northern Ireland Council), Philippa Browning (NEC), Jessica Kent (University of Sheffield), Helen Kelsall (NEC), Lucia Pradella (KCL), Bijan Parsia (NEC) and Ann Swinney (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Amendment 5A.1 was LOST (113 for; 146 against; 28 abstentions).听 Motion 5 was CARRIED (130 for; 121 against; 37 abstentions):

Congress notes:

1.听 One year after the brutal invasion, Ukraine has become a battleground for Russian and US imperialism.

2.听 It is estimated that 150,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and 200,000 Russian soldiers have died since invasion.

3.听 Putin has threatened the use of nuclear weapons and unleashed war crimes.

4.听 The 2022 NATO summit committed to a US military base in Poland, a brigade in Romania, air missile systems in Italy and Germany and two additional F-35 squadrons in Britain.

5.听 Volodymyr Zelensky says he wants Ukraine to become a 鈥渂ig Israel鈥濃€攁n armed, illiberal outpost of US imperialism.

Congress believes:

a.听 Wars are fought by the poor and unemployed of one country killing and maiming the poor and unemployed of another.

b.听 We should say, 鈥淩ussian troops out, no to NATO escalation and expansion.鈥�

c.听听 We should stand in solidarity with ordinary Ukrainians and demand an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops.

d.听 NATO is not a progressive force: escalation risks widening war in the region.

e.听 Only through a peaceful resolution can lives be saved.

Resolves:

i.听听 51福利 to call upon Russian to withdraw its troops and for government to stop arming Ukraine.

ii.听 51福利 to call for a peaceful resolution to the war.

iii. Congress resolves to support protests called by Stop The War, CND and other anti-war organisations.

5.3 Motion 6, Solidarity with Ukraine: supporting education and humanitarian work, was moved by Vicky Blake (immediate past president) and seconded by John Fones (NEC).听 Sam Morecroft (University of Sheffield International College) and Arthur Kaletzky (University of Cambridge) spoke in the debate.

Motion 6 was CARRIED:

颁辞苍驳谤别蝉蝉:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

1. Condemns Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine

2. Recognises 鲍办谤补颈苍别鈥檚 right to self determination鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

3. Notes courageous work of Russian anti-war activists and journalists despite state oppression and personal risk鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

4. Condemns all manifestations of imperialism

5. Reaffirms 51福利鈥檚 commitments to international solidarity; protecting human rights, workers鈥� rights, education for all; defending and promoting rights of all displaced people, all fleeing conflict

Congress resolves to:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Campaign for:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

a. The UK government to waive visa restrictions and provide safe routes for鈥痑ll鈥痳efugees and asylum seekers

b. Full college / university scholarships for all refugees and asylum seekers

c. Cancellation of 鲍办谤补颈苍别鈥檚 national debt

Task the International Working Group to:

i. Develop, and widely publicise programmes of practical solidarity work based on this motion and 51福利鈥檚 humanitarian and education policies, including online meetings inviting Ukrainian trade unionists and feminists鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

ii. Foster links to support international labour movement activists, educators, and students鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

iii. Support Russian workers, educators, students and activists who oppose war.

5.4 Motion 7, Solidarity with Palestine, motion 8, Israeli Oppression and the Right to Boycott, and motion 9, Palestinian solidarity and the threat to critical opinion, were taken in the same debate.听 Motion 7 was moved by Eurig Scandrett (51福利 Scotland) and seconded by Anne Caldwell (University of Aberdeen).

听听听听 Amendment 7A.1 was withdrawn.

Greg Barnett, Head of bargaining, organising, representation and operations, read the following statement to Congress:

The Union has previously followed advice from Leading Counsel that it would be unlawful and beyond the powers of the union to call for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. 51福利鈥檚 existing policy is one of support for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) and its implementation within the constraints of the existing law (Congress motion 31, 2010). The wording in this clause (motion 8, clause i) characterises a position of calling for boycott of Israeli academic institutions, which the union cannot implement.

In addition, stating that employees cannot be made to undertake actions which contradict their beliefs is not a legally correct assertion and could, in certain circumstances, result in members breaching their contracts of employment which it would be unlawful for 51福利 to call for and potentially negligent of the union to suggest would be defensible by members.

Motion 8 was moved by Kevin Biderman (University of Brighton).听 Sean Wallis (NEC) seconded motion 8 and moved amendment B6 on behalf of the London regional committee:

Add new Congress Resolves 鈥榠鈥� - 鈥渋. remind members of 51福利 policy supporting boycott of Israeli academic institutions, and that employees must have the freedom to decline to collaborate according to their beliefs;鈥� and renumber.

Motion 9 was moved by Juliana Ojinnaka (NEC) on behalf of the Black 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee and seconded by Marion Hersh (NEC).

Amendment 9A.1 was moved by Mike Barton (London retired 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� branch)

Add to Congress Notes

4. 听 The importance of campaigns like the Big Ride for Palestine both in building Palestinian solidarity and raising funds for children鈥檚 sports activities in Palestine.

Add to Congress resolves:

iv. To support, and encourage 51福利 members to join or support, the Big Ride for Palestine鈥檚 South Wales ride in August 2023.

Motion 7 was CARRIED:

This year commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, when 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes by Zionist militia in the establishment of the State of Israel. For 75 years, Israel has denied refugees the right of return, in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 194.

51福利 notes with concern the continuing escalation of violence and repression against the Palestinians during this year.

51福利 reaffirms its commitment to policies in support of the Palestinian struggle against settler colonisation, including supporting the campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, and against the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.

Amendment B6 was CARRIED. The chair informed Congress that amendment B6 was void and of no effect.

Motion 8 was CARRIED:听

Congress notes

1. intensifying and murderous pressure to drive Palestinians from Jerusalem and the West Bank, further colonising Palestine, and the continuing blockade of Gaza;

2. plans to annex the illegally occupied territories;

3. conditions of Palestinians caused Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, 叠鈥橳蝉别濒尘 and the UN to declare the situation a form of apartheid;

4. UK Government鈥檚 introduction of an anti-BDS Bill, pursuing its Israel alliance, proscribing boycott unless sanctioned by Government policy.

Congress believes that

a. civil society boycotts have an honourable tradition from anti-slavery campaigns through boycotts of Nazi trade to isolation of Apartheid South Africa;

b. the anti-BDS Bill, together with bans on environmental protest and anti-union laws, is an attempt to suppress civil solidarity and resistance.

Congress resolves to

i. fully support the Right to Boycott campaign.

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

Congress notes听

1. The Tuck report in which the NUS is accused of antisemitism through its pro-Palestine stances.听

2. The conflation of support with Palestinians or critique of Israeli policies being described as Antisemitism听

3. The current Israeli government鈥檚 designation of Palestinian human rights organisations designated as 'terrorist' and the attempts in the UK to close down critique of Israel through Prevent, IHRA and rendering BDS unlawful

4. The importance of campaigns like the Big Ride for Palestine both in building Palestinian solidarity and raising funds for children鈥檚 sports activities in Palestine.

Congress believes this compounds

a. systematic discrimination against Palestinians in Palestine and critical academics and students in particular in the UK

b. the isolation of Palestinian universities and undermining higher education

Congress resolves:

i. For the NEC to report on the moral and political consequences of Israeli policies with regards to the attack on academic freedom.

ii. Authorise all appropriate action from branches to protect students and staff who find themselves under attack for supporting the cause of the Palestinian people

iii. Reaffirm 51福利 policy on BDS

iv. To support, and encourage 51福利 members to join or support, the Big Ride for Palestine鈥檚 South Wales ride in August 2023.

5.5 Motion 10, Stop the war in Sudan - Refugees welcome, was moved by Mark Abel (NEC) and seconded by Anne Alexander (University of Cambridge).

Motion 10 was CARRIED:

Congress notes the devastation caused by war in Sudan. Civilians are paying the price for the military struggle to control the country鈥檚 government and resources.

Congress believes foreign powers, including the British government, contributed to this conflict by pressing Sudanese democratic forces to negotiate power-sharing agreements with the warring military and militia generals. Regional states allied to Britain, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Israel have fuelled the crisis through support to the combatants.

Congress further believes that Britain has an obligation to provide safe, legal routes for Sudanese citizens to seek asylum in Britain. Many British citizens of Sudanese origin have faced the agony of seeing family members trapped by this conflict.

