51福利586

SECTION 1: BUSINESS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Section 5 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

Cradle to grave, after paragraph 3.3

1 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Education from the Cradle to the Grave听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress endorses the principle of Education from cradle to grave as exemplified by the successful 51福利 Conference held in February 2014 and urges all in the union to campaign to win public support for the policy priorities agreed by Education Committee:

Higher public funding for further, adult, offender, and higher education and research

High quality vocational education

Professional Recognition for the skills of staff, partnership with students and a rejection of the learner as consumer

Fair access to further, adult and higher education for all, not just the rich

Active partnership between F/HE institutions, schools, local authorities and the wider community to provide education and training opportunities for the young unemployed

To develop further joint campaign work with our sister education TU鈥檚 in defence of public education

To seek endorsement of the TUC in support of the 鈥楥radle to the Grave鈥� campaign.听听

1A.1听听 National Executive Committee

After 鈥榥ot just the rich鈥� in fifth paragraph, add: 鈥�, regardless of gender, race, LGBT status or disability鈥�

After fifth paragraph, insert new point:

鈥楢ctive measures to ensure participation of women, black and ethnic minority people, disabled and LGBT people in all aspects of education and to remove discrimination.鈥�

1A.2听 North West Retired Members鈥� Branch

Add at end

In pursuit of this, Congress objects to library closures and asserts that libraries are:

1. a primary source of information for study and research for people of every age and background

2. an essential avenue for social mobility which closure will inhibit.

Congress calls on:

1. the government to reverse all previous cuts and employ staff, not volunteers, on a living wage with no zero-hours contracts.

2. branches and members to resist any further closures.

The funding campaign, paragraph 4.2

2 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Education funding听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress notes the differing funding arrangements that now exist within the nations of the UK for further, adult and higher education and reiterates 51福利's belief that education should be freely available to all and that increased public funding should reflect the social and economic benefits that post-16 education provides.听

Congress therefore welcomes the work of the Devolution Working Party and Education Committee in setting out six tests (as set out in the NEC report) against which new funding proposals should be judged.

Congress believes that the Devolution Working Party should also work collaboratively with elected committees to systematically examine other areas of the union's work and ensure they are 'devolution proof'.

New paragraph, teacher education, after paragraph 5.1

3 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Teacher Education and Training听听听听听听听 South East Regional Committee

Congress notes that:

i. the 2007 FE Workforce Regulations were revoked in 2012 - teachers and trainers in the FE sector are not required to achieve specific teaching qualifications or meet any minimum standards of performance or fulfil CPD requirements beyond those specified by their employer and/or through their contract of employment;

ii. schoolteachers working in Free Schools and Academies also do not have to be qualified;

iii. the current focus on school-centred training and professional development of schoolteachers has threatened a coherent set of teacher training courses;

iv. the negative impact of these changes on providers of teacher training in both HE and FE.

Congress re-affirms:

(a) existing policy;

(b) calls on the government to ensure schoolteachers are well trained in both educational theory and practice as this is threatened by the running down of academic teacher education;

Widening participation, paragraphs 8.1 - 8.2

4 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Financial impact on students of Government policy听听听听听听 Southern Regional Committee

Congress deplores the Coalition Government's failure to protect students of low income families from the impact of student fees and education cuts.

In light of this failure, the consequences of which are becoming increasingly apparent in terms of the deterrent effect on low-income students, Congress instructs NEC to:

a) Intensify the lobbying of government in order to restore financial support for those groups currently deterred from pursuing further and higher education on the grounds of cost;

b) Within budget limitations, survey the impact of student poverty on recruitment to FHE institutions in order to better inform a campaign to restore necessary funding.

4A.1听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add to end: 鈥楥ongress recognises that BME staff and students are disproportionately disadvantaged in terms of resources and support.鈥�

5 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Access Courses in Further and Higher Education听听听听听听听听听听 Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

Congress deplores the dramatically increasing costs of Access Courses for mature students. In addition, Congress notes the differential pricing of an Access course based on age and previous qualifications.

Congress notes the introduction by the government of 鈥楢dvanced Learning Loans鈥� for those aged 24+ to pay the high tuition fees. These loans will become repayable unless the students successfully complete a university degree level. Also, from September 2014, the diversity of local Access courses will be curtailed by new QAA regulations which will impose national restrictions on the course content and grading of courses.

Congress opposes these developments which will further restrict opportunities for mature students and calls for fully publicly funded Access to HE courses, in both further and higher education, developed at local level in conjunction with higher education providers of degree level courses.

5A.1听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

In third paragraph, after 鈥榤ature students鈥�, insert 鈥�, particularly women,鈥�.

6 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Abolish Ofsted听听听听听 City of Liverpool College, Bankfield

Congress calls for the abolition of Ofsted to end an inspection regime that is driving all sectors of education through a "toxic" target-driven culture.听

The cost of running Ofsted is the equivalent of almost 5,000 teachers a year yet there is no evidence to show that Ofsted has a positive impact on improving education, there is however significant anecdotal evidence that suggests that the Ofsted model has a detrimental impact.听

Conference calls on the NEC to:

路 work with other teaching unions to raise a high profile campaign to听鈥楢bolish Ofsted鈥�

路 gather evidence to show how Ofsted:

- 听has systematically failed to improve standards in Colleges and Universities (as well as schools)

- has a detrimental effect on members.

路 Campaign for a system where teachers and students have a real say in the running of institutions 鈥� institutions that are not target-obsessed but based on a balanced, trusting and effective education system.

6A.1听 East Midlands Regional Committee

In second paragraph, delete ', there is however significant anecdotal evidence that suggests that the Ofsted model has a detrimental impact.' and replace with:

'However, there is strong empirical evidence which suggests Ofsted has many detrimental impacts on teachers and education.鈥�

In the sentence:

鈥榟as systematically failed to improve standards in Colleges and Universities (as well as schools)鈥� add between 'and' and 'Universities' the words 'the teacher training sections of'

New paragraph, governance, after paragraph 8.2

7 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Reform of University and College Governance听听听听 University of Falmouth

Congress believes that motions passed at previous congress, HE and FE sector conferences in respect of reform of University and College Governance should be reaffirmed and in particular to draw from the HE Governance Review and the address at 2012 Scotland Congress that academic freedom should be protected and that democracy and transparency in governance should be underlined. To this end 51福利 is called upon to campaign effectively to achieve a national regulatory framework for governance that ensures:

鈥� Academic freedom

鈥� Trade union and student union representation on governing bodies (Boards, Councils etc.) and committees including senior management remuneration

鈥� Academic or subject specialist and local authority membership of governing bodies

鈥� Election of chairs of governing bodies.

And that Governance is to ensure that an HE or FE institution鈥檚 fundamental raison d'锚tre is to:

鈥� Create, develop and disseminate knowledge through education and research

鈥� Reflect the needs of staff, students and local communities.

7A.1听 London Metropolitan University, City

Add at end:

鈥楽pecifically 鈥榯ransparency in governance鈥� includes the timely and full publication of minutes of Boards of Governors and 鈥榓cademic freedom鈥� includes the unrestricted right of student and staff representatives to communicate with their constituencies.

Immediately following Congress 51福利 will contact sympathetic national political parties with a view to inclusion of these principles within their 2015 political manifestos.鈥�

8听听听听听听听听 Mandatory publication of Senior Management KPIs used for pay determination听听听听听听听听听听 University of Bath

Congress notes the eye-watering increases in pay that have been awarded to Vice Chancellors, Principals and other members of the senior management teams of universities and colleges. These increases have even been recently condemned by David Willets and Vince Cable in their BIS HEFCE grant allocation letter to Universities. However when those (usually a Remuneration Committee) who decide the pay of people at the top are questioned as to the reasons for such largesse, we are told that pay rises are linked to performance.

In the absence of employee voice on remuneration committees, Congress instructs the NEC to demand through the national bargaining machinery that institutions publish exact details of the Key Performance Indicators used by such committees when measuring performance. Further, this information should explicitly explain the link between performance and reward in a way that is understandable to staff, students and the UK tax-payer.

SECTION 2: BUSINESS OF THE RECRUITMENT, ORGANISING AND CAMPAIGNING COMMITTEE

Section 7 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

Towards 2015, paragraph 3.1

9 (EP)听听听听听听听听 Standing up for Post-16 Education听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress notes the continuing work undertaken by ROCC in supporting local and national disputes; developing a broad campaign to increase funding for post-16 education; increasing member participation; and highlighting recruitment.

Congress recognises this is its last meeting before the 2015 Westminster General Election and calls upon ROCC to prioritise work with the Education Committee and devolved nations to raise the profile of post-16 education as a political issue across the UK.

Opposing marketisation and privatisation, paragraph 4.1

10听听听听听 Anti-Privatisation Campaign听听听听听听听听听听听听 Queen Mary University of London

Congress notes the continuing drive to privatize ever-larger aspects of higher education provision within the UK. We also note the impact of privatisation on staff morale and the wider culture of universities as places of work and study. The precarious working conditions for part-time and casualised staff is a cause for particular concern.

Congress calls on 51福利 to organize a national campaign with trade unions and sympathetic parties and the National Union of Students in particular to build a national campaign against the continuing privatisation of UK higher education and a return to a publically funded and democratically accountable sector.

In particular we call for a national demonstration called with NUS in the autumn and a targeted national campaign during the May 2015 General Election focusing on marginal constituencies that have a university within them to mobilise HE trade unions and students in local campaigns focusing on privatisation.

Supporting members at work, paragraph 5.3

11 (EP)听听听听听听 Importance of national campaigns听听听听听听听听听听听听 City and Islington College, Finsbury Park

Congress believes:

1) That we need national campaigns if we are to defend post 16 education and our members conditions of service.

2) That 51福利 will not be able to build effective trade union organisation without national campaigns. We will not beat this government college by college or university by university.

Congress resolves:

1) To ensure that where a dispute is regarded to be a 鈥榣ocal dispute of national significance鈥� that the national union puts its full weight behind that dispute encouraging branches to invite those in dispute into their institutions to build solidarity.

2) For the 51福利 Campaigns Team to send out on a weekly basis a list of all universities and colleges that are taking action to all branch officers inviting them to send messages of support.

11A.1 London Regional Committee

Add at end:

鈥楾he indefinite strike at Lambeth College shows members' resolve to defend conditions and fight back against aggressive and bullying management. Such strike action is the most effective way to ensure college managements do not engage in a race to the bottom on conditions or attempt to play off jobs against working conditions.鈥�

Rename paragraph 6: Casualised staff, after paragraph 6.1

12 (EP)听听听听听听 Composite: Opposing zero-hour contracts North West Regional Committee, Open University, Birmingham City University, London Metropolitan University (City Branch)

51福利 Congress notes 51福利 research in 2013 evidencing use of 鈥榸ero hours鈥� contracts in over 50% of all HE and two thirds of FE institutions. Workers on these contracts have no job security, minimal access to sick or holiday pay, little opportunity for professional development and, by default, work more unpaid hours than any other worker in education.

The use of zero hour contracts is endemic across the economy and many unions are fighting them. In 2013 workers from disparate working environments (Hovis bread makers and Edinburgh University lecturers) showed that zero hours contracts can be defeated. More than 400 workers (members of BFAWU), at a Hovis bakery in Wigan took two weeks鈥� strike action with mass pickets, which stopped the use of zero hours contracts.

51福利 is strongly opposed to the rapid increase in the number of zero hour contracts, which is part of the employers鈥� plan for a much greater number of casual contracts in FE and HE.

Congress resolves that all contracts that do not guarantee minimum hours or a minimum quantity of paid work (including for example the contracts offered to Open University Associate Lecturers) should be considered zero hours contracts and unacceptable atypical work contracts, and included in the campaign against zero hours contracts. 听听听听听

Congress deplores the increase in casual and zero hours contracts in education, in all roles, including non-academic and outsourced employees.

Congress believes that these contracts are unfair to employees, impact negatively on family life and often fail to deliver a living wage.

Congress instructs the NEC to continue to fight against casualisation in education and support campaigns for

1. scrapping zero hours contracts in education

2. the living wage

51福利 Congress further calls on 51福利 NEC to:

(a) call a lobby of Parliament (with other trade unions) calling for the outlawing of zero hours contracts.

(b) raise 鈥榸ero hours鈥� as a campaign issue in the run up to the next election

(d) work with all FE and HE unions and students and other unions against zero hour contracts.

(e) show support for union action against zero hour and casual contracts such as the struggle at Hovis.

(f) urge 51福利 branches to discuss what action should be taken to stop increasing casualisation in FE and HE.

12A.1 University of Edinburgh

In the second paragraph change 鈥楨dinburgh University lecturers鈥� to 鈥楨dinburgh University staff鈥�.

12A.2 Academic Related, Professional Staff Committee

In paragraph 5:听 delete 鈥榥on-academic鈥� onwards and replace with 鈥榓cademic staff, professional support and outsourced workers.鈥�

13听听听听 Zero tolerance for zero hours contacts听听听听听听 London regional committee

鈥榋ero-hour contracts鈥� have become a hot political topic this year.

Congress resolves to capitalize on this visibility by developing its support for branch officers in FE and HE to campaign and represent casualised staff.

Congress notes the wide variation in employment contracts within Regions (not every invidious casual contract is 'zero hour' or classed as employment) and the fact that branch officers have different knowledge and experience.

Congress further resolves to:

鈥� Add to the anti-casualisation toolkit a checklist of 鈥榚asy-win鈥� breaches and what to do about them, eg: failure to itemize holiday pay

鈥� Add to the toolkit examples of practical strategies for fighting casualization, including case histories, examples of information to gather etc

鈥� Support Regions developing local training initiatives and anti-casualisation networks so that reps can share information

鈥� Support a national lobby of Parliament against zero-hour contracts.

13A.1 Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Committee

Add at end:

'Congress instructs the NEC to approach other unions to plan a coordinated campaign to abolish zero hours contracts in education and other sectors, including helping to initiate a national anti-zero hours conference.

Congress agrees to donate 拢100 to the Fast Food Rights campaign, which is conducting an energetic campaign against such contracts in the service sector.'

14 (EP)听听听听听听 Fair pay for fractional and hourly-paid staff听听听听听听听 SOAS

Congress notes:

鈥� That higher education is one of the most heavily casualised sectors in the UK

鈥� The significance of 51福利鈥檚 Stamp out Casual Contracts campaign

鈥� That current pay arrangements for fractional and hourly-paid staff still do not reflect their actual workloads

Congress believes:

鈥� That it is a vital area of branch work to campaign for better pay and working conditions 鈥� and equal treatment of 鈥� teaching and research staff on fractional and hourly-paid contracts

鈥� That investment in all teaching staff is a vital component of improving the quality of teaching provision

Congress resolves:

鈥� To urge branches to launch and support campaigns such as Fractionals for Fair Play at SOAS that confront the reality of sub-minimum wage work for many academics
鈥� To urge branches to support any fractional or hourly-paid member of staff victimised by management for campaigning for improved contracts or better pay.

14A.1 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Under 鈥楥ongress notes鈥� add a fourth bullet point:

鈥榯hat disabled fractional and hourly paid staff often have requests for reasonable adjustments refused based on their contract which puts these members at a more substantial disadvantage in securing work in this casualised environment鈥�.

Under Congress resolves insert after first bullet point:

鈥榯o ensure through awareness raising and negotiation that disabled fractional and hourly paid staff have the same access to reasonable adjustments as staff on more secure contracts鈥�.

New paragraph, campaign against austerity

15 (EP) Food banks and welfare reform 听听听 Southern Retired Members鈥� Branch

Congress notes with great concern the large and rapidly increasing numbers of people who are dependent on food banks in the UK. Congress recognises that growing food and fuel poverty starkly highlight the failure by our current welfare system to meet even basic human needs. Congress rejects the simplistic and disingenuous claims by Conservative and Coalition commentators that 鈥榤ore people are using food banks because more of them are now available鈥�. Rather it is clear that this is the outcome of harsh and often punitive welfare reforms in which socially and economically disadvantaged people have borne the greatest impact of government austerity measures, and then been blamed for their own plight.

Congress instructs the NEC to work collaboratively with the TUC and other organisations to campaign for a welfare system that meets basic needs, thereby obviating reliance on charitable food banks to ensure basic survival.

New paragraph, right to protest

16 (EP) Defend the Right to Protest听听听听听听听听听听 East Midlands Regional Committee

Whereas university students have staged protests against:

鈥� the privatisation of university services which threaten the jobs of Higher Education Staff

鈥� to defend post-16 education against the government鈥檚 spending cuts and increase in tuition fees, and

鈥� to show their solidarity with staff seeking a pay increase and to establish the living wage for all employees in the Higher and Further Education Sectors;

Whereas universities have victimised student protestors by obtaining injunctions, suspending students or using the police to break up the protests.

This Congress calls on the NEC to support the right to protest by:

鈥� working closely with the NUS and other student groups as well with the other HE and FE staff unions to pressure Universities and Colleges not to take punitive action against students and staff engaging in peaceful protest;

鈥� circulating online petitions and urging members to sign;

鈥� mobilising members to join protest marches, rallies and picket lines.