Congress resolves to support NEC, BMSC and branches in working with MENA Solidarity, other trade unions and Sudanese organisations to:

1 Host an emergency solidarity event

2 Lobby parliamentarians

3 Publicise solidarity actions to members

5.6 Motion 11, Fighting punitive ASOS deductions, was moved by Zara Dinnen (Queen Mary, University of London) and seconded by Chloe Wallace (University of Leeds).

Amendment 11A.1 was moved by Gordon McKelvie (University of Winchester):

Add to Congress resolves

c. 听 To work with the TUC and other trade unions to campaign for a change to the law to prevent such deductions, including lobbying government and opposition parties

Amendment 11A.2 was moved by Peter Wood (Open University) on behalf of the Anti-casualisation committee:

Add new point at end of Congress notes:

That the punitive ASOS deductions will have a disproportionate impact on all 51福利 members employed on casualised contracts

Add new point at end of Congress resolves:

To give the maximum financial support possible to 51福利 members on casualised contracts during their participation in ASOS

Amendments 11A.1 and 11A.2 were CARRIED.听 Motion 11, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. Employer threats to make punitive deductions for ASOS;

2. The need to respond robustly through industrial, political, and legal means;

3. The important campaigning and legal work carried out by branches in challenging deductions;

4. The decision by many members to decline to declare their participation in industrial action when faced with such threats;

5. The support shown by the union to Queen Mary members through the fighting fund following the implementation of deductions;

6. That the punitive ASOS deductions will have a disproportionate impact on all 51福利 members employed on casualised contracts.

Congress resolves:

a. To develop a legal strategy to challenge deductions which extends beyond breach of contract to incorporate arguments about human rights, trade union detriment, and blacklisting;

b. To commit to provide strike pay to members in branches who receive 100% ASOS deductions, on a comparable scale to that provided to Queen Mary members in 2022.

c. To work with the TUC and other trade unions to campaign for a change to the law to prevent such deductions, including lobbying government and opposition parties

d. To give the maximum financial support possible to 51福利 members on casualised contracts during their participation in ASOS

SECOND SESSION OF CONGRESS, SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 27 MAY

6 ADDRESS BY DR JO GRADY, GENERAL SECRETARY

51福利 general secretary, Dr Jo Grady, addressed Congress.

The president thanked the general secretary for her address.

7 BUSINESS OF THE STRATEGY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TAKEN IN PRIVATE SESSION

Marion Mayer (NEC) and Patricia Roche (Women 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee) challenged the ordering of motions and amendments in the name of the Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee.听 The president and chair of CBC responded.听

7.1 Motion 21, Appointment of auditors, motion 22, Financial statements, motion 23, Budget 2023-23, and motion 24, subscription rates, were moved by Steve Sangwine (honorary treasurer).

Matthew West (University of Exeter), Sam Marsh (University of Sheffield) and John James (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 21 was CARRIED:

Congress approves the appointment of Knox Cropper as the union鈥檚 auditors for the year ending 31 August 2023.

Motion 22 was CARRIED:

Congress receives the union鈥檚 audited financial statements for the 12-month period ending 31 August 2022 as set out in 51福利/2074.

Motion 23 was CARRIED:

Congress endorses the budget for September 2023 鈥� August 2024 as set out in 51福利/2075.

Motion 24 was CARRIED:

Congress accepts the Treasurer's report on progress with the review of subscription rates and endorses the changes to subscription rates from 1 September 2023 set out in 51福利/2076.

7.2 Motion 25, Remove the cap on fighting fund payments, was moved by Marian Mayer (NEC) on behalf of the Southern regional committee and seconded by Gordon McKelvie (University of Winchester).

Steve Sangwine (honorary treasurer), Emma Battell Lowman (NEC), Ross Gibson (University of Strathclyde) and Robyn Orfitelli (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 25 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. that the marking and assessment boycott (MAB) on HE Four Fights dispute started on 20 April and was announced to members on 5 April.

2. and condemns the deductions proposed by various institutions which are totally out of proportion to the proportion of members' work involved in marking. This includes deductions up to 100% for an indefinite period.

Congress agrees:

a.听听 to remove the cap on Fighting Fund payments and to make the Fighting Fund available for all members experiencing deductions for involvement in MAB.

Congress instructs:

i.听听听 NEC to immediately implement this change to the Fighting Fund so members can receive the financial support they need to continue the action to win.

7.3 Motion 26, Fighting fund for casualised members, was moved by Daryl Hodge (University of Liverpool) and seconded by Peta Bulmer (NEC).

Joanna de Groot (NEC), Phillip Allsopp (University of Cardiff), Brian Hamilton (NEC) and Ben Pope (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 26 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.听听 That our casualised members (such as fixed term, part time, and hourly paid) are our most precarious colleagues

2.听听 That these colleagues are detrimentally financially impacted by taking part in industrial action and are more likely to be experiencing personal economic insecurity and hardship听

3.听听 That to win any dispute we must do our utmost to enable them to participate in industrial action听

Congress resolves:

a.听听 That our lower paid casualised members should have access to the central Fighting Fund from day 1 of industrial action听

b.听听 That the fighting fund application process is made more accessible to casualised members (e.g., reflecting inability to produce payslips with 鈥榙eductions鈥� on for hourly paid members)听

c.听听 That the union needs to review all such circumstances, with a view to ensuring equity of union support.

7.4 Motion 27, Reviewing and resourcing 51福利鈥檚 organising, was moved by Lorena Gazzotti (University of Cambridge) and seconded by Ellen Shobrook (University of Birmingham).

Amendment 27A.1 was moved by Marion Hersh (NEC):

Under Congress notes add point 5:

鈥橳rade union facility time is under increasing pressure from employers and many union representatives perform union work without adequate facility time.听 Some 51福利 members have inflexible work commitments and some reps need their work covered or duty reductions to make facility time meaningful.鈥�

Under Congress believes that, add point c:

'51福利 must not abandon but step up the fight for adequate facility time with cover鈥�.

Under Congress instructs the NEC to, add iv:

鈥楶rovide resources for and call on the GS to defend and improve existing facility time agreements and extend facility time with cover and duty reductions to union roles and members currently without facility time.鈥�

听听听听听听听听听 Amendment 27A.1 was CARRIED.听 Motion 27, as amended, was CARRIED:

听 Congress notes that:

1.听听 Escalations by 51福利 since 2018 have increased 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� participation, promoted radical demands, and created local campaigns;听

2.听听 Recommendation 3 in the 2018 report of the Commission on Effective Industrial Action prompted 51福利 to commit 鈥榬esources and building the organisational capacity of the union鈥�;

3.听听 Casualised staff and PGRs are also mobilised, yet constantly in precarity;

4.听听 Member-led unions with successful industrial actions are geared towards on-the-ground organising, like International Workers of Great Britain;

5.听听 Trade union facility time is under increasing pressure from employers and many union representatives perform union work without adequate facility time.听 Some 51福利 members have inflexible work commitments and some reps need their work covered or duty reductions to make facility time meaningful.

Congress believes that:

a.听听 It is necessary for 51福利 to invest more in organising to maximise participation.

b.听听 Casualised staff and PGRs should be prioritised in resource allocation.

c.听听 51福利 must not abandon but step up the fight for adequate facility time with cover.

Congress instructs the NEC to:

i.听听听 Conduct a consultation with branches to identify needs, gaps, and opportunities in 51福利 organising support;

ii.听听 Draft a strategy (to share with members) to address resource gaps identified in the consultation;

iii.听 Commit more resources to fill in the gaps identified in the consultation;

iv.听 Provide resources for and call on the GS to defend and improve existing facility time agreements and extend facility time with cover and duty reductions to union roles and members currently without facility time.

7.5 The president reminded Congress of the legal advice received by the union that the debate of motions 28 and 29 was not appropriate and posed a legal risk to 51福利 as an employer. Congress debate could not provide, and may prejudice, due process in respect of any allegation of misconduct, which all employees, including the general secretary, are entitled to have dealt with in accordance with their contractual arrangements.

CBC鈥檚 decision to order these motions was not unanimous.

The chair noted that general secretary had the same rights as any other employee to due process and a fair hearing if complaints are made about their conduct, a process agreed with the recognised staff union.听

The chair reminded delegates again of the information about 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� conduct that had been circulated. Delegates were reminded that as this was a private session.

Motion 28, Censure of 51福利 general secretary, was moved by Philip Allsopp (Cardiff University) and seconded by William Proctor (Bournemouth University).听 Motion 29, No confidence in the general secretary, was moved by John Parrington (University of Oxford) and seconded by Anna Morgan (Kingston University).听

Amendment 29A.1 was moved by Chris O鈥橠onnell (NEC) on behalf of University of West of Scotland and seconded formally:

Add notes:

6: 听 the behaviour of NEC towards the General Secretary, voting to stop her from reporting to them; forcing her to report directly to members.

7. 听 Congress Business Committee鈥檚 ignoring of legal advice around ordering this motion onto the agenda, which constitutes a dereliction of duty towards 51福利鈥檚 staff.

Amend final sentence:

Congress resolves that it has no confidence in the General Secretary, the NEC or Congress Business Committee.

听听听听听听听听听 Justine Mercer (president elect), Rhian Keyse (NEC), Chris Pritchard (Nottingham Trent University), Linda Moore (NEC), Maxine Looby (vice president) and Regine Pilling (NEC) spoke in the debate.

听听听听听听听听听 Ann Gow (NEC) proposed remittance of motions 28 and 29.听 An unnamed delegate raised a point of information and the president responded.听

听听听听听听听听听 Sam Morecroft (University of Sheffield International College) spoke in the debate.听 The president asked Sam Morecroft to withdraw and apologise for a statement made in relation to the president elect.听 The statement was not withdrawn and Sam Morecroft was asked to leave the Congress meeting until the debate concluded.

听听听听听听听听听 Stefano Cremonesi (Durham University) suggested that a transcript of Congress business be made available. 听The chair responded.

听听听听听听听听听 Mark Taylor-Batty (University of Leeds), Phil Baker (Loughborough College) spoke in the debate.听 Alan Barker (University of Nottingham), chair Congress business committee, raised a point of order.听听Anne Alexander (University of Glasgow) also spoke in the spoke.听听听听听听听听

听听听听听听听听听 The general secretary responded to Congress.

听听听听听听听听听 Marion Mayer (NEC) raised a point of order/information in relation to the statement read out at the beginning of Congress from the disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee.听 The chair responded.听

听听听听听听听听听 An unnamed delegate spoke about the length of the general secretary鈥檚 response to Congress.听 The president responded.

听听听听听听听听听 Remittance of motion 28 was LOST.听

听听听听听听听听听 Remittance of motion 29 was LOST.

听听听听听听听听听 Motion 28 was CARRIED (155 for; 117 against; 21 abstentions):

Congress notes:

1. delays in balloting and then notifying employers of industrial action in the 2022-23 dispute repeated failings of 51福利 the previous year.

2. the decision by the General Secretary to agree with UCEA to pause the industrial action ending intensive dispute resolution talks without consultation with negotiators or the HEC, excluding elected lay negotiators in the ACAS talks

3. the failure to call the BDM agreed by the 12/11/2022 HEC

4. the paused negotiations without a significant offer on the Four Fights.

Congress believes:

a. the pause was a tactical mistake which could lose the dispute

b. 51福利 General Secretary's public statements opposing HEC decisions weakened members belief in the union leadership鈥檚 commitment and undermined negotiators鈥� role, again repeating the lack of democratic responsibility in the previous year

c. members' democratic control must be at the heart of 51福利's industrial strategy

d. members decisions at 51福利 Congress, sector conferences and HEC must not be undermined if members are to have confidence in the leadership of our union

e. delays in balloting and calling industrial action all undermined our industrial action's effectiveness.

Congress resolves to:

i. reaffirm the sovereignty of Congress, sector conference and NEC/HEC decisions.

ii. to censure the General Secretary for her actions in excluding elected lay negotiators, pausing the strike action, undermining 51福利's democracy and undermining our disputes.

iii. require, and seek assurance, that the GS abide by democratic decision making and processes in 51福利.

听听听听听听听听听 Amendment 29A.1 was LOST. 听 Motion 29 was LOST (119 for; 146 against; 34 abstentions).

7.6 Motion 30, Amendment to rule 13: description of disciplinary offences, motion 31, Amendment to rule 13: An elected conduct of members committee (CMC), and motion 32, Report of Commission to review Rule 13, 听were taken in the same debate and moved by Alan Barker (University of Nottingham) and seconded by Marian Mayer (NEC).听

Amendment 31A.1 was moved by Marian Mayer (NEC):

Delete final sentence of proposed rule 13.1.1

To delete the sentence beginning 鈥� The CMC has the option to co-opt additional members as necessary鈥�.鈥� and ending 鈥渄eemed to have relevant expertise鈥�.

Amendment 31A.2 was moved by Rebecca Harrison (Open University) and seconded by Rhian Keyse (NEC):

Replace 13.1.1 with:

13.1.1 It will establish a Conduct of Members Committee (CMC) for the purpose of managing the above. Thirty CMC members elected by Congress will include women, LGBT, Black, disabled, casualised, and migrant representatives. In gender-based violence and bullying complaints, panels will comprise 1 CMC member, and 2 members independent of 51福利 who are qualified in survivor-centred complaint investigation and resolution. The CMC has the option to co-opt additional members with relevant expertise as necessary.

Joanna de Groot (NEC), Marion Hersh (NEC), Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield), Sam Morecroft (University of Sheffield International College), Ryan Burns (University of Brighton) and Jo Edge (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Amendment 31A.1 was CARRIED. Amendment 31A.2 was CARRIED (92 for; 87 against; 38 abstentions).

Motion 31, as amended, was CARRIED (two-thirds majority required to pass):

Congress approves recommendation 2 of the report of the commission to review rule 13, Amendment to rule 13: An elected conduct of members committee (CMC):

Rule 13.1, add new paragraph 13.1.1 and 13.1.2

13.1.2 Rule 13.1.1 shall take effect on such a date as determined by the NEC when approving an amended process under rule 13 which includes the establishment and operation of the CMC. Those members who are at that time members of the Appeals Panel elected by Congress with become the Congress elected members of the CMC until the next meeting of Congress, when elections for all Congress elected members of the CMC will take place. This clause (13.1.2) shall be deleted at the close of Congress 2024.

Motion 30 was CARRIED (two-thirds majority required to pass):

Congress approves recommendation 1 of the report of the commission to review rule 13, Amendment to rule 13: description of disciplinary offences:

Rule 13.1, penultimate clause, delete 鈥榯o be in breach of the Rules or is deemed to be a matter of significant detriment to the interest of the Union.鈥�

Replace with 鈥榯o constitute a disciplinary offence鈥�.

Add new paragraph:

A member of the Union commits a disciplinary offence if that member: (a) acts contrary to the Rules of the Union; (b) is knowingly involved in any fraud on the Union or misappropriation of Union funds or property; (c) misuses protected data contrary to the Data Protection Act Licence of the Union; (d) frustrates any decision or penalty of the Conduct of Members Committee; or (e) in any other way engages in conduct which brings injury or discredit to the Union.

The amended rule will read:

The National Executive Committee shall (by the same procedure as it establishes its own Standing Orders) establish a procedure to censure; or bar a member from holding any office for a specified period not exceeding three years; or suspend from membership for a period not exceeding one year or expel a member from membership, if it finds their conduct to constitute a disciplinary offence.

Motion 32 was CARRIED:

Congress adopts the report of the commission to review rule 13 as set out in 51福利/2073 and approves recommendations 3-15 of that report.

8 RULE CHANGES TAKEN IN PRIVATE SESSION

8.1 Motion 42, Rule change: postgraduate researchers eligible for full membership regardless of employment status, was moved by Caleb Day (Durham University).

Justine Mercer (president elect) was in the chair.

听听听听听听听听听 Motion 42 was seconded by Lorena Gazzotti (University of Cambridge). Dyfrig Jones (Bangor University), Bijan Parsia (NEC) and Robyn Orfitelli (NEC) spoke in the debate.听 Ben Pope (NEC) proposed remittance of motion 42.

听听听听听听听听听 Remittance of motion 42 was LOST.听 Motion 42 was CARRIED (two-thirds majority required):

Add new 3.1.2:

3.1.2. Persons who are enrolled on (or prior to graduation from) postgraduate research programmes at institutions based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Renumber current 3.1.2 as 3.1.3.

Rule 3.1.3 (renumbered), replace 鈥榓 student 尘别尘产别谤鈥� with 鈥榓 member under Rule 3.1.2 or a student 尘别尘产别谤鈥�

听Amended Rule 3.1.3 (renumbered) will read:

3.1.3 Persons who have been (but are no longer eligible to remain) a member under Rule 3.1.1 and who become unemployed, or retire and no longer continue in qualifying employment, or have been (but are no longer eligible to remain) a member under Rule 3.1.2 or a student member provided they retain an active interest in Further Education/ Learning and Skills Sector or in Higher Education, and shall include those persons who were immediately prior to the effective date of the amalgamation of AUT and NATFHE (鈥榯he effective date鈥�), an attached or retired member of AUT or an associate member of NATFHE.