16A.1 South East Regional Committee

Add at end: 'This Congress calls on the NEC to support the right to protest by revisiting 2012 and 2013 motions and devising a strategy to carry them forward, in particular: continuing official support from the General Secretary and other 51福利 national officers through supporting and speaking at public events; and sending regular e-literature to Branches for circulation to all members from the Defend the Right to Protest Campaign to which the 51福利 is affiliated.鈥�

SECTION 3: OTHER EMPLOYMENT RELATED BUSINESS

Section 4 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

New paragraph, employment conditions and rights, after paragraph 1.5

17 (EP)听听听听听听 Attacks on conditions听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Lambeth College

Congress notes the increased attempt to drive down conditions across HE and FE; in particular the attacks on contracts and conditions at Edinburgh College, Lambeth FE College and Liverpool University.

Congress believes that these attacks will have a dangerously negative impact on quality of education, and on the well-being of staff and are an attempt to remove state-funded education.

Congress resolves to launch a national campaign against attacks on conditions across HE and FE.

18 (EP)听听听听听听 Fair terms and conditions for all staff听听听听听听听听 Academic Related, Professional Staff Committee

51福利 is appalled by the cynical use of reviews and restructuring to make redundancies and replace these staff with temps or casualised staff within universities & colleges. 51福利 questions the legitimacy of this practice as many of these posts are not in any way short term and there is a substantial more permanent job available.

51福利 sees this as an attack on employment rights of these staff as they are unlikely to have proper contracts or paid holiday and are unable to afford decent pensions.

51福利 calls on the NEC and all branches/local associations to fight against this practice at local level, shaming managements that indulge in this shoddy employment practice.

Environmental work, paragraph 2.3

19 (EP)听听听听听听 Climate change听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Greenwich Community College

Congress notes:

that recent reports suggest that the last winter鈥檚 devastating floods in the wettest UK winter for 200 years were clear evidence of accelerating climate change due to human activity.

that the government have been keen to divert attention away from their responsibility for the severity of flooding in many areas due to cuts in the Environment Agency budget and their failure to address flood prevention measures or sufficient development of alternatives to energy production through oil, gas and nuclear means.

Congress resolves:

To encourage branches to elect green reps and bring to members鈥� attention materials on climate change for use in curriculums and as campaigning materials, such as those produced by the Campaign for Climate Change.

SECTION 4: BUSINESS OF THE STRATEGY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE TAKEN IN OPEN SESSION

Section 1 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

New paragraph, affiliations and work with other unions, after paragraph 2.4

20听听听听听听 Affiliation to NPC 听听听听听听听听听听Yorkshire and Humberside Retired Members鈥� Branch

Congress:

1. believes that all matters affecting the lives of retired people 鈥� pensions, health and social care, fuel costs, transport, etc 鈥� are matters of proper concern for working members.

2. reiterates its support for the campaigning work of the National Pensioners Convention on behalf of existing and future pensioners

3. notes that the NPC increasingly depends on affiliation fees, in particular from trade unions, to continue its work

4. therefore instructs the NEC to reverse the decision of the NEC in 2013 to pay a reduced affiliation fee and to pay the full fee in 2014.

21听听听听听听 Affiliation to the International Brigades Memorial听听听听听听 University of Central Lancashire

Congress notes the invaluable work of the International Brigades Memorial Trust (IBMT) in commemorating the veterans of the International Brigades from Britain and Ireland to the fight against Fascism in Europe during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and in educating others, especially young people, about the fight against Fascism in Spain as well as the importance and relevance of anti-fascist struggle in the present day. Congress endorses the aims of the IBMT in producing lectures, events, education packs and publications designed to ensure that the memory and spirit of the international 鈥榲olunteers for liberty鈥� lives on in the context of the resurgent threat of neo-fascism in Europe.

Congress instructs the national union to affiliate 51福利 to the IBMT.

22听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Commemoration of the Miners鈥� Strike听听听听听听听 Chesterfield College

Congress notes:

The 30th anniversary of the Great Miners strike of 1984/85.

The role played by many trade unionists including members of our predecessor unions NATFHE and AUT in delivering solidarity and support to striking miners.

The many commemoration events which have and will continue to be planned across the country to commemorate the strike.

The recent release of cabinet papers from 1984 which shows that the then government sought to influence police tactics to escalate the dispute, and actively considered declaring a state of emergency and deploying the Army to defeat the miners and unions.

Congress believes:

That many miners and their families were subject to police violence and a cover up of the truth of key events such as those at Orgreave in the summer of 1984.

Congress resolves:

To support the activities of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign.

22A.1 Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Committee

After 鈥楥ongress resolves to support the activities of鈥� add 鈥榓nd donate 拢100 to鈥�

Add at end: 'Congress supports calls for a public enquiry into the Orgreave events.'

23 Composite: Commemorating the First World War听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Committee, East Midlands Regional Committee

Congress notes the variety of interpretations among historians of World War 1.听 It defends the academic freedom to offer a range of interpretations of the war.听 It believes that students should have the right to learn about a variety of perspectives on World War 1.听 It condemns any attempts by Government ministers or others to impose a single view of the events of World War 1.

Congress deplores the attempt by Michael Gove to shape the commemoration of the First World War into a narrow nationalist and pro-war agenda and his attacks on respected academic historians. This follows on from Gove鈥檚 attempt to re-draft the history curriculum to fit his own particular viewpoint.

Congress supports the positive initiatives being organised around the country by educationalists and a range of community groups to commemorate World War 1 from an anti-war perspective.

Congress condemns attempts to use the deaths and sufferings of millions of people in World War 1 as the basis for nationalistic propaganda or to mobilise support for further wars.听 It supports the 鈥楴o Glory in War鈥� campaign launched by the Stop the War Coalition and urges the branches and regions to involve themselves in its activities.

23A.1 London South Bank University

Add at end:

鈥楥ongress urges 51福利 regions to work with other education trade unions and organisations such as Defend School History and the Stop the War Coalition to initiate teaching and learning events on WWI in Autumn 2014.鈥�

24 (EP) Composite: People鈥檚 Assembly Against Austerity听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Brighton (Grand Parade), Goldsmiths, University of London

Congress notes

the decision of the Labour Party further to distance itself from the trade union movement, and that many affiliated unions have reduced or cancelled their subscription;

that the 51福利 is not affiliated to any political party but that appropriate political affiliation is valuable for the ability of trade unions to appeal beyond the immediate ranks of the movement, and have an influence on political debates and ultimately on legislation;

that the People's Assembly is not a party but a combination of many in parties, and those in none, bringing together campaigns against cuts and privatisation, working with trade unions in a movement for social justice, and is supported by the General Secretaries of over 10 of Britain's major trade unions.

Congress further notes:

鈥� David Cameron鈥檚 Guildhall speech in November 2013 in which he said that austerity should be 鈥榩ermanent鈥�

鈥� That the majority of public sector cuts have yet to be put in place

鈥� The success of the People鈥檚 Assembly in uniting people in action against austerity from across the trade union, labour, progressive and anti-cuts movement.

Conference believes:

鈥� That an effective anti-austerity movement can facilitate the revival of workplace confidence and increase the possibility of coordinated action by trade unionists against austerity

鈥� That a weak recovery that does not raise working class living standards or stop the cuts is likely to increase anger at the government.

Conference agrees:

鈥� To confirm its support for the People鈥檚 Assembly Against Austerity

鈥� To support and actively encourage members to attend the national anti-cuts demonstration called by the People鈥檚 Assembly and the NUT on 21 June 2014.

Congress resolves to:

路 affiliate to the People's Assembly, and notify members of national events and mobilisations;

路 urge branches to affiliate to local People's Assemblies.

24A.1 London Regional Committee

Add new bullet point at end:

鈥樷棌听听 affiliate to Unite the Resistance, which exists to develop networks of solidarity and stronger links between rank and file workers and those trades union leaders willing to organise action against austerity.鈥�

International solidarity, paragraph 3.1.3 - 3.1.4

25听听听听听听听听 Campaign to free Francisco Toloza in Colombia 听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress condemns the persecution of Colombian trade unionists, particularly the imprisonment of academics. In January 2014, Francisco Toloza, a lecturer at Colombia鈥檚 National University, was imprisoned and has been charged with 鈥榬ebellion鈥�.

Mr. Toloza is a leading member of the Patriotic March, the mass opposition movement which has been hit particularly hard with detentions and killings. In August, the Patriotic March鈥檚 National Organiser, Huber Ballesteros, was imprisoned and in 2013, 26 of its members were killed.

Congress congratulates JfC鈥檚 successful work to support the peace process and calls on the Colombian state to stop persecuting critical academics and other opponents in order to achieve a lasting peace with social justice.

Congress resolves to:

路 continue to campaign to free Mr. Toloza and fight for justice for Dr. Beltran;

路 continue to support JfC, particularly its Peace and Political Prisoner campaigns;

路 write to branches encouraging them to affiliate to JfC.

26听听听听听听 Women in Gaza听听听听听听听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress notes:

路 that four mature students from Gaza who commenced MAs in Women's Studies at BirZeit University have been prevented from completing their studies.

路 that a student from Gaza has not been permitted to take up her place for a BA in law at BZU.

听Congress:

路 condemns the Israeli government's ongoing siege of Gaza and its blanket ban on students from Gaza going to the West Bank to study.

路 condemns the Egyptian authorities鈥� assaults on, and deportations of, the International Women鈥檚 Day delegation to Gaza in March 2014.

calls on the General Secretary to make the strongest possible representations to the Israeli Embassy, the Egyptian Embassy and the FCO in support of the right of women from Gaza to study at the institution of their choice and the right of women to travel to Gaza to show solidarity with their sisters under siege.

26A.1 Women members鈥� Standing Committee

Under 鈥楥ongress notes鈥� insert two new bullet points at the beginning, as follows:

鈥樷棌听 that Gaza is still occupied by Israel and has been subject to a land, sea and air blockade since 2007

路 that the blockade has had a devastating effect on education, in particular preventing students from Gaza leaving to study elsewhere鈥�

Under 鈥楥ongress:鈥� add final bullet point at the end:

鈥樷棌听 instructs the NEC to send a delegation of 51福利 members, at least half of whom will be women, to Gaza as soon as possible in liaison with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.鈥�

After paragraph 3.1.7

27听听听听听听听听 Egypt 鈥� struggle for democracy and justice听听听听 University of Brighton, Moulscoomb

Congress expresses grave concern at the far-reaching assault on human rights in Egypt, three years after the toppling of Mubarak.

Congress calls for the:

鈥� unconditional release of those imprisoned in Egypt for exercising rights to free expression and assembly;

鈥� repeal of Law 107, restricting rights to public assembly;

鈥� end to trials of civilians in military and State Security courts.

Congress resolves to:

鈥� endorse and circulate to all members the MENA Solidarity Network Egypt Solidarity statement, signed by union General Secretaries, including 51福利;

鈥� write to the Egyptian authorities (Ambassador and appropriate Ministries) condemning military repression;

鈥� write an open letter to the UK government calling for suspension of all financial, military or other support to the Egyptian authorities which may be used to violate the rights of Egyptian citizens;

鈥� offer to organise with MENASN, and jointly to host with other unions, the NUS and Trades Councils, regional meetings on the Egyptian struggle.

28听听听听听听听听 Solidarity with Kadaikanal听听听听听听听听听听听听 Queen Margaret University

Congress notes that the Leverhulme Trust, a significant funder of work undertaken by academics in the UK, is financed and controlled by Unilever.

Unilever's Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, is accused of poisoning workers and contaminating the environment with toxic mercury in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, where it operated a mercury thermometer plant.

Congress therefore mandates the general secretary to write to Unilever UK and the Leverhulme Trust urging both to use their good offices to ensure that workers are compensated and rehabilitated, and that the environment is remediated.

29听听听听听听 Russia: Civil Society Threatened, Scapegoating and Persecution of LGBT People听听听听听听听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

After the 1917 Russian Revolution homosexuality was decriminalised. Over time these rights were reversed, until after the collapse of the USSR Russia liberalised some anti-LGBT laws.

In an era of crisis and growing inequality in Russia there is a new backlash such as the recent ban by the Russian parliament on 鈥榟omosexual propaganda'. This has encouraged violent attacks on LGBT individuals and events. Other vulnerable groups are also being scapegoated.

Russia is at the bottom of ILGA Europe's index of human rights abuses of LGBT people. There is concern for LGBT education staff in Russia and our members working in Russia.

Congress calls on 51福利 to:

Express solidarity with Russian Prides and Russian ILGA Europe affiliate organisations.
To share experiences of working for LGBT rights with Russian advocacy groups

To condemn homophobia and transphobia in Russia and carefully assess the situation for LGBT members working there.

Campaigning for education, paragraph 3.2.1

30听听听听听 Composite: The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)听 National Executive Committee, Northumbria University, London Retired Members鈥� Branch, University of Glasgow

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a proposed trade deal between the USA and the EU.

Congress welcomes the NEC resolution on the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and the consequent briefing paper, with the campaigning points therein.

Congress believes that TTIP poses profound threats to public services, including education, workers鈥� rights and environmental standards. Congress is also concerned that the talks are being pursued without any transparency or democratic oversight.

It will make disputes between companies and governments the preserve of 鈥渋nvestor-state dispute settlement鈥� (ISDS) tribunals, dominated by corporate lawyers. Such mechanisms have been used in many parts of the world to kill regulations protecting people and the environment, and would prevent future governments from renationalising privatised services.

While the European Commission has agreed to consult about the ISDS proposals, it has also stated that the mechanism is necessary because national courts 鈥渕ight be biased or lack independence.鈥�

Congress is unconvinced by the grandiose claims of job creation by the TTIP, and considers that the dangers posed by this proposed treaty vastly outweigh any potential benefits.

The Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) envisaged within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) as well as EU-level trade agreements under negotiation with Singapore, Canada and India, would give dangerous, unfettered rights to private investors to threaten public services and sue governments or public authorities were they to block company profit-making by legislating in the public interest. This threatens the scope of governments to choose to restore areas of service currently run by the private sector back into public ownership. The secretive, bureaucratic, and costly nature of ISDS processes inevitably favours multinational corporations.

Congress resolves to:听听

鈥�听听听听听听听 oppose the TTIP as an attack on democracy on behalf of multi-national corporations;

鈥�听听听听听听听 call for all public services, including education, to be clearly excluded from the scope of the agreement;

鈥�听听听听听听听 continue to inform 51福利 members of the threat that TTIP poses to them and their industry;

鈥�听听听听听听听 campaign with MPs, peers and MEPs as far as possible, to oppose all detrimental aspects of TTIP;

鈥�听听听听听听听 press TUC and EI to widen their campaign of opposition to TTIP, 听听 seeking allies amongst other union federations in Europe and the 听听听听听 United States;听

鈥�听听听听听听听 requests all branches to raise the issue in local trades councils and other bodies to which they are affiliated

Congress instructs the NEC to:

路 campaign vigorously against all aspects of the TTIP, particularly in defence of public health and education provision and protection of the environment;

路 continue to raise awareness of TTIP and ISDS;

路 lobby MPs and MEPs in opposition to all detrimental aspects of such trade agreements;

路 take a motion to the 2014 TUC Congress on TTIP/ISDS;

路 continue to call for the exclusion of public services, including tertiary education, from trade negotiations.

30A.1 University of Liverpool

Insert at end of third paragraph:

鈥楥ongress believes that TTIP threatens public services and jobs from the north to the south in all EU countries.鈥�

Add two bullet points at end of 鈥楥ongress resolves to鈥� section:

鈥楥ampaign with all unions fighting for re-nationalisation, such as the RMT.

Campaign with other unions for a European wide movement and build direct links at a national and local level with all union and social movements across Europe and the US that are fighting TTIP.鈥�

New paragraph, pensions, after 3.2.3

31 (EP)听听听听听听 Pensions policy听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Committee

Conference notes that:

1. many of today鈥檚 pensioners, including some former lecturers, are living in officially defined poverty.

2. the new state pension will bring no change to their or any other existing pensioner鈥檚 income other than a cumulative loss of value from the use of CPI as the inflation measure.

3. the vast majority of future pensioners will receive little or no benefit from the new state pension system, which is designed to reduce the pensions bill.

4. occupational pensions of 51福利 members and other workers are under sustained attack. Many members will be worse off in retirement than they had planned, and may face years of extreme hardship if they are unable to work to the ever-rising pension age.

5. Congress therefore commits 51福利 to campaign with other trade unions for a thorough review of pensions policy by a future government, not limited by an artificial austerity agenda.

32听听听听 Collective action on pensions听听听听听听听听听听听 Eastern and Home Counties Retired Members鈥� branch

Congress notes that:

the number of people with an occupational pension is decreasing and these pensions are falling in value.听 Both the present and the new government proposed state pensions are insufficient to support an adequate standard of living.

In view of the uncertainty facing all workers, Congress calls on 51福利 to urge the TUC to treat pensions with the same importance as wages and to make fundamental changes to its committee structure to this end.

32A.1 London Retired Members鈥� branch

Insert at end of first paragraph:
鈥業n the light of this, universal benefits such as free travel and the winter fuel allowance assume increased importance. 51福利 will therefore give full support to the NPC "Hands off universal pensioner benefits" campaign both to defend the rights of existing pensioners and to safeguard these and similar rights for future generations. No means testing.鈥�

New paragraph, pay

33听听听听听听 Fighting national disputes together 听听听听听听听听听听Manchester Metropolitan University

This Congress:

notes

路 The 100% pay deduction at MMU for a 2-hour strike

路 That in response the MMU Branch voted for escalation

路 That MMU management is threatening to deduct 100% in any marking boycott

路 That only branches suffering punitive pay-docking had the option of escalation

believes

路 That during national action any attack by one employer is the direct concern of every branch

路 That during national action every branch attacked individually must be supported by the whole union

demands

路 That during national action, branches which suffer individualised attacks from management must have the option of escalation

路 That during national action, when there are individualised attacks all branches involved in the action must have the opportunity of escalation

路 That the 51福利 nationally should provide information and support to this effect

CBC advice: if amendment 33A.1 is passed, the last two sentences of amendment 33A.2 fall.

33A.1 National Executive Committee

Delete the last three bullet points and replace with:

鈥榯hat national support and advice should be provided to branches under attack during a dispute, enabling the consideration of possible forms of escalation during that dispute鈥�

33A.2 South East Regional Committee

Delete 'This Congress notes the 100% pay deduction at MMU for a 2-hour strike' at beginning and insert:

'This Congress:

condemns the 100% pay deduction at MMU, the University of Surrey and other HE institutions for a 2-hour strike'

Insert 'notes' at the beginning of the 3 remaining bullet points.

Replace 'must' with 'should' in 7th and 8th bullet points.

33A.3 North West Regional Committee

Add to end:

鈥楶unitive pay docking during a national dispute must be treated as 鈥渁n injury to one is an injury to all鈥�. No institution(s) should be left to fight alone. It demands a national response. 51福利 must call on all branches in a sector to support individual institutions, including by industrial action and escalating national action, until the selective punitive deductions cease.鈥�

New paragraph, relations with NUS

34听听听听听听 Improving relationship with student unions听听听听听 Teesside University

Recent industrial action by our union has demonstrated the central importance of student understanding and support for our union鈥檚 goals. Despite some outstanding examples the 51福利 relationship with student unions in HE & FE remains uneven with many local student leaders being indifferent or even hostile to our union鈥檚 necessary industrial action in the face of management intransigence. We call for a working party to be set up to examine with NUS leadership how a joint program of information sharing and advocacy could improve relationships and mutual understanding and to report to Congress 2015 with the goal to increase the effectiveness of staff and student joint action in future disputes.

SECTION 5: RULE CHANGES to be taken in private session

CBC advice: if motion 35 is lost, the first two paragraphs of motion 58 fall.

35听 Composite: Rule change (Rule 12.6)听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Leeds Metropolitan University, South East Regional Committee, Greenwich Community College

Amend Rule 12.6:

At the end of Rule 12.6 delete 鈥榯he Rules of the union and with any guidance issued by the National Executive Committee.鈥� And replace with 鈥淢odel Local Rules agreed by Congress鈥�.

The relevant sentence would then read:

鈥楤ranches/Local Associations shall adopt their own Rules which shall be consistent with Model Local Rules agreed by Congress.鈥�

Purpose听

To clarify the current woolly and indistinct wording of 12.6 which is open to misinterpretation. To ensure that changes to model local branch Rules are less likely to be encouraged by the current indistinct wording of 12.6. Since late 2012 this last part of Rule 12.6 has been interpreted by some of the NEC to mean that the NEC has the authority to propose substantial changes to the union鈥檚 Rules without any reference back to Congress. Many members have also suggested that the NEC is not the appropriate body to amend these Rules which should be done by Annual Congress delegates in an appropriate Rules revision session.

36听听听听听 Discussion of motions at NEC听 East Midlands Regional Committee

Amend first line of 12.6.2 as follows:

after 'local associations' add 'and regional committees'. Remove superfluous 'and'.

In (iii), after 'receive', add 'after discussion'

Purpose

To ensure the NEC discusses motions sent by branches and local associations.

37听听听听听 Rule change: Prioritisation of Congress motions National Executive Committee

16.7, delete 鈥榚ight鈥�, replace with 鈥�15鈥�; delete 鈥榯hree, working鈥�, replace with 鈥榚ight鈥�.

Add new rule 16.9: 鈥楾he process set out in the Congress standing orders for the ordering of Congress and sector conference motions and amendments submitted in accordance with rules 16.6.1-16.6.5 may include a process for the prioritisation of motions.鈥�

Renumber rules as necessary.

Changes to Congress Standing Orders:

SO 1, delete 鈥�16鈥�, replace with 鈥�24鈥�.

SO 2, delete 鈥榯en鈥�, replace with 鈥�18鈥�.

SO 6, delete 鈥楢s far as practicable鈥�; delete 鈥榮ent鈥�, replace with 鈥榤ade available鈥�; delete 鈥榥ot later than two working weeks before the first session of the annual meetings.鈥�, replace with 鈥榓s soon as practicable after each meeting of the Congress Business Committee.鈥�

SO 12, add at end: 鈥楲ate and emergency motions submitted after the first circulation of CBC鈥檚 second report will not be taken before prioritised motions in the relevant section of Congress business have been taken.鈥�

Existing SO 13, move to become SO 18 and renumber standard orders as necessary.

Existing SO 14, move to become SO 19 and renumber standard orders as necessary.

SO 15, delete 鈥榮tructure of the Annual Report鈥�, replace with 鈥榗hapters of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress鈥�; delete 鈥榓 guide to鈥�, replace with 鈥榮ections for鈥�.听 Renumber as SO 13.

Insert new SO 14: 鈥楳otions submitted to Congress will be prioritised by means of a ballot in which branches and regional committees will cast votes. Voting must take place in accordance with the same procedure for the submission of amendments to Congress motions as set out in standing order 3.3 above. In institutions with more than one branch, quorate meetings of coordinating committees will be responsible for agreeing the priority voting for their institutions. Each eligible body shall cast up to three votes for Congress motions in each section of Congress business. The votes cast will be weighted by the Congress delegate entitlement of the submitting body in whose name the votes are cast. Branch, coordinating and regional committees will inform their relevant memberships of the votes that have been cast in the name of the branch, institution or regional committee and the decision-making process followed.鈥�

Insert new SO 15: 鈥楾he period for the casting of votes shall normally be the three-week period following the publication of the Congress Business Committee鈥檚 second report.鈥�

Insert new SO 16: 鈥楶riority motions will be ordered at the start of each section of Congress business, along with those motions listed in standing order 17 below as exempt from the prioritisation process. All other motions will be listed in the relevant section of business, in the order in which those motions were ranked in the ballot, and will be taken if time permits.鈥�

Insert new SO 17: 鈥楾he following motions are not subject to the priority voting process and will automatically be treated by CBC as priority motions:

路 Motions from the NEC dealing with the union鈥檚 finances (including budget, accounts, appointment of auditors and setting of subscription rates).

路 Motions from the NEC to change the rules in order to meet a statutory obligation or to remove conflict or uncertainty from the rules, or to ensure their operational integrity.

路 Motions from the NEC which an earlier Congress has instructed the NEC to bring forward, which may include rule changes or policies for approval.

路 Three other motions from the NEC.

路 One motion from each of the bodies representing members in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.鈥�

Renumber standing orders as necessary.

Insert new SO 29: 鈥業f, at the time a non-prioritised motion is reached for debate on the agenda, there is no indication to the chair of any delegate wishing to speak in opposition to the motion, the vote on the motion shall normally be taken as soon as that motion has been moved.鈥�

Insert new SO 30: 鈥楳otions which re-state existing policy, and which have not been designated 鈥榩riority鈥� motions, and which do not have amendments attached which would if passed create new policy, will be taken without debate.鈥�

Renumber standing orders as necessary.

SO 49 viii, delete 鈥榞rouping鈥�, replace with 鈥榓llocation鈥�; delete 鈥榰nder paragraph headings within appropriate sections of the Annual Report.鈥� and replace with 鈥榯o chapters of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress, which shall form the sections of Congress business.鈥�

SO 50, delete 鈥榤otions and鈥�; delete 鈥榯hereof.鈥�, replace with 鈥榦f motions and amendments.鈥�; Add at end: 鈥楾his shall form the Congress Business Committee鈥檚 second report.鈥�

Renumber standing orders as necessary.

Insert new SO 57: 鈥楩ollowing the publication of the second report, institutions and regional committees shall be asked to vote for priority motions as described in standing order 14. The Congress Business Committee will meet as soon as practicable after the deadline for the casting of votes. At this meeting, in addition to relevant matters under standing order 56, the Committee will:

i. order the three motions with the highest vote in each section of Congress business at the beginning of the relevant section of business, along with any relevant motions excluded from the prioritisation process as set out in standing order 17

ii. order the remaining motions in each section of business, in the order of the vote received in support of the motion

听iii. finalise a timetable for the sections of Congress business, providing sufficient time for the debate of priority motions in each section of Congress business.

These recommendations will form the Congress Business Committee鈥檚 third report which will be published as soon as possible after the committee鈥檚 third meeting.鈥�

Renumber standing orders as necessary.

Purpose

To implement the instruction from Congress 2013 to bring forward, following consultation with branches and Congress delegates, rule and standing order changes to introduce a proposed system for the prioritisation of Congress motions most important to branches and members. The proposal brings forward the timetable for Congress to allow for a three-week period in which branches (as institutions) and regional committees vote for three priority motions within each section of the annual report to Congress.

38听听听听听 Rule changes听听听听听听听 NEC structure听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

18.8.1, delete 鈥�14鈥�, replace with 鈥榥ine鈥�. (鈥楾here will be nine UK-elected members of the National Executive Committee who are elected by and from members of the Higher Education Sector.鈥�)

18.8.2i. delete 鈥榝our鈥�, replace with 鈥榯wo鈥� (鈥榓t least two will be employed... in a pre-1992 institution鈥�)

18.8.2ii. delete 鈥榝our鈥�, replace with 鈥榯wo鈥� (鈥榓t least two will be employed... in a post-1992 institution鈥�)

18.8.4 , delete 鈥�10鈥�, replace with 鈥榝ive鈥�. (鈥楾here will be five UK-elected members of the National Executive Committee who are elected by and from members of the Further Education Sector.鈥�)

Delete clause 18.8.5i (鈥榓t least one will be employed... in land based education鈥�)

18.10.2, delete 鈥榮even鈥�, replace with 鈥榝our or five鈥�; delete 鈥榝our鈥�, replace with 鈥榯hree鈥� (鈥極f the four or five UK-elected Higher Education seats for which elections are held each year, the minimum number of seats that must be filled by women is three...鈥�)

18.10.3, delete 鈥榝ive鈥�, replace with 鈥榯wo or three鈥�; delete 鈥榯hree鈥�, replace with 鈥榯wo鈥� (鈥極f the two or three UK-elected Further Education seats for which elections are held each year, the minimum number of seats that must be filled by women is two...鈥�)

18.11.1, delete 鈥極ne seat will be reserved for a representative from the HE sector and one seat will be reserved for a representative from the FE sector.鈥�

Add new 18.13.1:

18.13 Seats for members in land-based education

18.13.1There will be one national executive committee seat for a representative of members in land-based education, to be filled by a member of either sector. To be eligible for election this seat a member must be employed in land-based education in their main employment, or, if not employed at the time of nomination, have been most recently employed in land-based education in their main employment.

18.13.2 (as currently numbered), delete 鈥�18.8.2 or 18.8.5 or 18.12.1鈥�, replace with 鈥�18.8.2, 18.8.5, 18.12.1 or 18.13.1鈥�.

19.1, delete 鈥楽even鈥�, replace with 鈥楩our or five鈥� (鈥楩our or five UK-elected Higher Education members of the National Executive Committee will be elected each year...鈥�)

19.2, delete 鈥楩ive鈥�, replace with 鈥楾wo or three鈥�. (鈥楾wo or three UK-elected Further Education members of the National Executive Committee will be elected each year...鈥�)

19.6, after 鈥榓nd two representative of black members,鈥� add, 鈥榓nd for the seat described in rule 18.13.1 for a representative of members in land-based education鈥�.

Add new rule 19.10:

19.10 Members of the NEC elected prior to rule changes passed by 51福利 annual Congress 2014 shall continue to serve out the NEC terms to which they were elected. (This rule to be deleted following the close of Congress 2016.)

20.5, add at end of order in which ballots will be counted 鈥榵ii. Representative of members in land-based education鈥�.

Re-number rules as necessary.

Purpose

To implement the new NEC structure agreed at Congress 2013.

38A.1 听听听听听听听听听 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Delete 鈥� 18.11.1 鈥榙elete 鈥極ne seat will be reserved for a representative from the HE sector and one seat will be reserved for a representative from the FE sector鈥�.

39听听听听听 Age Equality Standing Committee听听听听 Southern Retired Members鈥� Branch

Rule 23 Equality structures

23.1. In line one delete 鈥榝our鈥� and insert 鈥榝ive鈥�.

Add new

v. Age Equality Standing Committee (AEC)

23.2. In lines one and two delete 鈥榝our鈥� and insert 鈥榝ive鈥�

Purpose

The current 51福利 Equality structures do not afford to age the same recognition and value as they properly do to Black, Disabled, LBGT and Women members. This rule change addresses that anomaly.

40听听听听听 National Meetings of Retired Members 听听听听听 Yorkshire and Humberside Retired Members鈥� Branch

New Rule 24 (and renumber existing Rule 24 and all subsequent Rules)

National Meetings of Retired Members

24.1

There will be a formally scheduled meeting of all retired member branch delegates to Congress which will be held at a time when Sector Conferences are in session. The meeting shall elect a chair from amongst those attending. Any resolutions agreed by the meeting may be forwarded to the NEC if so decided.

24.2The meeting shall elect 51福利鈥檚 representatives on the Executive and National Council of the National Pensioners鈥� Convention, representative(s) on the Public Service Pensioners Council and the 51福利 representative on the TUC Pensioners Committee.

24.3 A formally scheduled meeting of representatives from Retired Members Branches shall be held annually in the autumn term, which will have the right to forward resolutions to the NEC. The meeting will elect a chair from amongst those attending. Representation shall be on the basis of two members per retired members鈥� branch.

Purpose

To afford a low-cost opportunity for retired members to meet and discuss issues specific to their role while attending Congress.

This would be a formalisation of existing practice.

to enable retired members to bring issues to the attention of the NEC.

to ensure that those who represent 51福利 on retired member matters are responsible to retired members

to provide an additional opportunity for retired members branch representatives to discuss issues of importance in between meetings of Congress.

CBC advice: if motion 41 is lost, the last paragraph of motion 58 and motions 59 and 60 fall.

41听听听听听 Rule change听听听听听听听听听 North West Regional Committee

Rule 29.1

Delete full stop at end

Add 鈥渁greed by National Congress. Any local variations may be agreed by the National Executive Committee鈥�

Purpose

To ensure that changes to Standing Orders for Regional Committees are agreed by National Congress. Where Regions wish to have local variations these can be agreed by the NEC, rather than having to wait for the next National Congress

42听听听听听 Amendment to Congress Standing Orders: chair鈥檚 casting vote听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

SO 41, delete 鈥榯he person in the Chair shall have the right to exercise a second casting vote.鈥� Replace with 鈥榯he Chair will declare the proposition 鈥渘ot carried鈥�.鈥�

The SO will then read: In the event of an equality of votes the person in the Chair will declare the proposition 鈥渘ot carried鈥�.

Purpose

To remove the chair鈥檚 second casting vote in line with the principle expressed in the Rules and NEC standing orders.

SECTION 6: BUSINESS OF THE STRATEGY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE TAKEN IN PRIVATE SESSION

Section 1 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

Finance and property, after paragraph 1.2

43听听听听听听 Appointment of auditors听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress approves the appointment of Knox Cropper as the union鈥檚 auditors for the year ending 31 August 2014.

44听听听听听听 Audited financial statements to 31 August 2013听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress receives the union鈥檚 audited financial statements for the 12-month period ending 31 August 2013 as set out in 51福利/576.

45听听听听听听 Budget 2014-2015听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress endorses the budget for September 2014 鈥� August 2015 as set out in 51福利/575.

46听听听听听听 Subscription rates 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress endorses the subscription rates from 1 September 2014 as set out in 51福利/575.

47听听听听听听 Subscription rates - investigating the possibility of Introductory Membership听 South West Regional Committee

Congress recognises that increasing membership is essential for 51福利. One option would be to offer Introductory Membership for a period of a year at a cost of 拢1 per month. This membership will have limited rights to services and will not be open to returning members. Members can choose to opt out at the end of the year or automatically convert to full membership.

Congress instructs NEC to explore the potential for adopting an Introductory Membership scheme and instructs NEC to report back on its findings with recommendations within six months of Congress.

47A.1听 University of Bath

Add the following at the end of motion:

鈥楥ongress also believes that it is vital that we attract new members, particularly those at the start of the careers in HE, so as to increase and re-normalise union membership. The subscription rates applicable to most employed post-graduate students raise only small amounts of revenue for the 51福利 but represent a significant barrier to membership.