Renumber current 3.1.3 as 3.1.4.

Renumber current 3.1.4 as 3.1.5.

Rule 3.2.1, delete 鈥榖ut who are not currently eligible for membership鈥�.

Amended Rule 3.2.1 will read:

3.2.1 Students in training for qualifying employment;

Rule 3.2.2, delete 鈥�, but who are not currently eligible for membership鈥�.

Amended Rule 3.2.2 will read:

3.2.1 Postgraduate students who have declared their intention to pursue a career in qualifying employment.

Janet Farrar (president) was in the chair

8.2 Motion 43, Rule Change: Extending legal support to student members, was moved by Robyn Orfitelli (NEC) on behalf of the Migrant 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee and seconded by Dave Hitchcock (Canterbury Christ Church University). Claire Graf (University of Edinburgh) and Philippa Browning (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 43 was CARRIED (two-thirds majority required to pass):

Add 鈥渁nd student members鈥� to rule 4.5.

Amended rule would read:

Members qualifying for membership under rule 3.1 and paying the relevant subscription (if any is due) under rule 7 to the University and College Union, and student members, shall be eligible to request legal advice and assistance in accordance with the Legal Advice and Assistance Scheme.

8.3 Motion 44, Rule change regarding the role of national negotiators, was moved by Agnes Flues (University of Nottingham) and seconded by Vicky Blake (immediate past president).听 Justine Mercer (president elect) and Marian Mayer (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 44 was CARRIED (two-thirds majority required to pass):

Add new rule 16.4.1

All national negotiators should be involved in any UK wide negotiations taking place with employers, even where not all negotiators can be in attendance at every meeting.

Involvement shall take the form of:

1.听听听听听听 regular scheduled meetings of the 51福利 negotiating team.

2.听听听听听听 invitations to elected national negotiators to attend relevant business of NEC sector committees.

3.听听听听听听 prompt communication between all negotiators of developments in negotiations.

4.听听听听听听 full participation of all negotiators in any discussion on strategy, tactics and decisions.

The president reminded Congress of CBC鈥檚 advice that if motion 45 was carried, motion 46 would fall.

8.4 Motion 45, Amendment to Rule 17.4, and amendment 45A.1 were moved by Elizabeth Lawrence (Yorkshire and Humberside retired 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� committee) and seconded by Chris Pritchard (Nottingham Trent University):

听听听听 Add comma after 鈥榦ne from 贬贰鈥� and insert 鈥榠f 补惫补颈濒补产濒别鈥�

Amendment 45A.1 was CARRIED.听 Motion 45, as amended, was CARRIED (two-thirds majority required to pass):

Delete in second line 鈥榯wo from FE and two from 贬贰鈥� and replace with 鈥榓t least one from FE and one from 贬贰鈥�

Rule as amended will read:

17.4 Additionally, each of the English regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland shall be able to send up to four observers to National Congress 鈥� at least one from FE and one from HE, if available; these observers will be able to attend all events at Congress and relevant Sector Conferences but will not be eligible to propose or speak to resolutions.

8.5 The report of the Strategy and finance committee was ADOPTED by Congress.

THIRD SESSION OF CONGRESS, MONDAY MORNING, 29 MAY

9 In keeping with the statement from the Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee, the chair reminded Congress of the need to be mindful of the needs of disabled members.听

10 REPORT OF THE CONGRESS BUSINESS COMMITTEE

10.1 Alan Barker (University of Nottingham), chair of the Congress business committee (CBC), moved the fourth report of the Congress business committee.听 The president thanked the chair of the Congress business committee.

10.2 Mark Farwell (Solent University) moved that a motion submitted in the name of 10 delegations titled Members rights and union democracy at Southampton Solent University be ordered onto the agenda.听 The chair of the Congress business committee responded.听

10.3 Kevin Daws (Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee) moved that motion 38 be taken under the business of the equality committee.听 The chair of the Congress business committee responded.

10.4 Marian Mayer (NEC) requested to speak in support of the motion about Southampton Solent University.听 The chair responded that this was not a new challenge.

10.5 Christina Paine raised a point of order about the general secretary鈥檚 address to Congress following debate of motions 28 and 29 and requested an apology from the general secretary and president.听 The president asked that the delegate withdraw their comments and apologise.听 The general secretary responded.听

10.6 The fourth report of the Congress business was ADOPTED by Congress.

11 BUSINESS OF THE EQUALITY COMMITTEE

11.1 Motion 50, 51福利 to move from Equality to Equity, was moved by Marie Hanlon (Loughborough University) and seconded formally.

Amendment 50A.1 was moved by Bee Hughes (NEC) on behalf of the LGBT+ 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee:

Replace 鈥楨quity鈥� with 鈥楲iberation鈥� in the title.

Add after 鈥楥ongress notes鈥� - 鈥榯he importance of language in equality work; 别.驳.:鈥�

In paragraph 1 delete the words 鈥榓llocates the鈥� and replace with 鈥榯hat鈥�

After 鈥榦pportunities in paragraph 1 delete the words 鈥榥eeded鈥� and replace with 鈥榮hould be allocated鈥�

Add after 鈥榬each fairer outcomes鈥� - 鈥楲iberation is the removal of normative barriers for oppressed and minoritised people.鈥�

In paragraph 2 after 鈥榳e should be striving for鈥� delete 鈥楨quity rather than Equality鈥� and replace with 鈥榣iberation from oppression for all minoritised groups.鈥�

Congress resolves -

Delete in line 1 鈥楨quity鈥�, and replace with 鈥楲iberation鈥�.

Add after 鈥榠mplement the title鈥�: delete 鈥榚quity鈥�, replace with 鈥榣iberation鈥�,

Delete 鈥榯o bring a motion to the TUC to ask the UK trade union movement to do the same鈥�, replace with 鈥榯o ask the TUC to do the same.鈥�

Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield) proposed remittance of motion 50.听 Nalini Vittal (UCL) and Balihar Sanghera (University of Kent) spoke in the debate.

Sam Marsh (University of Sheffield) raised a point of information. The president responded.听 Marian Mayer (NEC) raised a point of information.听 The president responded.

Motion 50 was REMITTED:

Congress notes that Equality means an individual or group is given the same resources or opportunities, whereas Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the resources and opportunities needed to reach fairer outcomes.

Congress believes that not everyone has the same starting point and as a trade union and movement we should be striving for Equity rather than Equality.

Congress resolves to move 51福利 towards the principles of Equity rather than Equality, to implement the title of Equity Officers instead of Equality Officers and to bring a motion to the TUC to ask the UK trade union movement to do the same.

11.2 Motion 51, The co-option of EDI and the marginalisation of Black members and activists, was moved by Juliana Ojinnaka (NEC) and seconded by Victoria Showunmi (UCL).听听 Saleem Rashid (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Motion 51 was CARRIED:

Congress affirms the centrality of Equality to trade unionism and education.

However, Congress notes that within institutions, EDI

1.听听 rhetoric by HE and FE managements risks the marginalisation of Black critical voices;

2.听听 can become management policy that excludes the union;

3.听 can be weaponised in industrial disputes such as the misuse of 'decolonising the curriculum' to sack colleagues (University of Leicester 2021).

Congress believes these developments:

a.听听 depoliticise anti-racism and promote a limited politics of representation that considers student consumers and downplays institutional racism;

b.听听 weaponise EDI to undermine 51福利 activists.

Congress notes workshops at the 2021 and 2022 Black Members Conference on the co-option of EDI.

Congress resolves for 51福利 to:

Provide resources to the Black Members Standing Committee to organise a conference involving researchers and activists on the co-option of EDI discourses;

Produce guidance and tools for branch reps to identify and challenge the co-option of EDI.

11.3 Motion 52, Sexual and gender-based violence and harassment work in 51福利, was moved by Sylvia de Mars (Newcastle University) and seconded by Lena 奥氓苍驳驳谤别苍 (NEC).