Conference therefore resolves to remove subscription rates for post-graduate students employed in HE earning less than 拢10,000 per annum.鈥�

48听听听听听听 Retired members鈥� subscriptions听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Northern Retired Members鈥� Branch

Congress instructs the General Secretary and the NEC to rescind immediately the dishonourable and anti-trade union decision to withdraw membership from life paid members unless they pay and pay again.

This is an attack on retired members and their branches.

New paragraph, internal 51福利 matters

49听听听听听听 Union democracy听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 North West Regional Committee

Congress is extremely concerned about the impact of internal 51福利 organisational restructuring and finances on democracy and accountability of members, reps and officers of the union. This Congress reaffirms our commitment to full open and transparent consultation at all levels of the Union on all issues impacting on representation services and wider participation in the labour and trade union movement. We therefore call on the NEC to ensure that adequate consultation is enabled prior to any such decisions being taken.

49A.1 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add at end: 鈥榃e also call on the NEC to ensure that any further organisational restructuring is undertaken with a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to any proposed change. Any EIA must also include a full and thorough consultation process incorporating all affected groups and committees as appropriate.鈥�

50听听听听听听 Conference Structure 听听听听听听听听听听听 Lancaster Adult College

Congress calls on 51福利 to recognise the special difficulties for the adult education sector.听 There should be an Adult Education Sector Conference, separate from the FE Sector Conference, as part of Congress planning.

51 (EP)听听听听听听 Constitutional change听听听 51福利 Scotland Executive Committee

Congress welcomes the internal dialogue, involving 51福利 representatives from the devolved nations, that has begun over the past year. It is vital that the union is organised to enable it to be effective in the devolved nations, and regardless of the outcome of the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence.

The union needs to ensure that its policy, campaigning and organising framework enables our representatives to operate consistently and effectively in the devolved political and policy contexts.

Congress, calls for the continued dialogue involving devolved nations representatives, to take forward this strategy to ensure 51福利 remains an effective bargaining force.

52听听听听听听听听 Enhancing the role of Retired Members鈥� Branches (RMBs)听听听 East Midlands Retired Members鈥� branch

This Congress reaffirms that RMBs have a valuable auxiliary role in supporting the campaigns of the 51福利. They should be informed similarly to workplace branches of the campaigning activities and rallies of the 51福利 and be consulted on issues particularly relevant to retired members. In accordance with 12.6.2 iii they should have the right to make representation to the NEC and 鈥渞eceive a timely reply鈥�.

Two initial steps should be taken:

i.)The Equality Conference should include a component that relates to the needs of older and retired members;

ii.) The meeting of RMBs held during Congress shall be empowered to send two resolutions to the NEC which shall be discussed and voted on, and the result of those deliberations presented in the annual report to the following Congress.

Modest proposals that have little or no financial cost.

New paragraph, legal assistance

53听听听听听听 Representation by branch reps at employment tribunals听听听听听 College of North West London

The branch recognises the successes of the branch in a number of cases, both internally and at ET, without any assistance received from 51福利 legal services. The branch considers that it is unjust to expect branch reps to forego a day鈥檚 pay to fight these cases at an ET. The Branch therefore urges 51福利 to make up for the loss of wages of reps, with a track record of success and who take up cases on behalf of members and also to pay the Tribunal fees for affected members represented by these reps.

New paragraph, branch and regional committee standing orders

54听 Composite: Model branch/local association rules听听听听听听听听听听听听 Leeds Metropolitan University, South East Regional Committee

Congress notes the proposed changes to model local branch/local association Rules agreed by the NEC majority in November 2013 and subsequently passed to branches for adoption.

In the interests of union democracy, and to ensure the fullest and most open discussion, Congress instructs the new NEC to withdraw these proposed changes and inform branches/local associations that the status quo ante (ie the model local branch Rules prior to November 2013) will prevail until such time as a future Annual Congress Rules session might adopt any relevant Rule changes.

55听听听听听听听听听听 No to imposition of local rules听听听 University of Liverpool

The imposition of new model rules for 51福利 branches and regions is unacceptable in a democratic member-led union.

The setting of a quorum of 5% (with a maximum of 50) means that in larger branches decisions regarding matters of local and national importance will be far more difficult to make.

With respect to decisions on taking industrial action quorums of 20% for the larger branches will extremely difficult to achieve and in reality will make it impossible to decide on taking action at branch meetings.

The use of e-polls following member meetings will slow down branch responses to offensives by local employers. This will play entirely into the hands of aggressive employers.

We call upon congress to suspend the recently imposed rules and to initiate a review of procedures with a view to strengthening branch democracy and member participation.

55A.1听听听听听 Southern Regional Committee

Add at end:

鈥楥ongress instructs the NEC to enter a period of consultation with branches and Regional Committees. This period shall be no shorter than six months, and the responses to the consultation shall be published at least one month before the deadline for Congress motions in 2015.鈥�

56听听听听听听听听听听 Quoracy rules for branch meetings听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Hull

The new 51福利 model branch rules stipulate the quoracy rules of general meetings (paragraphs 4.6 and 4.7). However, these rules present potential problems for branches.

In practice, reaching 1/20th of the membership as required in 4.6 is not a trivial challenge. Of more concern from a democratic perspective, if the quorum is not met, 4.7 allows for a quorum of only three members.

We ask NEC to review the model rules, and to consider determining the quorum by

i) amending rule 4.6 to require a number at least n more than the size of the local committee,

ii) amending rule 4.7, allowing for a size of m (of whom at least half should be non-committee members)

iii) where n and m are determined by each branch, but with minimum values specified in the rules, e.g. n = committee size, and m = number of committee officers (which reflects branch size).

57听听听听听听听听听听 Model local rules and members on casualised contracts 听听 Anti Casualisation Committee

Congress notes:

1) vast numbers of staff on casualised contracts, and the necessity of bringing more into active membership and strengthening industrial action

2) in the new model local rules:

鈥� branch committee representation of the casualised is an option in an appendix

鈥� motions to the Annual Meeting of Members on Casualised Contracts can only come from a general meeting; previous rules also allowed a properly convened meeting of members on casualised contracts, or the committee, to agree them

3) when local meetings of the casualised choose motions on casualisation it gives new activists confidence in their voice and the union

Congress calls for changes to model local rules:

a) An Anti-Casualisation Officer, whose main employment is casualised, or has been in the past two years

b) the representation of other significant vulnerably employed groups on the committee

c) reinstatement of the previous rule on motions to the annual meeting

58听听听听听 Congressional authority over Rules and constituent parts of the Union London Regional Committee

Congress re-asserts its unique overall authority to determine the Rules of the Union and any constitutional changes that affect the constituent parts of the Union. As such Congress here clarifies the position regarding changes to Rules and to the powers and status of 51福利鈥檚 other constituent elected bodies including regions, local associations and branches.

Specifically Congress asserts that any current 鈥楳odel Rules鈥� for branches and local associations remain 鈥榤odel鈥� and are not prescriptive.

Specifically Regional Standing Orders and any variations to Regional Standing Orders shall be determined by the individual regions themselves in line with Union rules and policies as ultimately determined by and at Congress.

59听听听听听 New regional standing orders听听听听听听听听听听 West Midlands Regional Council

Congress notes the model regional standing orders and rejects their attempted imposition on regional committees without the democratic participation of regional committees or congress in the formulation of the standing orders.

51福利 Congress instructs the NEC to open a consultation with regional committees to develop an agreed set of Regional Standing Orders and once regions and the NEC have come to an agreement on these standing orders that they should be incorporated into National Rules by appropriate amendment to 51福利 Rules at the first available opportunity.

60听听听听听听听听听听 Changes to the standing orders of regional committees听听听 Eastern & Home Counties Regional Committee

Congress regrets the lack of consultation on the new proposed standing orders for regions and the short time scale in which they are expected to be adopted.

Congress requests that there is a period of consultation in which to fully consider the proposals and make amendments.

Congress resolves that proposals for standing orders for regions are debated at Congress 2015.

61听听听听 Representatives of members on casualised contracts on regional committees 听听 Anti Casualisation Committee

Congress notes:

路 the motion passed at Congress 2013 that reserved regional seats for members on casualised contracts (MCC), and equality groups, be considered.

路 there are no such seats in the Standing Orders for Regional Committees
Congress believes members with direct experience of vulnerable employment are needed on Regional Committees, to:

路 ensure the issues are incorporated into the work of the Regional Committee

路 co-ordinate the anti-casualisation efforts of reps, branches and members across the region, e.g. for the Day of Action

路 encourage recruitment and organisation of MCC across the region

Congress calls on the NEC to:

a) draw up plans for an HE and an FE place for MCC on each Regional Committee, in consultation with the Anti-Casualisation Committee

b) include a method for MCC in the region to elect the reps

c) include in any revision of SOs (if earlier) or bring the plans to Congress 2015.

61A.1 National Executive Committee

In para c) delete 鈥�(if earlier) or bring the plans鈥� and replace by

鈥榓nd bring the necessary amendment to Rule 29.1鈥�

SECTION 7: BUSINESS OF THE EQUALITY COMMITTEE

Section 6 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

Equality and employment rights, paragraph 2.1

62听听听听听 Strengthening equality and employment rights听听 National Executive Committee

Congress is concerned at the severe changes to equality and employment rights. For example, the introduction of employment tribunal fees, the withdrawal of the equality questionnaire procedure and third party harassment provisions, weakening the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the serious intent to further dilute the Public Sector Equality Duty.

These changes impact on us all but discrimination cases are more complex and difficult to prove so the added costs and withdrawal of supportive provisions makes success even more difficult.

In the run up to the General Election 2015, Congress calls on the NEC to

路 Provide briefings to branches on these issues to enable members to engage and influence the political debate

路 Work with other trade unions to secure commitments from political parties to strengthen employment and equality rights

路 Actively engage in the next review of the PSED.

Support for regions and branches, paragraph 3.1

63听听听听听 Progressing equality locally 听听 National Executive Committee

Congress condemns the coalition Government鈥檚 intent to eradicate equality rights and its negative impact on branches鈥� ability to progress equality locally.

Congress notes that many of our Employers have very bad practices on equality, including not using equality impact assessments and not taking the need for reasonably adjustments seriously.

It is important that branches are supported not only to ensure that employers comply with existing legal rights and duties but to enable them to negotiate improvements.

Congress calls on NEC to

路 Identify branches to work with to progress best practice

路 Disseminate best practice and also equip all branches with information and guidance on existing rights

路 Survey branch equality reps to understand local challenges and concerns

路 Ensure that equality agreements negotiated at the national level are implemented locally.

路 Develop collective approaches to progressing and implementing and equality issues, as this is where we are strongest.听

Campaigning for equality, paragraphs 4.1 - 4.9

64 听听听听 Points Based Immigration听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

Congress celebrates the contribution of international staff and students to HE and FE and condemns the attacks on them.

Congress condemns the various measures taken by institutions to regulate and report on international students and the fact that many of them interfere in the relationship between students and teaching staff.

Congress instructs NEC to

1. Carry out a survey to determine practice in different institutions.

2. Publicly name and shame institutions with bad practice

3. Publicise any good practice (without praising the institutions).

4. Revise guidance on PBI and circulate to members.

5. Campaign more actively together with other trade unions and interested organisations for the repeal of the legislation.

65 (EP)听 Composite: opposition to racist, fascist, far-right parties听听听听听听听听听听听 Barnsley College, University of Hertfordshire

Congress notes the recent resurgence and public confidence of far-right, fascist and racist groups nationally and across Europe. The votes gained by fascist parties across Europe, and the disturbing role of ultra nationalist groups in Ukraine and Russia are reminders of the need for the trade union movement to remain vigilant and committed to working with anti-fascist and anti-racist organisations.

Congress notes that such success has been born out of austerity measures and the demands of the international banking system that has put profit before people.

Congress notes that far-right parties in the UK have not enjoyed such success. The bankruptcy of the BNP and the break-up of the EDL leadership can be attributed to the unremitting campaigning of organisations such as the trade union movement and Unite Against Fascism who have confronted and opposed such groups whenever and wherever they appear in public. Congress applauds the work of these organisations and pledges its continuing support for their actions.

Congress notes the growing electoral successes of UKIP and calls upon 51福利 and the wider trade union movement to confront and expose the racism and xenophobia which lies behind this party鈥檚 policies.

Congress congratulates all those involved in organising the Anti-Racism Day Demonstration on March 22nd in London and resolves to:

a. Reaffirm 51福利鈥檚 commitment to supporting and where necessary actively engaging with, anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations

b. Encourage all branches to forge links with anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations locally and regionally

c. Challenge statements made by public figures and the media which give credibility and strength to far-right arguments and promote scapegoating.

65A.1 National Executive Committee

In para 3, second sentence, insert after 鈥楿nite Against Fascism鈥�:

鈥�, Trades Union Friends of Searchlight, and Love Music, Hate Racism鈥�

After paragraph 4.9

66 Composite: Immigration and racism听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 51福利 Wales Council, University of Aberdeen, Eastern & Home Counties Regional Committee, National Executive Committee,

51福利 celebrates the presence of migrants and refugees and congratulates them on their amazing contributions to culture and society, particularly in education, research and the labour movement.

51福利 condemns attacks on them by government and media, particularly the cap on international students and the 鈥榤igrants go home鈥� vans.听

Congress deplores Government attempts to demonise immigrants and blame them for failing and inadequate public services.

Congress believes that such scurrilous tactics are deliberately aimed at scapegoating minority groups to divert attention from the real causes of the economic crisis - greedy and irresponsible bankers.

The trade union movement has a long and proud tradition of resisting and fighting prejudice and discrimination.

As a teaching union, 51福利 believes that many of our students will face additional prejudice as a result of the Government's intolerant and stereo-typical attitude to immigration, and reaffirms its commitment to campaign against racism and bigotry.

51福利 condemns the ill-informed arguments and xenophobic language used about migrant workers in the mainstream media and by the government.

51福利 notes that academic research points to the positive economic contribution made by migrant workers.

51福利 regrets the failure of the all mainstream parties to use the rigorous academic research available to counteract commonly accepted myths.

Congress notes:

鈥� The Coalition government is rushing the Immigration Bill through parliament.

鈥� The Bill proposes reducing the right of migrants to appeal against deportation; compels workers to police the immigration status of others, and undermines the right to family life enshrined in the Human Rights Act.

Congress believes:

鈥� Immigrants are contributors to public finances. The pressure on people鈥檚 income and on public services is a result of austerity and employers鈥� attacks on wages and conditions.

鈥� Pandering to anti-immigrant arguments normalises racism, helping fuel the growth of right-wing political forces.

鈥� Campaigns such as Movement Against Xenophobia (MAX) are necessary to counter the scapegoating of immigrants.

Congress resolves:

鈥� To oppose the Immigration Bill and call on MPs to vote against it.

鈥� To call on the Labour party and future UK and/or Scottish governments to undertake to repeal it.

鈥� To affiliate to MAX and support its initiatives.

Congress instructs NEC to:

鈥� Issue public statements, when appropriate, celebrating the diversity of students and staff in colleges and universities and celebrating the economic and cultural contribution of migrants and refugees and reissue appropriately modified versions whenever there is an attack.

鈥� Draw on the expertise of our members who are migration specialists to produce a short fact sheet for members which dispels the myths on migrant workers. Further, Congress also instructs the 51福利 to consider affiliating to campaigns against xenophobia.

鈥� Produce a resource pack for teaching and general campaigning, on:

(i) The invaluable contribution of migrants and refugees to society, particularly in education, research and labour movement.

(ii) The importance of internationalism for education and research.

(iii) The value of academic and cultural exchanges and cultural diversity.

(iv) Emigration from UK.

鈥� Step up the campaign for repeal of the cap on overseas student numbers. 听听

鈥� Work with other organisations to overturn racist immigration policy.

Equality for black members, paragraphs 5.3 - 5.5

67听听听听听 Black representation in 51福利听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress notes that the numbers of black members within 51福利 structures has fallen over the years. Black members have either not come forward or are finding involvement in the democratic structures of the union to be an increasing irrelevance. Black activism is also declining. In regional councils and branch committees the situation is depressingly similar. As a consequence issues affecting black members are not raised or discussed at branch and regional levels. The Union must address this issue urgently. Conference strongly recommends that

Congress instructs the NEC to ensure that:

路 Each branch should make an effort to send a black delegate to their region.

路 Each region should have at least one black member on its committee and seek to co-opt if no branch submits a black representative

路 A progress report on the above is sent to 51福利 Congress 2015

68 (EP)听听听听听听 Austerity and racism 听听听听听College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London

Congress notes:

1 The austerity policies that are making workers pay for the crisis.

2 The disproportionate effect of austerity cuts on BME workers, including in our colleges and universities.

3听 The successful struggle against attacks on terms and conditions of BME cleaners at our college, and the ongoing struggles of low-paid BME workers in many other institutions.

Congress believes:

1听 That these attacks are part of a racist agenda to blame migrant workers and BME communities for the crisis

2听 That it is in the interest of all workers to oppose this divide-and-rule agenda

Congress resolves:

1听 That 51福利 should work with other unions to fight attacks on the terms and conditions of BME workers, including taking co-ordinated industrial action.

2听 That 51福利 should work to ensure that no worker in our institutions is paid less than the living wage.

After paragraph 5.5

69听听听听听 Black deaths in custody听听听听听听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress deplores the continuing deaths of black people in prison and police custody, in young offenders鈥� institutions during arrest or detention under the Mental Health Act. Congress believes that it is not acceptable for police and prison officers to be unaccountable to the communities that they serve. Deaths in custody are an issue of concern for all trade unionists 鈥� because what happens in Tottenham or Luton or Winson Green today can happen to any one of us tomorrow.

Congress agrees to:

campaign to ensure that police and prison officers wear cameras at all times when making an arrest and/or restraining suspects;
campaign to ensure that close family members are informed immediately after someone has been arrested and/or detained;
Affiliate to the United Family and Friends Campaign and support the annual procession of remembrance
Circulate campaign calls and information from UFFC to all 51福利 members.

Equality for disabled members, paragraph 6.3

70听听听听听 Negotiating reasonable adjustments 听听听听听听听听 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress notes the 51福利 guidance on reasonable adjustments produced last year and how it provides practical support for reps and members in understanding and negotiating adjustments. Negotiating adjustments has always been difficult with employers avoiding their duty to even consider a request. Members are often subject to open ended discussions with a focus on costs rather than positively engaging with the request. Members can often feel isolated and 鈥榰nreasonable鈥� in their right to be treated more favourably in order to mitigate the effect of being disabled by their working environment.

Congress calls upon the NEC to:

路 Disseminate and publicise the guidance and ask branches for feedback

路 Organise briefing sessions for reps which will include the requirements of the duty, recent case law, the test of 鈥榬easonableness鈥�, negotiating checklist and how to take the issue forward as a collective issue

路 Monitor employer policies and training of managers.

After paragraph 6.4

71 Supporting disabled members鈥� participation and rights at work 听听听Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress notes the low disclosure rates of disabled members at work and within 51福利. This will be for various reasons but lack of confidence in how the data will be used is a major reason. Without disclosure disabled members reduce their legal rights and their collective strength. Evidence shows the biggest group needing representation by 51福利 caseworkers are disabled members. Disabled members鈥� issues need to be raised collectively so problems are not an individual鈥檚 fight but are a demand for an institution or sector wide response. Congress calls upon the NEC to

路 Survey self identified disabled members on workplace concerns

路 Survey equality reps for views on non disclosure and progressing disabled workers equality locally

路 Work with national negotiators to progress disability leave in HE and the FE equality agreement

路 Identify two or three branches to work with on progressing best practice on disabled members鈥� issues.

Equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members, paragraph 7.2

72 (EP) Advancing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality in the Workplace 听听听听听听听听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress notes the survey 鈥�The Ups and Downs of LGB鈥�s Workplace鈥� launched on 30^th January 2014. This, the first ever large scale national survey of bullying and harassment faced by LGB workers, it found that LGB workers are more than twice as likely to be bullied or face discrimination. Whilst the survey did not consider the experiences of trans workers, it is unfortunately all too likely that they face similar problems to a greater extent

The survey reveals that homophobic and biphobic stereotypes persist in the workplace affecting our job security and wellbeing. It highlights inadequate management, LGBT staff network and trade union representative responses to bullying and harassment.

1. Conference calls on all 51福利 branches to tackle the problems caused by persisting homophobia, bi phobia, transphobia, underlying heterosexism and gender binary prejudice, at work.

2. Conference urges all members to educate and organise all workers to deal with these.

Equality for women members, paragraphs 8.3 - 8.4

73听 Female Genital Mutilation Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Congress recognises FGM as a form of gendered abuse affecting an estimated 140 million women globally. We offer solidarity to its victims.

In colleges and universities both staff and students are affected. Many women and girls are unable to seek protection and help because of ignorance and prejudice surrounding the issue, including: Islamophobic or racist notions about the practice; a belief that FGM is a personal or cultural issue and a lack of sensitive, helpful support to victims/girls under threat.

Congress calls on the government to fund meaningful support for women, including:

路 ensuring protection for girls under threat;

路 funding health services, housing and benefits for victims

路 granting asylum where needed

Congress calls for 51福利 strategy to include

路 Working to include FGM in safeguarding

路 Production of education materials & advice/support for members

路 working with FGM projects that do not reinforce racist ideas about FGM

74听 Tackling sexism on campus听听听听听听听听 51福利 Scotland Executive Committee

That this Congress notes:

鈥� the importance of ensuring university and college campuses are welcoming, safe environments for staff, students and visitors.

鈥� press reports highlighting an unwelcome 鈥渓addish culture鈥� existing on some campuses

鈥� the government-commissioned Sexualisation of Young People Review which found: 鈥渓ads鈥� mags promote an idea of male sexuality as based on power and aggression, depicting women as sex objects and including articles that feature strategies for manipulating women.鈥濃€︹€淭he evidence gathered suggests a clear link between consumption of sexualised images, a tendency to view women as objects and the acceptance of aggressive attitudes and behaviour as the norm.鈥漑1]

This Congress believes that steps should be taken to ensure that equality and diversity is enshrined within all post-16 education institutions, and supports the positive work already undertaken in some institutions. Congress supports the campaign to seek to remove all 鈥渓ads mags鈥� from sale in University, College and Student Union shops.

[1]

74A.1听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add 鈥榓nd Heterosexism鈥� to the title after 鈥楽exism鈥�

In final paragraph add: 鈥�, in combating and eliminating racism, sexism, homophobia & transphobia鈥� to the end of the first sentence. At end of motion add 鈥�, as these undermine and demean many of our principles of equality.鈥�

New paragraph, equality structures, after paragraph 9.1

75听听听听听 Intersectionality and equality structure听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 West Midlands Regional Council

Following reductions to the budget for equality representation, a new conference where all four equality strands meet simultaneously has replaced the former separate conference. The impact of this is that those who are disadvantaged by multiple forms of oppression are now:

鈥� Less able to participate in the annual conference, share support, and propose and debate essential equality business

鈥� Less likely to be elected to represent and take part in decision making on the national equalities committees

Congress resolves to:

1) Ensure equality arrangements allow full participation for those who are oppressed in multiple ways

2) Monitor future equalities arrangements to ensure 51福利 embodies the fairness we pursue as activists by making sure participation for those oppressed in multiple ways is always considered primary.

75A.1 West Midlands Retired Members鈥� Branch

Add at the end of Point 1): 鈥榠ncluding age related oppression.鈥�

HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR CONFERENCE

MOTIONS FOR DEBATE

Section 2 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

National negotiations and dispute, paragraphs 2.1 - 2.4

HE1听听 National claim/negotiations with UCEA听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Conference notes the report and approves the recommendations from the national negotiators contained in 51福利HE/219.

HE2听听 Composite: Motion of censure on HEC听听听听听听 Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Brighton, Grand Parade

Conference notes

2% achieved by industrial action but still a real cut;
HEC decision delaying marking sanction, leaving little opportunity for responses to intimidation, was inconsistent with HESC policy;

2014-5 2% only achieved by industrial action but still a real cut for 2013-15;
majority HEC December decision to delay marking sanction, leaving little opportunity for responses to intimidation, was inconsistent with HESC policy;
GS/SFC decision on strike pay for a day's stoppage for 2-hour strikes, and seeking legal redress;

路 HEC decision to consult members, without recommendation, on UCEA's offer.

unprecedented publication of branch ballots.

Conference believes

outgoing HEC mishandled the dispute, and overturned will of Conference;
strike pay rather than escalating UK-wide action supporting victimised branches, encourages employers to seek to bankrupt 51福利;

路 HEC responsibility is always to offer members a lead via clear recommendations, and not to demobilise campaigns.

Conference resolves

ballots and recommendations in national campaigns will be decided by a Special HESC, where HEC can recommend changes to policy or tactics;
Conference remains 51福利's supreme policy-making body for HE, and HEC's role is implementation of policy, not its alteration.
ballot details are confidential and not be used for intra-union disagreements.

HE3听听 Lessons from the 2013/14 pay campaign听 Yorkshire and Humberside HE Sector Committee

HE Sector Conference notes:

1.听听听听听听 the commitment of members to execute the 2013 sector conference decision on the 2013/14 pay campaign shown by the unprecedented number of days in which they took strike action within a month.

2.听听听听听听 that the HEC overturned an accepted plan of action involving a marking boycott in January 2014. Instead, it introduced the concept of 2-hour strikes to the campaign and delayed the marking boycott until 28 April.

3.听听听听听听 that HEC鈥檚 introduction of 2-hour strikes left some members bewildered, frustrated or angry as they had not had an opportunity to discuss the tactic. It also left 51福利 not fully prepared for the escalation by some employers in terms of punitive pay deductions.

4. 听听听听听 that the HEC has a role in implementing the decisions of HE Sector Conference; this should not include retreating on decisions voted on by the elected conference representatives.

HE3A.1听 Higher Education Committee听听听听听听听听

In para 2 delete:

鈥榦verturned an accepted plan of action involving a marking boycott in January 2014. Instead, it鈥�

and insert:

鈥�, assessing both the level of membership engagement with its agreed plan of industrial action, and the large number of institutions for whom a marking ban in January would be meaningless,鈥�

In para 3 add at end: 鈥楬owever, many members not subject to such deductions welcomed the 2-hour strike tactic as 鈥�3 for the price of 1鈥� and as providing greater opportunities for engagement with students.鈥�

HE3A.2听 University of Derby

Add at the end:

鈥�5. that union solidarity is key and industrial action far stronger when conducted alongside other public sector and educational unions

6. that the HEC failed to call a strike on the 26th of March alongside the NUT National Strike. we therefore call on the HEC, regions and branches/LAs to energetically lobby other unions whenever there is a campaign of industrial action and promote whatever networks of rank and file unity are conducive to successful action.鈥�

CBC advice: if HE3A.3 passes, amendment HE6A.2 falls.

HE3A.3听听听听听听听 London Metropolitan University, North

Add at end:

鈥楾hat 51福利 is committed to call for national industrial action (comprising strike action) in the event that a local employer imposes a 100% pay deduction on members engaged in action short of a strike as part of a national dispute.鈥�

HE4听听 Pay Strategy 听听听听听听听 University of Essex

Conference is fully committed to national pay bargaining and structures, which provide pay parity across the sector.
Conference nevertheless recognises that national pay bargaining sets pay levels at the maximum that can be afforded by financially weak institutions, even though most institutions can afford to pay more.
Conference thus instructs HEC to:
1)听听 prepare a draft model and strategy designed to achieve minimum national pay levels to be topped up by local negotiations over additional pay, holiday allowances, bonuses and other means of rewarding all staff equally for the success of their institution
2)听听 consult on this draft widely with branches and individuals
3)听听 prepare a final version for consideration and ratification by a Special Sector Conference to take place no later than the end of February, 2015.

HE5听听 National pay negotiation time-table听听听听听听听听听听 London South Bank University

HESC notes

路 members鈥� 13% real pay cut over 5 years;

路 UCEA鈥檚 refusal to increase its initial offers during negotiations over 5 years;

路 that negotiations run from March to August, after the end of the academic year.

HESC believes

路 the negotiating timetable gravely hinders 51福利鈥檚 prosecution of annual pay campaigns;

路 members are angry about their real-pay losses and support a plausible strategy to begin a process of catch-up;

路 that industrial action during the year of claim offers the best chance of success.

HESC resolves

路 to demand that negotiators conclude negotiations by the end of April each year, unless real progress is being made on the central aspect of any claim (ie the headline rate of increase);

路 to put UCEA鈥檚 first 鈥榝inal offer鈥� to members in a ballot for industrial action.

CBC advice: if amendment HE5A.1 is passed, amendment HE5A.2 falls.

HE5A.1听听听听听听听 South East HE Sector Committee

Delete second bullet point in 'resolves' and substitute:

鈥榯o ballot for industrial action early, and take first action, in the autumn term, and to escalate action progressively in the spring and summer terms during negotiations;鈥�

Add new bullet point at end:

鈥榯hat any decision to apply a marking sanction should be actioned in the spring term so as to maximise our capacity to respond to draconian pay stoppages.鈥�

HE5A.2听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

delete 鈥榝or industrial action鈥� at the very end.

HE6听听 Pay Campaign and Multi-Year Settlement听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Brighton, Grand Parade

HESC notes the

positive response to 1-day and 2-hour strikes despite widespread scepticism over their effectiveness;
HEC postponement of marking sanction left little opportunity for effective industrial response to stoppages;
HESC policy was January start of assessment sanction, and two and three-day regional strikes.

HESC believes

rolling the claim into 2014-15 must not be interpreted as conceding defeat in the campaign;
the 2014-15 campaign should be for a multi-year, 'inflation plus' settlement (2013-2017) to recoup past losses in four years.

HESC resolves that the:

role of HEC is to implement Conference policy, not change it;
2013-14 campaign will continue in 2014-15 with the marking sanction in place from October;
objective in 2014-15 will be a multi-year, 'inflation plus' settlement;
rolling two-day and three-day strikes regionally (with other unions, if possible) will happen in autumn and spring;
51福利 response to punitive action by individual employers, will be UK-wide industrial action.

CBC advice: if amendment HE6A.1 is passed, amendment HE6A.2 falls.

HE6A.1听听听听听听听 Leeds Metropolitan University

Delete existing 'believes' bullet points and substitute:

鈥樷棌听听 HEC's December decision deescalating action paralysed the campaign;

2014-15 must be used as a preparatory year for a 4-year, 'keep up and catch up' campaign from 2015 (measuring losses from 2008).鈥�

Delete existing 鈥榬esolves鈥� bullet points and substitute:

鈥樷棌听听 HEC will implement Conference policy, strategy and tactics, not change them;

2015-16 campaign will implement action in a timely manner, with national dispute resolution dependent on restitution of all local stoppages for marking sanctions;
lockouts will be met with escalating UK-wide action.鈥�

HE6A.2听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

In last line, change 鈥�51福利 response to punitive action by individual employers, will be UK-wide industrial action.鈥� to 鈥�51福利 response to punitive action by individual employers, will be a national response which may be escalated to UK wide industrial action where it is strategically advantageous and legally permissible.鈥�

HE7听听 Strategy for Industrial Action听听听听听听听听听听 University of Hull

Given the little momentum building up from the current strategy driving the present industrial dispute and its failure to win the sympathy of the wider public - evidenced by allusions to well-paid academics wanting more money in times of austerity- we move that 51福利 represent the action as a fight for 'Social Justice', foregrounding the relative low-pay of non-academic staff (alongside the increasing erosion of academic pay at the lower end of the scale) against the excessive remuneration of senior academic staff and VCs. Furthermore, we move that 51福利 abandon the futility of two-hour strike campaigns and to move towards all-out strikes.

CBC advice: if amendment HE7A.1 is passed, the last section of HE7A.2 falls.

HE7A.1听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

In the first sentence delete 鈥榬epresent the action as鈥� and replace with 鈥榚mphasise the social justice of our claims鈥�

Delete final sentence and replace with 鈥榃hen planning industrial action the HEC should be mindful of the advantages and limitations both of limited and of all out strikes, and seek the forms of industrial action most likely to command wide membership support, and hence to achieve our aims in a specific dispute.鈥�

HE7A.2 听听听听听听 South East HE Sector Committee

Add after 鈥榬elative low pay of鈥�:

鈥榡unior academic and鈥�

Add at the end of the first sentence:

鈥榓nd the importance of Higher Education as a social good that should not be rationed by the wealth of students' families, or extravagant expectations of earnings premia.鈥�

Delete 'all-out strikes' at the end of the motion, and substitute:

鈥榯wo-day and three-day rolling regional strikes, an early implementation of the marking boycott, and escalating sector-wide strikes in response to intimidation by employers.鈥�

HE8听听 Victimisation of staff听听听听听 University of Glasgow

HEC expresses solidarity with colleagues at the University of Glasgow who have been subjected to disciplinary procedures as a direct consequence of using the template message sent out to members by the General Secretary of 51福利: Sally Hunt to explain to their students the reasons for their absence on one day strike. An informal investigation has found against these members, judging that they acted improperly. This meeting condemns the use of disciplinary procedures in this context. 51福利 members acting in good faith on the advice of the general secretary of their union in the context of industrial action should not be targeted as individuals. This meeting also petitions the Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow to rescind the reported conclusions of the disciplinary investigation.

HE9听听 Industrial action and the impact on members on casualised contracts听听听听听 Anti Casualisation Committee

HESC notes:

a) members on casualised contracts (MCC) often report job *security* as their key concern, while supporting the HE pay action

b) potential disproportionate impact re loss of pay and future work offers

c) HEIs giving very low pay rates to postgraduate student staff

d) successful action depends on MCC participation

e) ways are needed for non-teaching researchers to participate

We call upon HEC to ensure:-

i. 51福利's position on casualisation is well-publicised in HE action
material

ii. a fund for postgraduate/ other low-paid HPLs disproportionally
affected

iii. casualisation is a central part of future HE annual claims

and to

iv. assess the impact of future action upon MCC, recognising different needs from those of permanent/ salaried colleagues

v. implement ways of informing and involving researchers, HPLs and all MCC, and protecting them from victimisation

vi. provide clear guidance to branches on these issues.