Amendment 52A.1 was moved by Juliana Ojinnaka (NEC) on behalf of the Black 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee:

Add after first paragraph: 鈥榃e note that migrant workers, in particular women, have been victims to SGBVH.鈥�

Add after 1. in 鈥楥ongress calls on NEC to (and re-number accordingly):

鈥�2. ensure that the training:

a) recognises the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality to SGBVH

b) acknowledges that, in some cases, men can be and are survivors of SGBVH (e.g. young black men have fallen victim to SGBVH)

c) applies in all sectors of education

3. push the TUC to recognise this in their own training;鈥�

Rebecca Harrison (Open University) and Harjinder Kaur-Aujla (University of Birmingham) spoke in the debate.

Marion Hersh (NEC) raised a point of order and requested a drafting amendment to replace all instances of 鈥榲ictim(s)鈥� with 鈥榮urvivor(s)鈥�.听 Jenny Sherrard, head of equality and policy, provided information.

Amendment 52A.1 was CARRIED.听 Motion 52, as amended, was CARRIED (drafting amendment accepted):

Gender-based violence is a fundamental workplace and trade union issue. Just as we demand that employers do better, we must ensure that 51福利 is able to properly support members who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence or harassment (SGBVH) at work.

We note that migrant workers, in particular women, have been survivors to SGBVH.

The report of the Sexual Violence Task Group confirmed pervasively high levels of SGBVH in tertiary education, and there remains work to be done through training and awareness raising within and by the union to help combat it.

Congress calls on NEC to:

1. provide SGBVH training and awareness-raising to all branches and regional offices;

2. ensure that the training:

a) recognises the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality to SGBVH

b) acknowledges that, in some cases, men can be and are survivors of SGBVH (e.g. young black men have fallen survivor to SGBVH)

c) applies in all sectors of education

3. push the TUC to recognise this in their own training;

4. encourage branches to create a committee position specifically focused on union work regarding SGBVH;

5. encourage branches to work with student unions and societies on SGBVH training and awareness;

6. provide resources and support for members at UK level on their rights and options when facing SGBVH.

11.9 Motion 53, The impact of casualised contracts on survivors of domestic violence, was moved by Christina Paine (London Metropolitan University) on behalf of the London regional committee and seconded by Rhian Keyse (NEC).

Amendment 53A.1 was moved by Laura Loyola-Hernandez (Migrant 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee):

At end of first paragraph, insert 鈥�, migrant鈥� after 鈥�迟谤补苍蝉鈥�

At end of point 1, insert 鈥榓nd immigration 蝉迟补迟耻蝉鈥�

Insert new point 6 at end of motion: 鈥楢dvocate for the abolition of No Recourse to Public Funds which restricts migrant women's access to refuges. Support the Step Up Migrant Women campaign - which seeks safe-reporting mechanisms and an end to data-sharing between the police and the Home Office- (i.e. sharing campaign via Friday email, invite to Equality Conference, etc.)鈥�

John James (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Amendment 53A.1 was CARRIED.听 Motion 53, as amended, was CARRIED:

Women 鈥� shock absorbers of poverty 鈥� are increasingly affected by the intersection of domestic violence at home and work with low paid, insecure work, profoundly affecting their physical & psychosocial health. In post-16 education a 15% pay cut, limited access to legal aid, cost of living crisis and casualisation (lack of sick pay, leave and fear to speak out) force women to stay with their abusers. Black, trans, migrant and disabled women are disproportionately affected.

Congress resolves to:

1. Pressure institutions to negotiate domestic violence policies prioritising the risks exacerbated by casualised contracts and immigration status.

2. Campaign for gender based hate crimes, including misogyny, to be recorded under hate crime legislation.

3. 51福利 to affiliate to DV campaigns, calling for legal aid and provision of counselling, and refuges for DV survivors.

4. Support branches to use their local TU education units to provide member support.

5. Provide specialist training to reps supporting survivors of DV.

6. Advocate for the abolition of No Recourse to Public Funds which restricts migrant women's access to refuges. Support the Step Up Migrant Women campaign - which seeks safe-reporting mechanisms and an end to data-sharing between the police and the Home Office- (i.e. sharing campaign via Friday email, invite to Equality Conference, etc.)

11.10 Motion 54, Informed decision-making and safety in sex work, was moved by Vicky Blake (immediate past president) on behalf of the Women 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee and seconded by Rhiannon Lockley (NEC).听 Nalini Vittal (UCL) and Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield) spoke in the debate.

Motion 54 was CARRIED:

Congress notes existing policy (motion 56, 207) which commits 51福利 to support self-organised sex workers in their call for decriminalisation of sex work to allow collective working and improved safety, and to work with NUS and other relevant groups.

Congress recognises:

1. The right of adults to make informed choices to engage in sex work and for safety in that work, or to leave it

2. That sex workers are subject to intersectional stigma and discrimination

3. Increased risks for sex workers arising from inadequate support and information

4. Growing economic pressures which inhibits choice.

Congress resolves to task Equality Committee to work with all equality standing committees, student organisations including the NUS, and other relevant organisations to:

a. Create a toolkit which supports informed and safe routes of entry into and exit from sex work

b. Pursue campaigns to support decriminalisation of sex work, collective working, and safe choices

11.11 Motion 55, Say no to misogyny, was moved by Chris Jones (Grwp NPTC) on behalf of 51福利 Cymru and seconded by Bettina Friedrich (UCL). Nalini Vittal (UCL) and Helen Kelsall (NEC) spoke in the debate.听

Motion 55 was CARRIED:

Congress notes with alarm the rise in misogynistic statements seen in main stream media by celebrities such as Jeremy Clarkson and on social media by social influencers like Andrew Tate.

Congress believes that this is a very dangerous trend that is sowing the seeds of鈥€� disharmony in our society. Congress further believes that statements made by social influencers such as Andrew Tate disproportionally influence our learners.

Congress calls upon NEC to issue a statement unequivocally condemning such statements and to mount a campaign to raise awareness of the issue amongst members in the UK. Congress also calls upon NEC to raise the issue with UK Government in order to request a UK wide awareness of these dangerous trends within the education sector.

11.12 Motion 56, Health crisis and Covid impact on women, was moved by Patricia Roche (Women 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee) and seconded by Vicky Blake (immediate past president).

Motion 56 was CARRIED:

Covid-19 continues to damage livelihoods and reduce gender equality, increasing the care burdens disproportionately carried by women. These developments affect 51福利 women members notably through damaged Health and Social care systems. Linked with the cost of living crisis, this further exacerbates women鈥檚 inequality.

These issues, including their intersectional aspects, were debated by women from across 51福利 at our recent equalities conference which highlighted the expertise of our women members in terms both of lived experience and knowledge of Health and Social Care.

51福利 is perfectly placed to launch a major campaign on the impact of the pandemic upon our members, with equalities as a central theme. The campaign would be launched via a major conference designed to understand trends and agendas in health and social care, and to prepare a UK-wide campaign linked to our equalities agenda. We ask the NEC to initiate this campaign as a matter of urgency.

11.13 Motion 57, Disability Discrimination, was moved by Marian Mayer (NEC) on behalf of the Disabled 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee鈥�and seconded by Juliana Ojinnaka (NEC).

Marion Hersh (NEC) and Caleb Day (Durham University) spoke in the debate.

Motion 57 was CARRIED:

Post COVID has exacerbated the number of learners with severe learning difficulties, making support for disabled students a huge issue. Post-16 educational employers are forcing our members to support students with extreme SEND (Special educational needs and disabilities) needs, ignoring the fact that they are not specialists in this field, failing to conduct necessary safeguarding or risk assessments for members and students.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

鈥�Management are misusing peer learning/learning buddies as a source of support for their peers with learning needs/SEND. These students are not adults, not professionals or trained specialists.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

鈥�听听听听听听听听 51福利 calls for employers to:鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

1. carry out Risk Assessments with the view to providing reasonable adjustments for students鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

2. make available ongoing specialist SEND support for learners鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

3. provide comprehensive training, workload allocation and support for all staff working with disabled learners鈥€�&苍产蝉辫;

4. ensure comprehensive counselling provision is made available to these group of learners鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

5. make EHCP (Education, Health and Care plan) funds available for this purpose.鈥€�&苍产蝉辫;

11.14 Motion 58, Cost-of-Living Crisis, was moved by Marian Mayer (NEC) and seconded formally.

Motion 58 was CARRIED:

Congress wishes to record its anger and dismay at the impact of Trussonomics and the Conservative Government on disabled people.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Congress notes:鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

1. That any cuts in benefits will jeopardise the ability of disabled people to afford to power their specialist and essential equipment.鈥€�&苍产蝉辫;

2. The Government鈥檚 failure to plan for the impact of any blackouts this winter on disabled people.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

3. That on average life costs 拢583 per month more for disabled people and an extra 拢1000 per month for families with disabled children.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Congress calls on the General Secretary and the NEC to stand up and speak up for disabled members by:鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

a. Condemning any cuts to disability allowance and entitlements鈥痑s well as calling for the reinstatement of the 拢20 cut to Universal Credit and improved access to PIP.鈥€�&苍产蝉辫;

b. Highlighting the impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis on 51福利 members especially disabled members.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

11.15 Motion 59, British Sign Language (BSL), was moved by Roddy Slorach (Imperial College London) on behalf of the NEC and seconded by Marion Hersh (NEC).