HE9A.1听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Delete ii and renumber accordingly (so current iii will become ii)

Insert a new iii after 鈥榓nd to鈥�:

鈥榠颈颈听look at the feasibility of establishing a fund specifically to support casualised staff and other low paid members as and when they suffer disproportionately in a dispute鈥�

USS pension scheme, paragraph 7.1

HE10 USS听听听听听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Conference notes developments in respect of USS and approves the recommendations from the HEC鈥檚 Superannuation Working Group contained in 51福利HE/220.

HE11 USS and the principle of buy-cott听听听听 University of Warwick

This conference notes:

路 USS is a pensions fund with approximately 拢40 billion in assets and is one of the UK's largest pension funds

路 USS "strives to integrate environmental, social and governance issues across its asset classes and to be a leader in responsible investment"

路 The low level of activity in the UK of pensions funds using their proxy votes

Buy-cott, using shareholdings to change direction from within companies, is increasingly used by shareholder activists

This conference believes:

路 That ethical investment could be furthered by large funds like USS using their votes to direct companies into social and environmental responsibility

路 That USS should use its votes to buy-cott and boycott

路 51福利 has a duty to pursue this type of agenda

This conference instructs:

路 51福利 to use its position in USS to exercise its votes voice to develop a more sustainable future for all based around the principle of buy-cott and boycott.

HE11A.1听听听听听 University of Birmingham

Replace the term 'buy-cott' by 'engagement' throughout the motion including the title.

HE11A.2听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Add two further bullet points to end:

鈥樷棌 51福利 to write to USS auditing their ethical investment practice against the recommendations in ShareActions鈥� 鈥楪reen Light鈥� report;

路听51福利 to organise a meeting of interested members to discuss ethical investment in USS and invite ShareAction to the meeting.鈥�

Casualisation/zero hours contracts, paragraphs 3.1 - 3.2

HE12 (EP) Casualisation听听听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Conference notes

路 the ongoing work of HEC to address unacceptable levels of casualisation within the sector, including our research into the use of super-exploitative zero-hour contracts;

路 the information circulated to branches about the disproportionate impact that industrial action can have on our members on casual contracts.

Conference calls on HEC to assist branches to

路 Assimilate HPLs to fractional contracts and/or to the agreed institutional pay spine on consolidated rate or equivalent

路 Seek a commitment from employers not to use of zero-hour contracts.

路 Encourage casualised staff to join the 51福利 and to become active in organising and negotiating for improvements

Conference calls on HEC to continue working with the Anti-casualisation committee to develop means to encourage our members on casual contracts to take industrial action in furtherance of the union鈥檚 objectives and to take account of their particular circumstances when action is called.

HE12A.1听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

In the section 鈥楥onference notes鈥�, add a new bullet point at the end:听

鈥樷棌听 the hidden threat to equality gains when employment is threatened by casualisation, and the particular threats to LGBT equality鈥�

In the section 鈥楥onference calls on HEC 鈥�., add a new 4^th bullet point:

鈥樷棌听听 Ensure anti-casualisation campaigning highlights the threats to equality.鈥�

HE13 (EP) Build the campaign against ZHC听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Liverpool (against para 3.2)

Zero hour is contracts (ZHC) and casualisation endemic across the economy. The rise of ZHC in HE is alarming and leads to greater job insecurity and inferior terms and conditions. University of Liverpool is one of the worst offenders in the north-west with 173 teaching staff employed on zero hour contracts.

Conference notes the widespread opposition to the use of ZHC in HE and other workplaces. In 2013 workers at a Hovis bakery in Wigan stopped the use of ZHC by taking sustained strike action.

Conference agrees to:

1) Encourage braches to campaign with other HE unions and students against ZHC.

2) Urge branches to discuss what mobilisations should be taken to stop this increasing casualisation in HE.

3) Encourage branches to take part in wider campaigns in their area, working with unions outside of HE, trades councils and community groups also fighting ZHC.

HE14 Shedding light on terms and conditions of researchers in HE听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Anti Casualisation Committee

Conference notes:

鈥� the 51福利 Freedom of Information request on zero hours contracts (ZHCs) was successful in drawing public and media attention to this aspect of casualistion in FE and HE

鈥� the significant value of obtaining such data for progressing campaign priorities

鈥� researchers in some HEIs are not recognised as academic staff

鈥� the ongoing and particular difficulties experienced by researchers on casualised contracts in HE

Conference therefore calls on the HEC to work with the Anti-Casualisation Committee to undertake research (including an FOI request) into the terms and conditions of researchers to ascertain:

1) Numbers of staff employed as researchers in HEIs

2) Breakdown of contract types (permanent, fixed term, hourly paid) for researchers at HEIs

3) any differences in terms of holiday entitlement, pay and pension membership:

a) in pre- and post-92 universities

b) between researchers and other categories of academic and academic related staff

CBC advice: if amendment HE14A.1 is passed, amendment HE14A.2 falls; the second and last sections of amendment 14A.3 also fall.

HE14A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Delete wording and numbered points after 鈥楥onference therefore calls on the HEC to work with the Anti-Casualisation Committee to鈥� in second paragraph to end and replace with:

鈥榗onduct further research to expose the number of research staff employed by HEIs, their terms and conditions of employment and bring to light any differences and detriments with the aim of assisting bargaining and campaigning on this issue.鈥�

HE14A.2听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

After numbered point 2), add a new point 3) and renumber:

鈥榮tatistics on representation by protected characteristic鈥�.

HE14A.3听听听听听 University College London

Add final bullet to 鈥榥otes鈥�:

鈥樷棌 HESA equal pay data that shows research-intensive HEIs and medical schools have the greatest gender salary differentials for academic staff (including researchers).鈥�

Add to 2) at end: 鈥榠ncluding which, if any, research contract types are covered by Statute protection afforded to academic staff鈥�

Add at end:

鈥�4) Equality impact comparative data including gender, race and disability, by type of post (research and lecturing) and grade, with distributions of staff by employment duration, length of service before promotion, and rates of redundancy for each group.鈥�

HE15 Hierarchies in Pay and Job Titles for Researchers听听听听听听听听 Birmingham City University

HE Sector Conference notes that individuals on casual contracts working as researchers potentially face a significant variation in pay depending on the job title they are given, with the job title of 'Research Consultant' in contrast to 'Research Assistant' negatively affecting salary and how the employer (university) perceives the researcher's role and degree of participation.

HE Sector Conference resolves to clarify the job titles of Research Consultants and Research Assistants, and to investigate whether there are significant differences in salaries and the job specifications for researchers on casual contracts when they are labelled as 'Research Consultants' or 'Research Assistants'.

Teaching-focussed contracts, paragraph 9.1

HE16听 Composite: casualisation and teaching-focused contracts听听听听听 Birmingham City University, Higher Education Committee

Conference notes the increased prominence given to teaching in the current policy environment and that a well-supported members鈥� survey on the use of teaching-focussed contracts raised a number of issues associated with pay, progression and promotion and ongoing research requirements.

Conference welcomes the development of bargaining advice by HEC on the use of teaching-focussed contracts.

HE Sector Conference notes:

-听听听 the increasing prevalence of casualised teaching-only contracts, particularly in the run-up to the REF

-听听听 the challenges faced by casualised staff in developing publications because of workloads and job search demands, but publications are necessary for securing permanent employment

-听听听 casualised staff must often conduct research on their own time, with limited institutional support

HE Sector Conference believes:

-听听听 Casual contracts and teaching-only contracts are detrimental to research, and to the next generation of academics

-听听听 Teaching-only contracts risk polarising the workforce into teachers and researchers, with teaching perceived as inferior

HE Sector Conference resolves:

-听听听 To affirm existing Congress policy opposing casualised teaching-only contracts

-听听听 To research the equality impact of casualisation, and in particular casualised teaching-only contracts;

-听听听 To research the impact of such contracts on early career researchers

-听听听 To offer guidance to branches instructing them to campaign and negotiate research support for casualised staff.

HE16A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Delete from first listed point under HE Sector Conferences notes:

鈥榩revalence of casualised teaching only contracts鈥� and replace with

鈥榗asualisation and mis-use of teaching-focussed contracts鈥�

Delete final point in list after HE Sector Conference resolves (last paragraph) and replace with:

鈥� -听听 To support branches in campaigning and negotiating contracts that provide continuity of employment as well as contractual time and appropriate institutional support for research, scholarly activity and development and which allow for progression through the academic grades.鈥�

Local Disputes, paragraph 15.1

HE17 (EP)听听 Use of 鈥榓cl鈥� grade posts in post-92 universities听听听 University of Central Lancashire (against para 15.1)

In the light of 51福利鈥檚 national policy that grades lower than Ac2 are not to be used for HE work in Post-92 universities, any 51福利 branch鈥檚 attempts to resist the increased use of sub-Ac2 grades locally for HE work will be deemed of national significance and will be supported by 51福利 nationally.

REF, paragraphs 5.1 - 5.2

HE18 The Research Excellence Framework (REF) and gender discrimination听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes with extreme concern reports that in the run-up to the REF 2014:

路 There was an increase in 鈥渟tar鈥� academics being appointed without any
advertisement of the post, especially in Russell Group institutions, in breach of Equal Opportunities legislation;

路 Women were disproportionately disadvantaged in being excluded from the REF,

with damaging consequences for their future careers;

路 Women were disproportionately pressurised into moving from research-active to

鈥渢eaching-focused鈥� contracts against their will.

Conference instructs its officers and officials to obtain accurate figures on the extent of the above and other gender-discriminatory practices in relation to the REF, to issue advice to branches and members on how to resist such practices, and to formulate proposals for eliminating them in future research assessment exercises.

HE19 REF听听听 South East HE Sector Committee

HESC notes the

(a) completion of submissions to REF 2014, and HEIs' preparations for next REF;

(b) risk that these preparations will distort the research agenda;

(c) existence of groups concerned with the nature and consequences of the current funding regime for research in HEIs. The Campaign for the Public University, Boycott the Next REF, and Council for the Defence of British Universities, amongst others, have used the current funding regime for research as a way of critiquing the programme of privatisation of HE.

HESC instructs Officers and Officials to

路 encourage all HE Branches to work with the CDBU, CPU and Students鈥� Unions to organise regional meetings in autumn and spring to debate and refine a series of principles to govern the funding and scope of HE research;

路 hold a joint Conference with other campaign groups to unify and publicise 51福利鈥檚 commitment to a campaign for a democratic alternative to the REF.

HE20 REF听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Glasgow

HESC notes the very serious concerns expressed by members about the REF and condemns the negative impacts on research, departments and careers.

HESC instructs HEC to set up a working group on the REF to:

1. Monitor the consequences of the REF for members and departments.

2. Formulate proposals to be agreed by HEC or HE officers for a swift response against institutions involved in closing department or victimising members not submitted to the REF.

3. Formulate proposals for a proactive response to the next REF, which could include boycott.

4. Organise a conference to discuss these proposals and those from members and formulate a motion for HESC 2015.

5. HESC believes that REF tactics have worsened the equal pay gap in universities. HESC calls on HEC to carry out a review of HEI equal pay figures and to do a comparison before and after REF, and to act accordingly.

HE20A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Delete wording in point 5 and replace with new point 5:

鈥�5. HESC calls on HEC to work with the Equalities department to develop and conduct an effective equality audit of the REF.鈥�

HE21 (EP)听听 Abolish the REF!听 Queen Mary University of London

Conference notes that the outcome of current REF is likely to further concentrate precious funding resources in an ever-smaller group of so-called elite universities

We also note the terrible long-term impact of the REF process on the research culture within UK higher education, relationships between colleagues and the ambitions and focus of research.

We call on 51福利 to launch a national campaign encouraging all research-active staff in British universities to boycott all cooperation with the next research audit and demand an alternative mechanism for distributing research funding across UK HE.

HE21A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Delete third paragraph and replace with new third paragraph:

鈥榃e note the previous outcomes of calls to boycott the REF but call on 51福利 to continue consulting members on this issue and to continue campaigning for the development of an alternative to the REF which enables the allocation of funding for research through a fairer, more transparent and more democratic mechanism.鈥�

Competition and privatisation, paragraphs 11.1 - 11.2

HE22 (EP)听听 Private providers听听听听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee (para 11.2)

Conference notes the:

路 growth of for-profit private providers in the provision of higher education;

路 increasing experimentation with different types of corporate form within the sector

路 establishment of arms-length companies by existing HEIs.

Conference

路 restates its opposition to the marketisation and privatisation of higher education;

路 believes that every worker within the higher education sector should have the right to be represented by a recognised trade union;

Conference instructs HEC:

路 to monitor the employment practices of such organisations;

路 develop a strategic approach and bargaining guidelines to ensure that the 51福利 remains the recognised union for academic and academic-related staff within the sector.

HE23 Outsourcing of email听听听听 Goldsmiths, University of London

Conference notes
鈥� The signing in May 2013 of a cloud computing deal between the Janet network and Microsoft
鈥� The increased use of outsourcing by universities of email facilities to private systems such as Microsoft鈥檚 Office 365 and Google
鈥� The participation of Microsoft in NSA surveillance operations
鈥� The inadequate privacy provisions of private cloud data storage services

Conference believes

路 That university staff should have the right to exercise real choice about how they access and store data locally

Conference resolves

鈥� To call on branches to urge institutions to review their contracts with Microsoft for the MS Office 365 Cloud Email and Calendar services in light of the recent NSA revelations and to seek alternative and viable provision when the contracts expire
鈥� To urge institutions to provide, wherever possible, a range of open access and open source software services, and appropriate email and data storage facilities.

HE24 Pathway Centres听听听听听听听听听听听 Northumbria University

Conference expresses concern at the increasing number of 鈥榩athway centres鈥� at UK universities, whereby private providers recruit international students and prepare them for entry into university undergraduate and master鈥檚 degree programmes. The staff employed by the pathway centres face temporary contracts and worse pay, pensions, terms and conditions than those of their university colleagues.

This development represents the thin end of the wedge, opening up the possibility of a two-tier academic workforce in universities, and giving the privateers a golden opportunity to demand a slice of undergraduate teaching in future. Business considerations are taking precedence over academic development more and more frequently.

Conference calls upon the HEC to develop a strategy to counter such outcomes and in particular to target recruitment at the pathway centres, in order to secure bargaining rights on behalf of those staff.

HE25 Internationalisation and increased marketisation of HE 听听听听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes with alarm the indiscriminate pursuit of market opportunities in the sector. In particular, we are concerned at the threat to workplace equality, as institutions enter into lucrative international projects and abandon their commitment and duties. We note that a number of HE institutions are setting up campuses or collaborating with countries which enforce discrimination through law, and that this presents primary discrimination of staff as well as a threat to students. Conference believes that this is contrary to our understanding of education as the unfettered development of ideas, thought and critique, and calls on 51福利 to:

Publicly condemn all institutions which engage with organisations which promote discrimination
Provide practical guidance and national support for branches which tackle their institutions鈥� international projects under equality legislation
Provide public support for members who refuse to work with overtly discriminatory organisations, whether in the UK or overseas.

New paragraph, immigration, discrimination, international students, after paragraph 15.1

HE26 Immigration Bill听听 West Midlands HE Sector Council

HE Sector Conference notes:

-the recent announcement by the Immigration Minister to make it easier for institutions to lose their Highly Structured Sponsor status

Measures within the Immigration Bill to create a 鈥渉ostile environment鈥�, including charging for healthcare and requiring landlords to check immigration status

HE Sector Conference believes:

-these measures are discriminatory; displace blame for the recession onto migrants; will have detrimental effects on staff and students; and represents the further outsourcing of immigration controls

HE Sector Conference resolves:

To lobby Universities UK to publicly oppose these measures

To reaffirm previous Conference motions urging noncompliance and opposing the outsourcing of immigration controls on HE staff

To seek reassurance that healthcare will remain free for overseas students and staff
To monitor the equality impact of these measures

To campaign with the NUS and Movement Against Xenophobia for the repeal of these measures.

HE26A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

In final sentence DELETE "the NUS and the Movement against Xenophobia" and REPLACE with "other appropriate organisations opposing these measures.鈥�

HE27 (EP)听听 University Monitoring of 鈥楾ier 4鈥� Students听 University of Warwick

Conference notes:

Universities have become preoccupied with managing accountability demanded by UK Visas and Immigration (formerly the UK Border Agency), requiring UK academics to provide information about student attendance and communication for the purpose of UKVI audits.

Such monitoring is having a detrimental impact on relationships between staff and students.

Conference declares its opposition to UK universities requiring their staff to report on 'Tier 4' students for the benefit of meeting UKVI requirements and resolves to:

1. Coordinate with the National Union of Students to launch a campaign against discriminatory monitoring of 'Tier 4' students;

2. Towards that end, investigate the different types of monitoring measures currently undertaken by universities of their 'Tier 4' students;

3. Call upon the government to abolish requirements that Universities provide information to UKVI about student attendance or communication with their tutors.