Motion 59 was CARRIED:

Congress welcomes the fact that BSL is now an officially recognised language in the UK.鈥€�&苍产蝉辫;

Congress calls on the 51福利 to explore the possibility of providing training in BSL (British Sign Language) for any members that wish to learn BSL who can be deaf and hard of hearing members as well as their colleagues.鈥€�&苍产蝉辫;

11.16 Motion 60, Trans and non-binary solidarity, was moved by Bee Hughes (NEC) and seconded by Rhiannon Lockley (NEC).听 Nalini Vittal (UCL) proposed that the motion be taken in parts and resolves (iv) be voted on separately.听 Marion Hersh (NEC) and Amanda Brunton (University of Cambridge) spoke in the debate.

The proposal to take the motion in parts was LOST.

Motion 60 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1.听听 The Tory government has stepped up its war on trans and non-binary people.

2.听听 Sunak鈥檚 decision to block the Scottish government鈥檚 reforms of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) in January.

3.听听 increasingly hostile narratives in media / social media including moral panic around LGBT+ people, especially trans people

4.听听 individual and coordinated anti-LGBT+ attacks emboldened on Twitter since takeover by Elon Musk

5.听听 Trans Media Watch is a trans-led media organisation working to ensure accurate, respectful, media representations of trans people.听

6.听听 The murder of trans teenager Briana Ghey in Warrington in February.

7.听听 The mass protests and vigils resulting from the above.

Congress believes:

a.听听 51福利鈥檚 trans-inclusive position is correct, and should be re-affirmed, promoted and strengthened in the face of concerted political attacks on trans rights.

b.听听 This position must be made clear on every university and college campus and in the wider trade union movement

c.听听 Social media platforms can be positive but also become unsafe and toxic environments for LGBT+ people, especially trans people

d.听听 51福利 has duty to critically examine its media / social media engagement and strategies and consider how use impacts LGBT+ members

听听听听听 Congress deplores

1.听听 The continuing transphobia, discrimination bullying of trans and non-binary people.

2.听听 The refusal to use correct names and pronouns and behave with respect, including regrettably sometimes in 51福利.

Congress expresses solidarity with all trans and non-binary people worldwide.

Congress resolves:听听

i.听听听 To mobilise UK-wide, nationally, regionally and locally for protests, vigils and marches in support of trans and non-binary rights and liberation, e.g., Trans+ Pride London, and local trans prides.

ii.听听 to engage with organisations like Trans Media Watch and LGBT+ members to produce LGBT+ inclusive media, including social media, guidelines for 51福利 and its members

iii.听 review media practices within 51福利 to ensure positive support for LGBT+ people and inclusive practice that does not expose members to toxic online environments

iv.听 Work with TUC to put pressure on UK government to remove block to Scottish gender recognition reform and introduce similar legislation in the rest of the UK.

v.听听 Produce information and guidance for branches for negotiating policies and procedures to support trans and non-binary people in their institutions.

vi.听 Identify gaps and produce new information materials for members, including on importance 辞蹿鈥赌痷蝉颈苍驳 correct pronouns and names, and to encourage all members to participate in training on trans and non-binary issues.

11.17 Motion 61, LGBT+ health, was moved by Mark Pendleton (University of Sheffield) on behalf of the LGBT+ members standing committee and seconded by David Law (Liverpool John Moores University).听

Motion 61 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. Over 拢1 billion public health cuts since 2016 have reduced spending on STI testing, contraception and treatment, unevenly and disproportionately impacting on different regions and nations and people with protected characteristics

2. consistent failures to implement a government strategy on reproductive and sexual health

3. increasing attacks from anti-LGBT+ organisations in the UK and globally on sexual and reproductive health

4. anti-LGBT+ sentiments used as wedge issues in right wing organising

5. disproportionate impact of the 2022 Monkeypox breakout on LGBT+ and Black communities

Congress believes that all communities across the UK must have access to free and accessible sexual health services.

Congress resolves to:

a. work with sexual health and LGBT+ organisations and UK-wide bodies like TUC to campaign for the reversal of cuts and the implementation of UK-wide strategy

b. develop resources for branches to campaign locally on these issues in collaboration with local organisations.

11.18 Motion 62, Gender Recognition Reform Bill, was moved by Ann Swinney (NEC) on behalf of the University of St Andrews and seconded by Daryl Hodge (University of Liverpool).

Motion 62 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. Scottish Parliament passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (by 86 to 36) which would remove barriers for people to legally change their gender by allowing for self-identification

2. This bill is now being blocked by the British Government (Section 35, Scotland Act 1998)

Believes:

a. People should be supported through self-identification and transition

b. Transphobia cannot go unchallenged 鈥� 51福利 has a responsibility to trans and nonbinary members to respond strongly to attacks on their rights

c. In affirming the right to safety and livelihood for trans and non-binary individuals who have moved to Scotland to flee oppression and persecution

d. In democratic decision making, here threatened by Westminster overriding Scottish Parliament

Resolves:

i. To strengthen solidarity with trans and nonbinary members

ii. To examine practices in our union and work to make them more trans-inclusive

iii. To make UK-wide representations to persuade the UK government to recognise and respect the democratic authority of the Scottish Parliament

11.19 Motion 63, Refugees Welcome, Campaign Against Racism, was moved by Marion Hersh (NEC) and seconded by Peter Bicknell (Newcastle College Group).

Amendment 63A.1 was moved by Peter Evans (NEC) on behalf of the LGBT+ 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee and seconded formally:

After 鈥榦pposing racism,鈥� in the first paragraph add

Congress reaffirms solidarity with LGBT+ people in countries where law discriminates against LGBT+ and those who flee such countries.

Under Congress deplores add now points

5. The Anti Homosexuality Bill in Uganda that calls for the death penalty

6. Far right organising in many countries attacking LGBT+ people.

Under Congress calls add new point

f. Regularly report on international action that discriminates against LGBT+ people

g. Produce material and events about situations for LGBT+ internationally including the lives and issues of LGBT+ refugees in the UK

Amendment 63A.2 was moved by David Law (Liverpool John Moores University) and seconded formally:

Point 4: Delete 鈥楢lliance and other鈥� - Add 鈥楢lternative, Homeland, Britain First and other fascist and鈥�

Point a: Add to end - 鈥榠ncluding the Illegal Immigration Bill and Nationality and Borders 础肠迟鈥�

Amendments 63A.1 and 63A.2 were CARRIED.听 Motion 63, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress reaffirms solidarity with refugees and migrants and commitment to opposing racism. Congress reaffirms solidarity with LGBT+ people in countries where law discriminates against LGBT+ and those who flee such countries.

Congress deplores:

1.鈥赌� The continuing hostile climate to refugees

2.鈥赌� The racist immigration and asylum legislation

3.鈥赌� The 鈥楻wanda plan鈥� to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda

4.鈥�听鈥疶he attacks and protests by Patriotic Alternative, Homeland, Britain First and other fascist and far right groups on refugee housing

5. 听 The Anti Homosexuality Bill in Uganda that calls for the death penalty

6. Far right organising in many countries attacking LGBT+ people.

Congress calls on NEC, members and branches to:

a. Step up the campaign to overturn racist asylum and immigration legislation including the Illegal Immigration Bill and Nationality and Borders Act.

b. and bring a motion to TUC Congress on this.

c. Express support and solidarity with refugees and migrants, including participating in broad based anti-racist protests.

d. 鈥疭how active support for refugees under attack, including through solidarity demos and counter demos against far right groups at their accommodation.鈥�

e. Organise teachouts during strikes on anti-racism and asylum rights with refugee speakers and invite them to branch meetings.

f. Regularly report on international action that discriminates against LGBT+ people.

g. Produce material and events about situations for LGBT+ internationally including the lives and issues of LGBT+ refugees in the UK.

11.20 Motion L5, Rights of international students, was moved by Chris Pritchard (Nottingham Trent University) and seconded formally.

Motion L5 was CARRIED:

Congress reaffirms the position of 51福利 in deploring actions taken by the government to limit the rights of international students to bring their families to the UK during their studies.

11.21 The report of the equality committee was ADOPTED by Congress.

Justine Mercer (president elect) was in the chair.

12 BUSINESS OF THE RECRUITMENT, ORGANISING AND CAMPAIGNING COMMITTEE

12.1 Motion 66, Recruitment, organising and campaigning committee, was moved by Saira Weiner (NEC) and seconded formally:

Motion 66 was CARRIED:

Congress notes the progress made by ROCC in implementing the policies set by Congress, notably:

1. support for UK disputes in HE, FE, and Prison education

2. support for branches, including with GTVO and disputes

3. strengthening recruitment to build greater union density in all our sectors

4. developing training and education for activists

5. providing support for priority, UK industrial campaigns.

It supports continued focus on these areas working:

a. to engage and involve our diverse groups of members

b. to actively support recruitment, campaigning and organising activities 听听听听听 nationally, regionally, and locally

c. to ensure issues of climate justice and sustainability are integral to our work

d. with other unions to oppose the Strike (Minimum Service Levels) Bill

e. actively campaign against attacks on the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and other migrants

f. to progress ROCC related Congress resolutions

12.2 Motion 82, Reparations, was moved by Derek Mitchell (Croydon College) and seconded by Delmena Doyley (NEC).听 Juliana Ojinnaka (NEC) spoke in the debate. Maxine Looby (vice president) proposed a drafting amendment to replace 鈥榮lavery鈥� with 鈥榚nslavement鈥� which was accepted.

Motion 82 was CARRIED:

听听听听 Congress notes:

1. Rishi Sunak's refusal to offer a full and meaningful apology for the UK's role in enslavement and colonialism, and commit to reparatory justice (PMQ 26 April 23).

2. The formation of the Heirs of Slavery group and its adoption of the CARICOM 10 point plan for Reparatory justice.

3. The United Nations recognises听 enslavement was a crime against humanity. The UN Human Rights Council has urged global action including reparations.

Congress believes:

a. Trade unions in Britain should be part of these campaigns for social and economic justice.

Congress resolves:

i. To support the campaign for reparative justice including the Drax campaign

ii. To encourage the wider British labour movement to also support this campaign

iii. To support an international conference on reparations in the UK

11.3 Motion 67, Minimum Service Levels Bill, was moved by Ilektra Christidi (UCL) and seconded by John James (NEC).

Motion 67 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that:

1. The UK government introduced the 鈥淭ransport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels)鈥� Bill, which further restricts the right to strike, making anti-TU legislation among the worst in Europe.

2. Unless we fight this bill, it will be applied to all unions; another attack against working and civil rights.

3. Union leaders, including ours and the TUC, took an unacceptably long time to organise action, rather than an immediate upheaval against this new assault.

Congress resolves to:

a. Organise an ongoing, high-profile, high-priority campaign to stop the bill's enforcement and to repeal ALL anti-trade union laws that plague Britain and the working class, spearheaded by the NEC.

b. Stand together, co-ordinate with sister unions, especially those targeted now and those next on the list (healthcare, education, civil servants, etc).

c. Stop being reactive and deferring vital action to the TUC leadership; we must go on the offensive today.

11.4 Motion 68, Raising the stakes to win, was moved by Regine Pilling (NEC) on behalf of Capital City College Group (Westminster Kingsway College) and seconded by Sean Wallis (NEC).听 Lorena Gazzotti (University of Cambridge), Richard McEwan (NEC) and Helen Kelsall (NEC) spoke in the debate.

Congress 68 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. The inspiring strike action taken by the RMT, CWU, NEU and colleagues in HE and FE.

2. Government/employers holding firm in most of these disputes.

Believes that:

a. Government/employers are standing firm because they are determined that we have to pay for the cost-of-living crisis.

b. They fear that settling with one group the floodgates will open.

c. When the stakes are high we need to raise the stakes to win.

d. Taking strike days spread across months makes it easier for the employers/government to sit out strikes.

e. Escalating quickly will place more pressure on the government/employers making them more likely to settle.

f. Escalating quickly means members will need to take less action and therefore save money.

Resolves:

i. 51福利 to make clear to all members that the most effective way to win is to escalate quickly up to and including indefinite strike action.

FOURTH SESSION OF CONGRESS, MONDAY AFTERNOON, 29 MAY

Janet Farrar (president) was in the chair

13 REPORT OF THE CONGRESS BUSINESS COMMITTEE

13.1听 Alan Barker (University of Nottingham), chair of the Congress business committee (CBC), moved the fifth report of the Congress business committee.听

13.2 Marian Mayer (NEC) moved that the emergency motion set out in CBC鈥檚 fifth report be ordered onto the agenda.听 The chair of CBC responded.

13.3 Emma Battell Lowman (NEC) raised a point of information.

13.4 The proposal to order the emergency motion onto the agenda was LOST (80 for; 92 against; 11 abstentions).

14 BUSINESS OF THE RECRUITMENT, ORGANISING AND CAMPAIGNING COMMITTEE (CONTINUED)

14.1 Motion 69, E-Consultation Prior to Calling National Industrial Action, was moved by Jak Peake (University of Essex) and seconded by Jamie Melrose (University of Bristol).听 David Law (Liverpool John Moores University) raised a point of information.听 Michael Carley (University of Bath) spoke in the debate. The chair requested that a comment made by Michael Carley be withdrawn.听 Michael Carley apologised and withdrew the comment.听 Emma Kennedy (NEC), Chloe Wallace (University of Leeds), Andrew Feeney (NEC), Ross Gibson (University of Strathclyde) spoke in the debate. Caleb Day (Durham University) raised a point of information. 听Amanda Brunton (University of Cambridge) also spoke in the debate.听

Motion 69 was LOST:

Congress notes that:

1. Branch meetings are generally attended by a small fraction of a branch鈥檚 total membership.

2. Traditional methods of communication, including branch and UK meetings, and emails to members all have a role to play in mobilising members, which is essential in calling successful industrial action. However, industrial action is strengthened by large numbers of members participating; e-consultation allows the majority of members to have their say, mobilize and reach decisions.

Congress resolves to:

a. Mandate that NEC, FEC and HEC undertake member e-consultation, alongside traditional forms of communication, and frame the e-consultation questions prior to calling UK-wide industrial action.

b. Ensure that this e-consultation asks members if they are willing to take the action, and what form it will take, including its timing and duration.

c. Ensure that this e-consultation informs NEC, FEC and HEC decisions, which will be explained transparently in relation to this e-consultation.

14.2 Motion 70, Strike Committees For The Win, was moved by Lucia Pradella (King鈥檚 College London) and seconded by Ryan Burns (University of Brighton).听 Donna Brown (Royal Holloway, University of London), Bijan Parsia (NEC) and an unnamed delegate spoke in the debate.听 Jo Edge (NEC) proposed that the motion be taken in parts; to vote on Congress resolves ii separately.听 Matt Perry (NEC), Joanna de Groot (NEC), Regine Pilling (NEC) and Sam Marsh (University of Sheffield) also spoke in the debate.听

Ellen Shobrook (University of Birmingham) proposed that the question be now put.听 The proposal was CARRIED. 听

The proposal to take the motion in parts was CARRIED (97 for; 84 against;听 3 abstentions).听

Congress resolves ii was LOST (86 for; 100 against; 听2 abstentions):

ii. To establish a national strike committee composed of delegates elected by branches to monitor the progress of all national disputes; make strategic decisions about their directions; hold the GS and other national officers to account for the conduct of these disputes and advise NEC;

听 Motion 70 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. The establishment of strike committees by many 51福利 branches to build action in the #ucuRISING campaign

2. The need to ensure that control of industrial action is the hands of the rank-and-file 51福利 members

3. The emergence of rank-and-file strike committees in other sectors

Congress believes:

a. Strike committees play an important role in building local and national action and

b. must be central to the union's decision-making process

Congress resolves:

i. To encourage all branches to establish strike committees while in dispute;

ii. To take concrete steps towards establishing local and national inter-union strike committees.

Lucia Pradella (King鈥檚 College London) raised a point of information. The chair responded.

听听听听听听听听 Alan Barker (University of Nottingham) raised a point of information.

Marian Mayer (NEC) raised a point of information about reasonable adjustments.听 The president responded.

听听听听听听听听 The president responded to Alan Barker鈥檚 point of information.