HE28 (EP)听听 Universities, Discrimination and the Borders Agency听听听 University of Brighton, Falmer

HESC notes

路 well-established Congress policy opposing Points-Based Immigration, and the use of educational institutions for immigration control;

鈥� 51福利 policy urges members not - to become untrained extensions of the Borders Agency, comply with instructions that might be discriminatory, and might constitute a de facto alteration of contracts, or risk legal action;

鈥� existing detailed and exemplary 51福利 website advice for branches and members, including responses to discriminatory management instructions;

鈥� many universities now have patently discriminatory attendance monitoring for overseas students, and visa checking for visiting colleagues, that exceed the requirements of the Borders Agency for 'trusted status'.

HESC resolves that all:

鈥� HE branches will receive again robust guidance from the HE Department about responding to management processes and advising individual members;

鈥� HE members will receive a dedicated communication explaining 51福利 policy on compliance, the legal danger to them individually, the moral and political consequences, and the educational detriment to HE collegiality.

HE29 听 International staff and students in higher education 听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes that university campuses are now highly diverse and international spaces. However, international staff and students suffer from increasingly intrusive processes monitoring their movements and immigration status. 51福利 deplores, in particular, the practice of fingerprinting international students by some universities.

This excessive surveillance contributes to anti-migrant racism and damages the reputation of UK education across the world. Universities should play no part in demonising, isolating and targeting migrants.

We call on the NEC:

路 To raise our concerns about the improper use of such technologies on educational institutions with UUK and UKBA;

路 To send letters of concern to relevant embassies, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana and China;

路 To collate information about misuse of biometric surveillance in the sector and to raise awareness of this issue within 51福利.

New paragraph, Senior Staff Pay, after paragraph 2.4

HE30 (EP) Composite: Vice-chancellors鈥� pay听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Southern HE Sector Committee, Yorkshire and Humberside HE Sector Committee

This HE sector Conference notes:

1. The above inflation pay rises awarded to Vice Chancellors across the HE sector

2. That Vice Chancellors are effectively being rewarded for the achievements and hard work of all university staff.

3. That Vice Chancellors' pay awards are usually decided by committees that are not representative of the workforce.

4. That the 51福利 campaign 鈥楩air Pay For All鈥� is not actively supported by these Vice Chancellors.

This Sector Conference notes with revulsion and anger the excessive pay awards enjoyed by VC's while 1% has been imposed on other employees.

Conference condemns the resulting widening gap between the pay of those responsible for delivering higher education and the fortunes bestowed on senior staff, who, far from looking after the institutions in their care, are enthusiastic defenders of their own pay cheques, happy to do the government's bidding while receiving massive annual increases, at a time when their colleagues and students face increasing hardship.

Conference also condemns the rank hypocrisy manifested by this trend, as managers claim that financial restraint is necessary for the rest of us, but not for them.

This HE Sector Conference calls on HEC to campaign for:

1. Pay of Vice Chancellors and other senior staff to be determined by a fair and transparent process.

2. Elected members of staff to have at least one seat on any committee that determines the remuneration of Vice Chancellors.

3. A reduction in the pay gap between highest and lowest earners in HE.

Conference instructs HEC to:

(a) intensify its campaign for increased transparency over executive pay

(b) maximise publicity regarding the inequality of university pay

HE30A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

In first sentence after the numbered points delete all after 鈥淰Cs鈥� and replace with 鈥�while making insultingly low pay offers to other HE staff.鈥�

HE31 Exposing management perks and indirect benefits听听听听听听听 Teesside University

We call on HEC to extend the successful strategy of publicizing VC's pay to all senior managers pay, perks and bonus packages. Public outrage over MP's duck houses, moats and tennis courts proved far more effective in exposing greed and in some case fraud than a simple focus on salary alone.

We call on HEC to instruct twice yearly FOI requests to be sent to every HEI requesting details of pay and perks packages for all managers on 拢100,000 or more. This should specifically include health insurance and other indirect benefits such as accommodation or car. Copies of company credit card spending for such managers should also be requested. All information gathered should be shared with Regional officials and Regional Executives.

HE31A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Delete second paragraph and replace with:

鈥榃e call on HEC to develop guidance for branches to assist them in exposing and publicising Vice Chancellors鈥� and Senior staff pay and perks and in building local and public pressure on this issue.鈥�

Performance and productivity management, paragraph 10.1

HE32 (EP)Bullying听听听听听听听听 Queen Margaret University

Conference notes with extreme concern the increased incidence in workplace bullying in Higher Education, and the use of management tools which make bullying appear acceptable. Conference calls on the 51福利 officers to urge management in educational institutions to recognise and eliminate all forms of bullying.

HE32A.1听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add at the end, bullet points as follows:

鈥�1) It welcomes the report by Professor Phil Taylor for the Scottish TUC which clearly outlines the realities in the workplace

2)听 Notes the Federation of Entertainment Union Members鈥� report on bullying/harassment which could impact upon HE drama staff

3) Will organise a survey to produce a picture of the realities of bullying/harassment in HE

4)听 Agrees to campaign for bullying to be recognised as an offence in employment legislation.鈥�

Academic-related staff, paragraph 12.1

HE33 (EP)听听 Fighting de-professionalisation and down-grading听听听听听听 Academic Related, Professional Staff Committee

Conference notes with sadness that staff are increasingly regarded by management as interchangeable units of production. This attack on staff members' professionalism, status and dignity represents a particular threat to academic-related staff, who are viewed as either managers or service providers, with little control over their own work. With responsibility removed, downgrading ensues. New staff are recruited into lower grades, with little prospect of advancement. Individual expertise is actively discouraged, with staff treated as a homogeneous group, able to be deployed into any role.

Conference:

-听听听 Reiterates its belief in the parity of academic-related staff with academic colleagues, and the right of all staff to be recognised as professionals working within their area of expertise.

-听听听 Calls on 51福利 to fight attempts to downgrade and de-professionalise staff, and to support members facing such attacks.

-听听听 Calls on HEC to campaign for the maintenance of a non-managerial career path for all.

Defend health educators, paragraph 13.1

HE34 Defend health educators听听听听听听听听听 Northumbria University

Conference is alarmed at the substantial fall, since 2006-7, in the number of academic staff working in the nursing and paramedical studies cost centre in UK universities. By 2011-12, there had been an average reduction of 9.5%, and since then the total has fallen still further. Not only is this putting additional burdens on the staff who remain, but the age profile is becoming unbalanced as many experienced staff who leave are not being replaced.

Conference calls on the HEC to step up its campaigning work to protect jobs and employment conditions and the future provision of care to patients, clients and carers. Demographic data on the age profile of health educators should be monitored and pressure put on employers to replace retiring staff.

New paragraph, governance, after paragraph 13.1

HE35 Towards accountable and transparent governance in Higher Education听听听 London Metropolitan University, City听听

Until there is reform of Higher Education governance, particularly in the post-92 universities, Higher Education will continue to be run for the benefit of Vice Chancellors and their friends and to the disbenefit of everyone else. The present lack of regulation governing appointment of HE Governors allows the type of self-perpetuating oligarchy that at best works as benign autocracy and at worst as self-interested "Masonry".

Conference requires 51福利 NEC to put forward a set of proposals for statutory based reform of governance in Higher Education for potential inclusion in national party election manifestos for 2015 based on genuine principles of transparency, accountability and local community interest.

HE35A.1听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

in paragraph 2, insert 鈥榩谤别蹿别谤补产濒测鈥� after 鈥楬igher Education鈥�

HE36 (EP)听听 Governance听听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Conference notes the increasing:

路 concentration of power in the hands of a few appointed executives on bodies such as Pre 92 University Court and Post 92 Board of Governors;

路 focus on commercial interests at the expense of educational values, Academic freedom and Institutional Autonomy.

Conference believes:

路 University executive bodies need to be more democratic, collegiate and transparent in the way they run HE institutions.

路 That all paid roles should be on the national pay spine staff to ensure pay equality and transparency at all times

路 That remuneration panels must have staff representation.

Conference resolves to campaign for:

路 all governing bodies to be more democratic and accountable;

路 executive body meetings to held in open session;

路 transparent and fair appointments processes, including staff representation, better gender balance, and an elected Chair of the Governing body.

路 all Universities to have a whistleblowing policy.

HE36A.1听听听听听 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Under Conference believes add new second bullet point:

鈥楨xecutive bodies should ensure diversity of representation including disabled staff and members and that appropriate support be given to ensure full participation鈥�

Under 鈥楥ongress resolves to campaign for鈥� in bullet point three after 鈥榖etter gender balance鈥� add:

鈥榬epresentation from disabled staff and students鈥�.

HE36A.2听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

In the third bullet point under 鈥楥onference resolves to campaign for:鈥� delete the word 鈥榞ender鈥� and add 鈥榓nd in terms of gender and BME representation鈥� (after the word 鈥榖alance鈥�)

New paragraph, mental health issues in higher education

HE37 Combating occupational health issues in higher education 听听听 University of Birmingham

Conference notes both the findings of the 2013 51福利 report entitled 'Tackling Stress in Higher Education' and the recent focus in the media on this issue. Conference further notes the evidence of a rise in mental health problems among those who work in, and study at, universities.

Conference calls on 51福利 to:

鈥� Work with Universities UK and other relevant organisations to develop a standardised occupational health survey that can be used in all higher education institutions, in order to provide comparative analyses both within the sector and over time;

鈥� Write to all higher education institutions to ask what measures are being put in place to halt and then reverse this increase in mental health problems among those who work and study at universities;

鈥� To distribute all responses to such a request among all 51福利 members in the form of a report which also identifies best practice.

HE37A.1听听听听听 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add second paragraph 鈥楥onference also notes the 51福利 publication 鈥榮upporting members with mental health conditions and issues鈥� which supports reps and members in addressing problems at work arising from mental health conditions and issues鈥�.

Under 鈥楥onferences calls on 51福利 to鈥� add new bullet point at end:

鈥榃ork with the appropriate national bodies supporting higher education to develop a joint approach to supporting staff with mental health conditions and issues to ensure they can stay in the workplace鈥�

New paragraph, funding and students

HE38 (EP)听听 Sale of the student loan book听听听听听听听听听听 Open University

HE Sector Conference notes:-

路 The 40% fall in part time HE students since the introduction of higher fees and the current student loans system

路 That the proposals in the Rothschild report and sale of the student loan book will open the door to lobbying from private companies for higher interest rates on student loans

路 Vulnerable sections of the population who are debt averse will be even less likely to enter HE

路 That enrolments of adult part-time students in HE may fall further, exacerbating the damage already caused by ELQ cuts and fee increases

Conference re-affirms that Higher Education should be financed by progressive corporation tax, and resolves:-

路 To make this a politically sensitive issue, and campaign with student unions and other trade unions for a fundamental reversal of the policy changes of the last decade, and return to public finance of higher education.

HE38A.1听听听听听 University of Bath

In the final bullet point insert after 鈥榯rade unions鈥� the words 鈥榝or the abolition of student tuition fees and鈥�

HE39 Employability Agenda听听听 Southern HE Sector Committee

This Sector Conference notes with concern that the Employability Agenda is by stealth reducing degrees to commodities; and at the expense of academic freedom, credibility, integrity and coherence.

Conference instructs the NEC to conduct a survey in conjunction with the NUS to firstly ascertain the extent and consequences of the Employability Agenda in Higher Education; and then to establish a common position, by way of a statement and strategy for action, between 51福利 and the NUS.

HE40听 Composite: support for student activists, right to protest听听听听听 University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow

HESC thanks NUS and other student activists for the magnificent support they have shown for the pay Campaign in HE. 51福利 condemns the increasingly brutal tactics being used to silence student activists.

Conference recognises the continuing and increasingly draconian approach adopted by University managers towards student activists engaging in protests against the privatisation and marketisation of education.

Conference notes that this has been especially severe at the University of Birmingham this academic year. At least 9 student activists have been subject to disciplinary procedures as a result of protest activity on campus. Five students have been suspended for a number of weeks, and two remain suspended indefinitely and without a right of appeal. None of these students have been found guilty of any crime, and nor have they yet been found by the University to have broken University rules.

51福利 resolves to:

1. Actively campaign for University of Birmingham management to lift the suspensions of five students and West Midlands police to lift the draconian bail conditions imposed on them.

2. Inform all branch officers of these events, and to seek the support of 51福利 branches for the lifting of these suspensions.

3. Put pressure on UUK to recognise the right of students to protest.

4. Together with NUS and other student activists draw up a charter enshrining the democratic right of students and staff to engage in peaceful protest, including occupations and public statements.

HE40A.1听听听听听 University of Birmingham

In third paragraph, replace third and fourth sentences (鈥楩ive students have....University rules鈥�) with:

'A number of students were suspended for several weeks without a right of appeal despite not having been found guilty of any crime or found by the University to have broken any rules. Although these students have now been reinstated and all police charges have been dropped, which Conference welcomes, their financial and academic situation has been adversely affected by the long suspensions.'

Under 鈥�51福利 resolves鈥�, delete points (1) and (2) and renumber accordingly.

New paragraph, new 51福利 branch

HE41听 Composite: Hastings branch听听 University of Brighton (Falmer), University of Brighton (Eastbourne)

HESC notes that:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

鈥� University of Brighton 51福利 members based at the Hasting campus are subsumed within the Eastbourne branch;

鈥� the Hastings campus is up to 1 hour travelling time from the Eastbourne campus;

鈥� neither the culture nor the facilities exist in the University for virtual meetings;

鈥� the request from University of Brighton 51福利, supported by members at the Hasting campus, for a new 51福利 branch at the Hastings Campus was refused in 2012 by the HEC, and a similar motion to this was not arrived at in the HESC agenda in 2013.

HESC believes that this is an unreasonable decision taken by the HEC. It deprives 51福利 members at the Hastings campus of access to effective representation by and in the 51福利.

HESC instructs HEC to accept the request of 51福利 members based at the Hasting campus of the University of Brighton to form a new 51福利 branch.

New paragraph, international

HE42 Defending Equality on International Projects听听听听 Manchester Metropolitan University

This Conference:

1. notes

路 The听 collaboration between MMU and the Police Force of Qatar

路 The hypocrisy of an institution which claims to promote听 equality working听 with an organisation which enforces discrimination

路 The burden on staff working on these projects

2. believes

路 That universities must promote equality in all their work, in the UK and internationally

路 That all university projects, international and local, should be equally accessible to all members of eligible staff

路 That collaboration with discriminatory organisations is not acceptable

3. demands

路 That 51福利 publicly condemn all institutions which engage with听 organisations which promote discrimination

路 That 51福利 produce practical guidance on international working

路 That 51福利 provide national support for branches which seek to challenge international projects under the Equality Act

路 That 51福利 support any member who refuses to work with overtly discriminatory organisations, whether in the UK or overseas.

FURTHER DUCATION SECTOR CONFERENCE

MOTIONS FOR DEBATE

Section 3 of the NEC鈥檚 report to Congress

Joint union pay claim, paragraphs 1.1 - 1.11

FE1 (EP)听听听听 Pay England听听听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Conference notes in the last four years in England:

路 No single pay recommendation has reached 1%

路 The last four increases combined are less than 2%

路 The real-terms loss of pay in the same period is 16%

Colleges said they have no ability to adequately reward staff however:

路 72% of colleges have been paying off debt

路听Staff costs as a % of college income continues to fall

路 FE Principals鈥� pay rose 50.7% in ten years, 2.7 times the recommended increases for FE staff

Conference believes that many colleges have choices in how they allocate income but are not prioritising staff costs.

Conference notes that the vast majority of colleges support negotiations between the AoC and unions on the basis they do not have to implement the outcome. Conference supports the development of a strategy to apply targeted pressure in order to achieve meaningful national bargaining.

FE1A.1听听听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Add to end of motion the following:

鈥楥onference notes the initial report from the FEC on developing a strategy for meaningful collective bargaining in the FE, Adult and Prison sectors.鈥�

FE1A.2听听听听听听听 Tower Hamlets College

In 鈥楥onference notes鈥�, add:

鈥樷€� NUT national strike in June.鈥�

After sentence beginning 鈥楥onference believes鈥�, add:

鈥�1) That members are more confident to strike over pay when 51福利 is part of coordinated action with other unions.鈥�

Add at end motion:

鈥楥onference resolves to:

1) Strike action alongside the NUT in June as part of our campaign to secure our claim.

2) Send a message of solidarity to the NUT.鈥�

FE1A.3听听听听听听听 North West FE Sector Committee

In 鈥楥onference notes鈥� add:

鈥樷棌听 30 percent of colleges do not implement NJF/AoC pay recommendations.

路 The new Welsh national framework for pay and conditions.鈥�

After sentence beginning 鈥楥onference believes鈥�, add:

鈥�1) 51福利 should campaign for a nationally binding negotiating framework.

2) That local benchmarks on pay can help set a precedent at a national level.鈥�

Add at end of motion: 鈥楥onference resolves to launch a campaign of national and targeted strike action to secure our claim and a binding national negotiating framework.鈥�

FE1A.4听听听听听听听 City and Islington College

In 鈥楥onference notes鈥�, add:

鈥樷棌 51福利's live ballot means we鈥檙e well placed to shape 2014 pay negotiations.