14.3 Motion 71, Industrial action reporting, was moved by Grant Buttars(NEC) on behalf of the University of Edinburgh and seconded by Bijan Parsia (NEC).听 Amendment 71A.1 was moved by Gertjan Lucas (University of Nottingham) on behalf of the Migrant 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥� standing committee and seconded formally:

At end of point 2, insert 鈥榦r detrimental, for example to migrant 尘别尘产别谤蝉鈥�

Maxine Looby (vice president) proposed that 鈥榖lacklisting鈥� be replaced with 鈥�greylisting鈥� which was accepted by the mover of the motion. Stefano Cremonesi (Durham University) raised a point of information. Jenny Sherrard, Head of equality and policy responded and suggested that 鈥榖lacklisting鈥� be replaced with 鈥榖locklisting鈥� which was AGREED.听

John James (NEC) raised a point of information.听 The president responded.

听听听听听听听听 Amendment 71A.1 was CARRIED.听 Motion 71, as amended, was CARRIED:

Congress notes growing concern over practices that may constitute blocklisting and/or breach GDPR on reporting industrial action.

Congress resolves to:

1. Survey industrial action reporting instructions, mechanisms, and information retention practices across post-16 institutions, using data gathering methods including surveys to branch executives and formal information requests to institutions

2. Determine where practices are legally compliant, and where practices appear to be lawful, how such mechanisms may be unfair and potentially discriminatory or detrimental, for example to migrant members

3. Analyse results including via scrutiny by ROCC and the equality standing committees and special employment advisory committees (eg ARPS and Anticasualisation Committee)

4. Publish results and initial analysis of this survey, circulating to branches and other campus trade unions

5. Encourage regional and devolved national committees to discuss survey results and analysis, feeding back to NEC and subcommittees

6. Mount collective campaigns and (where applicable) provide legal support to resist unfair and deleterious industrial action reporting practices.

14.4 Motion 72, Solidarity to University of East Anglia 51福利, was moved by Mark Walmsley (University of East Anglia) and seconded by Maria Chondrogianni (NEC).

Motion 72 was CARRIED:

Congress notes that:

1. UEA 51福利 has been notified about the potential for mass redundancies affecting every sector of the University.

2. The scale and nature of these redundancies threaten the institution and the wider Norfolk community, amounting to nothing less than cultural vandalism.

Congress resolves to:

a. Support UEA 51福利 with all means available, and explore all avenues possible to save jobs at UEA, including, where and when appropriate, grey-listing.

b. At the branch鈥檚 advice, as soon as a dispute is called, for it to be considered a local dispute of national importance.

c. Publicise the threat of compulsory redundancies at UEA and call 51福利 branches and other trades unions to support UEA 51福利.

d. Invite 51福利 branches and the wider trades union movement to contribute to the UEA 51福利 hardship fund associated with the local dispute.

14.5 Motion L2, Stop the job cuts at Brighton University, was moved by Mark Abel (NEC) on behalf of the鈥疷niversity of Brighton and seconded by Maria Chondrogianni (NEC).

Motion L2 was CARRIED:

Congress condemns the plan to axe over 100 jobs at Brighton University.鈥�

Congress believes:

路 the targeted staff are not genuinely redundant: the aim is to slash the wage bill by shedding higher earning staff

路 while the backdrop is marketisation and the tuition fee funding regime, staff are now being asked to pay with their jobs for mismanagement of the institution including overspending on estates

路 this is an attack on 51福利 by threatening to dismiss members of the branch leadership, including an NEC member, in order to clear the way for new terms and conditions and teaching only contracts.鈥�

听听听听听听听听 Congress resolves:鈥�

1. to declare Brighton a local dispute of national significance and to coordinate solidarity from across the union

2. to pledge full support to the local branch in its fight to resist this attack.

14.6 Motion 73, Sheffield Needs a Payrise: A model for organising casualised workers, was moved by Sam Morecroft (University of Sheffield International College) on behalf of the Anti-casualisation committee and seconded formally.

Motion 73 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. The Sheffield Needs a Payrise Campaign, based on a partnership between Sheffield Trades Council and BFAWU, has been incredibly successful in recruiting, organising and winning recognition in unorganised workplaces where zero-hours employment is the norm.

2. The campaign has been successful because of its use of Worker Patrols and surveys of workers, and because it has raised funds to hire a full-time organiser, employed jointly by Sheffield Trades Council and BFAWU and supported by donations from local and national trade unions.

3. Hallam 51福利 and Sheffield 51福利 have made significant contributions to this campaign.

4. Leeds Trades Council has initiated a similar campaign based on this model.

Congress resolves:

a. To promote this model to 51福利 branches and encourage them to consider how we can work with trades councils and other unions to initiate similar campaigns in other towns, cities and regions.

b. To donate 拢1000 to the campaign.

14.7 The president read out a statement in relation to the implementation of motion 74 if carried and responsibility for 51福利 staffing and delivery of training.

Motion 74, Accessible reps training, was moved by Ann Swinney (NEC) on behalf of the 51福利 Scotland executive committee and seconded by Claire Graf (University of Edinburgh). John James (NEC) and the president spoke in the debate.

Motion 74 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. The 51福利 training course Reps 1 is the bottleneck for much work that falls under trade union duties. Reps 1 is not offered often enough, and not accessible to everyone.

2. Most branches need more reps but many struggle to get them trained.

Congress resolves to:

a. Extend the Reps 1 training offer to include more varied offers (synchronous, asynchronous, in person, online, etc) to improve accessibility.

b. Provide opportunities to take Reps 1 every second month in every region and in diverse areas across the devolved nations.

c. Put out clear guidance on which TUC courses will be accepted as a substitute.

14.8 Motion 75, Paid development and training for Casualised Staff, was moved by Christina Paine (London Metropolitan University) and seconded formally.

Motion 75 was CARRIED:

Londonmet 51福利 recently negotiated mandatory training, including social justice trainings, to be resourced for casualised staff. While this is a small step forward, it is important that all training and development activities should be paid and resourced for all workers. Casualised workers do necessary trainings for free, costing time and money. Especially ironic, when training is often aimed at addressing social justice. Casualised workers in marginalised groups frequently experience disadvantage developing their careers which affects pay and progression gaps for the equality strands.

Congress resolves to

1. Calculate hours worked by casualised workers on training, certification and development activities either to advance careers or to fulfil their contracted teaching requirements.

2. Provide research on how far this contributes to equalities pay gaps.

3. Provide learning rep training which incorporates casualised issues.

4. Provide clear guidance to branches to negotiate equal rights to pay for training and development activities for casualised staff.

14.19 Motion 76, Recruitment, organising and recognition in outsourced/private education providers, was moved by Sam Morecroft (University of Sheffield International College) and seconded by Rhian Keyse (NEC).

Motion 76 was CARRIED:

Congress notes:

1. The proliferation of outsourced/private education providers in both HE and FE represents a clear threat to terms and conditions.

2. 51福利 has taken big steps forward in one provider (Study Group) with the successful recognition campaign at Sussex International College and the first ever strike in an outsourced higher education provider in the UK at the University of Sheffield International College, which secured a pay award of 10% for most staff and 8% for managerial staff over two years.

3. Ongoing grassroots efforts to win recognition in further outsourced/private education providers.

4. Winning recognition and organising in outsourced/private education providers is essential to ending privatisation and outsourcing.

Congress resolves:

a. To conduct a mapping exercise of existing 51福利 members working in private/outsourced education providers to identify potential targets for recruitment and recognition campaigns.

b. To restate and remind branches of existing 51福利 policy on outsourced/private education providers.

14.20 The report of the Recruitment, organising and campaigning committee was ADOPTED by Congress.

15 Congress REMITTED all motions remaining on the agenda to the NEC (motions 12, 14 鈥� 20, 33 鈥� 41) (business of the Strategy and finance committee), 47 鈥� 49 (rule changes), 64 鈥� 65 (business of the Equality committee), 77 鈥� 81, 83 (business of the Recruitment, campaigning and organising committee).听 Motion 13 had been withdrawn.

16 CLOSING BUSINESS

16.1 Election results

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

16.2 Closing remarks

The President called on Congress to welcome the incoming President Justine Mercer. The incoming President addressed Congress and thanked Janet Farrar for her chairing of Congress and delegates for their contribution.听

The President acknowledged those members lost during the pandemic and Congress marked this by acclamation.听 The president thanked the Congress business committee, 51福利 staff, the UK officers, general secretary and staff at the conference venue.听听