路 the AoC offer.鈥�

After sentence beginning 鈥楥onference believes鈥�, add:
鈥�1) National and targeted strike action can deliver a decent pay award.鈥�
Add at end of motion:
Conference resolves to:
鈥樷€� coordinate strike action with other unions where possible
鈥� campaign through targeted action within a frame of nationally escalating strike action
鈥� lobby the pay talks
鈥� support the TUC鈥檚 pay demonstration in October.鈥�

FE1A.5听听听听听听听 East Midlands FE Regional Committee

Add at end:
鈥業n order to be meaningful and to give negotiators a realistic chance of success, this strategy must include the possibility of strike action. Any such action will have to be escalating and form part of a strategy of working with other Education unions. This strategy to be articulated to members through all possible channels.鈥�

FE1A.6听听听听听听听 Chesterfield College

In 'Conference notes', add at end:

鈥樷棌听听 In 2008 action alongside the NUT secured the highest pay settlement since the AUT/Natfhe merger.

路 The AoC's failure to make an offer in April鈥�

After sentence beginning 'Conference believes', add:

鈥�1) One day national strike action after pay negotiations have ended is the least effective strategy.

2) The most effective strategy has been early strike action to influence the pay talks.鈥�

Add at end of motion:

鈥楥onference resolves to continue campaigning for the 2014 pay claim.鈥�

FE1A.7听听听听听听听 South East FE Sector Committee

Insert new paragraph at end of motion:

'Conference notes the use of 2 hour strikes when carefully timed to enable them to be used as effective publicity events in the HE Pay Campaign and agrees that such action should be a part of industrial action for FE pay campaigns.'

FE1A.8听听听听听听听 South East FE Sector Committee

At end of last sentence of the motion add:

'but is adamant that bargaining must remain national.鈥�

FE1A.9听听听听听听听 West Midlands FE Sector Council

Add at end of motion:

鈥楥onference resolves:

1听听听听听听听 To include workload in next year鈥檚 pay claim

2 听听听听听听 To campaign under the slogan, 鈥楾he conditions that teachers teach in are the conditions that students learn in鈥�

3 听听听听听听 To call upon the AoC to join 51福利 in setting up a 鈥楴ational Workload forum鈥� to examine the effect of workload increase.鈥�

FE2听听听 Needs of casualised in FE pay claim and industrial action听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Anti Casualisation Committee

FESC notes:

鈥� continuing attacks on FE include replacement of permanent contracts with insecure and part-time ones

鈥� sessional tutors, agency workers, those on zero hours contracts and other vulnerably employed members can face an increased risk to future work through participation in strike action

FESC strongly urges:

鈥� FEC to incorporate vulnerable/casualised employment as an issue in future industrial action, and in FE pay claims

鈥� that strike monies are available to part-time hourly paid and other low paid members where they apply for them

鈥� the production of publicity materials referring to job security for the vulnerable, and advice to branches on the position of vulnerably employed members, supporting industrial action

the national negotiators to consider how:

- proposed action will affect vulnerably employed members specifically
- to organise and train vulnerably employed tutors, trainers, assessors etc to participate fully in defending terms and conditions in FE and Adult Education.

FE3听听听 Attacks on bargaining rights听听听听听听听听听听听听 Barnsley College

This conference recognises that increasing numbers of teaching staff in Further Education are employed on contracts that are not on the main lecturer scale but are classified as 鈥渟upport staff鈥� with inferior pay and holiday entitlement. Some colleges have refused to recognise 51福利 as the union with bargaining rights for these staff and tell them that their union should be UNISON or GMB.

Conference instructs 51福利

1. To approach UNISON nationally to agree a joint statement identifying types of staff in colleges that each union should represent.

2. To use the agreement with UNISON to approach the Association of Colleges to agree guidance to colleges recommending giving 51福利 bargaining rights for the staff agreed.

3. To publicise the unfairness of the situation in which the main teaching union for Further Education is not given bargaining rights for substantial numbers of teachers in the sector.

Rename paragraph 3: Equality issues, paragraphs 3.1 - 3.2

FE4听听听 Sexual Harassment and Sexual Bullying in the Sector 听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference calls for a campaign to address the experiences of women/girls (staff and students) in relation to their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual bullying.

The NUS and others have drawn attention to 鈥榣addish culture鈥� and shows how this diminishes the learning experience of women/girls. One young woman defined sexual bullying as: 鈥楪roping, grabbing, insults, swear words, stereotypical gender roles, when appearance and sexuality are demonised.鈥� Evidence shows that this cuts across all aspects of their experience in education; in the classroom, corridors, social space both inside and outside colleges and in cyberspace.

Conference calls for a report for next year鈥檚 conference that draws together research evidence and produces strategies for institutions and individuals to tackle this - to include:

路 a review of joint 51福利/AoC agreements

路 ways to links with other unions and campaigning groups

路 practical advice and support for members on how to tackle issues.

FE5听听听 Racial discrimination within FE听听听听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes the high level of participation of black students in FE; the relatively low level of black staff 鈥� especially amongst senior management, and increasing concerns of black members due to racial discrimination. Black workers experience disproportionate levels of harassment, bullying, disciplinary procedures and unequal changes in terms and conditions.

Conference is concerned about the lack of implementation of previous Congress motions to address racism within FE.

Conference calls on the 51福利 to:

Implement previous Congress motions
Work with the BMSC to train and support black caseworkers and enable black members to have access to black caseworkers
Provide training courses within the regions and devolved nations designed to encourage and empower black activism across 51福利 structures
Collect and share data with the Equality self-organised groups on grievance, disciplinary, redundancies and contractual changes.
Work with local communities and ant-racist organisations to oppose all discrimination in FE.

FE6听听听 Black workers and activism within FE听听听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes that Black workers have been disproportionately affected by cuts and austerity measures in FE, resulting in redundancies, zero hour contracts, part-time and casualised working and reductions in pay and conditions.

Conference calls on the 51福利 to:

Work with black activists to set-up Black Members Group within FE branches, regions and devolved nations
Take positive measures to ensure race equality is on the agenda of branches, regions and devolved nations
Include race equality training for all 51福利 staff and negotiators
Prepare a list of trained black caseworkers and make the list available to any black members who wish to seek support from someone on the list
Research and share statistics ethnicity with the BMSC on national changes in employment, grades and pay within FE
Produce annual ethnic monitoring breakdown of all 51福利 staff in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, grades and location.

FE7听听听 Monitoring听听听听听听听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes work undertaken by NIACE to advance equality in the FE sector including the accompanying monitoring form. Conference welcomes the thinking and promotion given to non heteronormative and non binary identities in the sexual orientation and sex categories. Conference also welcomes the optional use of title prefix.

Conference recognises that Mr, Mrs, Ms etc prefixes, essentialist Heterosexual, Lesbian, Gay and Bi identities and Male/ Female binary categories do not have meaning for everyone. Conference notes that polar positions are in decline each generation. Conference also notes that this reflects discussions at international level such as Australia and Nepal in relation to gender identities within monitoring forms.

Conference calls on FEC to

路 engage in promotion of non heteronormative and non binary identities awareness

路 support promotion in FE of the NIACE monitoring form

路 lobby for development in 51福利鈥檚 own monitoring practices along the lines of the NIACE form

FE8听听听 Benefit reform and impact on women听听听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference notes:

That the impact of benefit "reform" and changes to FE funding are putting severe pressure on all further education students-threatening courses and jobs. They impact women specifically:

a.听听听听听听 Women make up 64% of the 24+ FE cohort studying at level 3+ and

being less likely to take up tuition fee loans than men are likely to drop out of level 3+ study disproportionately.

b.听听听听听听 Lone parents (disproportionately women) moved from income support to JSA when their youngest child turns five years are often forced to leave vocational course pathways below level 3 without sufficient study to provide meaningful employment.

Conference resolves:

To campaign for the right of unemployed people to participate in part time further education and obtain meaningful qualifications

To highlight in our campaigning the impact of these austerity measures on women

Conference instructs officers and officials to support branches campaigning including organising a parliamentary meeting/lobby.

FE8A.1听听听听听听听 Further Education Committee

In the last paragraph, delete 鈥榠nstructs officers and officials鈥� and replace with 鈥榗alls on 51福利鈥�

Redundancies and defending conditions of service, paragraphs 4.1 - 4.2

FE9 (EP)听听听听 Zero Hours contracts in FE听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Conference notes the extensive work done by 51福利 on this issue since the last conference. This work has included conducting research to establish for the first time the true scale of the use of zero hours contracts in FE.

Conference notes the findings of 51福利鈥檚 freedom of information request research and that:

路 60% of the 200 responding colleges use zero hours contracts

路 Around 30% of all teaching staff in theses colleges are on zero hours contracts

路 40% of colleges find other ways to address the need for flexibility than using these contracts

Conference supports action already taken to support branches with high numbers of zero hours contracts and pledges to continue campaigning against the use of such contracts by targeting those colleges that have the highest proportion of staff on zero hours contracts.

FE9A.1听听听听听听听 North West FE Sector Committee

Add to end:

鈥楥onference calls on the FEC to develop a broad definition of Zero Hours contracts to include the use of agencies and contracts that are effectively Zero Hours even though they are not identified by college management as such.鈥�

FE10听 Part-time and casualised lecturers听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Barnet & Southgate College, Barnet & Hendon

Conference notes:

鈥� progress in 51福利鈥檚 'Stamp Out Casualisation' campaign

鈥� the continued failure, by most colleges, to meet legal obligations and their own equality policies. Too many staff, particularly women, are hourly-paid (often on zero-hours contracts or agency workers). Many Colleges have failed to address the situation at all, resulting in staff leaving in frustration.

鈥� that the employment of so many casualised staff inevitably impacts adversely on quality of delivery, but that the public, students and parents are largely unaware of the facts.

鈥� the success of a small number of Branches in several equal pay cases.

鈥� 51福利 legal department鈥檚 renewed determination to pursue deserving cases.

Conference instructs FEC to arrange to:

1. prepare publicity material for members specifically aimed at equal pay.

2. re-launch an upgraded 'Stamp Out Casualisation' campaign.

3. present new proposals to the AoC for a national agreement on ordered progression to established posts for part-timers.

FE11 (EP)听听 Efficiency savings and impact on casualised staff听听听听听听听听听 Anti Casualisation Committee

FESC:

鈥� Notes FE managements seeking to renegotiate contracts of employment for lecturers on secure open ended contracts in order to implement "efficiency savings鈥�, and the disproportionate impact this has on casualised members in terms of loss of hours/work.
鈥� Calls on 51福利 and branches to:

1. continue resisting the worsening of terms and conditions in 鈥渆fficiency savings鈥� and contract re-negotiation drives by managements

2. assess impact on hourly paid staff in terms of threat to their volume of work and hours whilst also continuing to demand secure contracts of employment for them.

3. use the information from impact assessment to illustrate the adverse impact on casualised members and encourage moves towards secure open ended contracts

FE12听 Filling staff vacancies听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Barnet & Southgate College, Southgate

Conference notes the wealth of anecdotal evidence that few colleges carry out normal employment practice when vacancies arise i.e. by advertising immediately for a replacement. Instead a College frequently seizes the opportunity to employ lower-paid staff and classes are delivered for long periods by cover, hourly-paid or agency staff and even unqualified technicians. This contributes to the maybe 20 鈥� 40% of all FE teaching being delivered by casualised staff. While not suggesting that such replacements are poor teachers, the lack of permanence, continuity and investment in these staff is deeply damaging to student confidence and educational quality. Serious equality issues also apply.

Conference believes that if students, parents and the public knew the truth there would be a national scandal and colleges would be forced to revise their practices.

Conference instructs FEC to:

a) Organise a national survey of Branches to gather evidence.

b) Publish a report of the findings.

FE13 (EP)听听 Professional Development/Performance Management/The Learner Voice 听听听听听听听听听 South East FE Sector Committee

This Sector Conference notes that in most colleges:

(a) staff are given little or no support for professional development;

(b) are very rarely praised or encouraged;

(c) are constantly subjected to a regime of harassment and suspicion where the emphasis is on performance management and the 'learner voice' is taken as the most important factor;

(d) many decisions are made by management on the basis of an uncritical deference to the 'learner voice' and 'learner experience';

(e) the consequences of this are a denigration of professional authority and the treatment of learners as consumers and that both are to the detriment of learners' education.

This Sector Conference instructs its Officers/Officials to mount a campaign to:

(a) ensure that all staff are able to access appropriate quality professional development;

(b) protect staff from constant harassment;

(d) oppose the redefinition of the learner as a consumer and challenge the deference to the 'learner voice'.

FE13A.1听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Replace the sentence that starts the second section (after (e)) with the following:

鈥楾his Sector Conference calls on 51福利 to continue to campaign to:鈥�

FE14听 Professionalism rather than Performance Management 听听听听听听听听 City of Liverpool College, Bankfield

Conference is increasingly concerned about the levels of performance management in the sector.听 The reliance on micro-management rather than a respect for the professionalism of teachers is resulting in a deterioration of the service and resulting in members leaving the sector and/or suffering from long-term stress related conditions.

Conference calls for:

路 a resurgence of the teacher as professional debate within the union.

路 The FEC to campaign for the re-instatement of the requirement for teachers to be qualified to teach

路 Negotiations with the Education and Training Foundation and the employers to identify systematic ways for valuing teaching and teachers in the sector.

FE14A.1听听听听听 Southern FE Sector Committee

Add at end of paragraph one, after 'conditions' :

鈥楢 further attack on professionalism is the increasing use of support staff to undertake teaching duties within FE colleges.鈥�

Delete the second bullet point and replace as follows:

鈥楾he FEC to campaign for the re-instatement of the requirement for all staff who teach to be qualified to teach and to be employed on a teacher's contract.鈥�

Lesson observation, paragraphs 5.1 - 5.6

FE15听 Composite: lesson observation听听听听听听听听 New College Nottingham, College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, Yorkshire and Humberside FE Sector Committee, East Midlands FE Sector Committee

Conference notes the continuing prominence of Graded Lesson Observations as a source of rancour, conflict and stress for lecturers.

We recognise that this represents one of the biggest attacks on our conditions of employment and professional status that we have faced and as such, it is incumbent on 51福利 to mount a vigorous campaign.

51福利 believes that Teaching and Learning Observations that are developmental and ungraded, when used within a supportive framework, can be a highly effective method of developing classroom practice and teacher confidence.

Many colleges appear very keen to promote an experimental or innovative approach at present (COPPS). However, the present system only reinforces the importance of 鈥減laying safe鈥� as a Grade 3 or 4 may lead to a capability charge against a well-qualified and experienced lecturer. Many lecturers experience observations as punitive and highly stressful. Observations are used in many colleges as a tool to control and discipline teachers.

Conference calls on FEC to draw on the research undertaken by Professor Matt O鈥橪eary and to actively support branches that are experiencing observation policies that have been imposed on their members without a meaningful negotiation with 51福利.

The recent research by Dr Matt O鈥橪eary makes a number of recommendations that can be used as a starting point:

1. Explore alternative supportive models of observation

2. Prioritise the professional development needs of staff

3. Formal allocation of timetabled hours for observation: pre-observation, feedback and feed-forward meetings

4. Need for a multi-dimensional model of teacher assessment

5. Stop relying on the Ofsted 4-point scale to assess and measure observations.

Conference notes:

The increasingly draconian lesson observation policies being used in the FE sector.
The recent research by Matt O鈥橪eary and others suggesting that graded lesson observations have little or no value.
The attempts by management at some colleges to introduce harsh new observation regimes, including the graded re-observation of teachers who obtain a Grade 3.
The punitive, as opposed to supportive, use of graded observations, including in some instances the linking of Grade 3 to capability procedures and possible dismissal.

路 That graded observations are often based on spurious criteria and have little pedagogical value.

That they are used by managements as a method of controlling and bullying teachers rather than of genuinely improving their performance.

Conference resolves to:

make use of the O鈥橪eary research to arm branches with additional guidance in their struggle with management;
campaign nationally, regionally and at branch level for a minimum requirement of non-graded observations and no link with Capability procedures;

consider other courses of action such as balloting members for organised boycotts of Graded Lesson Observations, already carried out by some branches;

路 campaign for the abolition of graded observations across the sector;

路 that the union offers its full support to branches in dispute over observations;

路 mandate the FEC to develop a toolkit on observations.

FE15A.1听听听听听 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add at end of paragraph 3 鈥極bservations are also often used as a capability mechanism for disabled staff working without secured reasonable adjustments and/or any formal acknowledgment by management on how an impairment can impact on the ability to undertake certain tasks.鈥�

Add bullet point at end of motion:

鈥樷棌听听听听 ensure that all the actions above take into account and include the issues facing disabled staff in lesson observation.鈥�

FE16听 FE lesson observation policy听听听听听听听听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Conference notes:

路 The research report by Dr Matt O鈥橪eary commissioned by 51福利;

路 Growing concern in branches over graded observations which treat lesson observations as primarily capability and performance indicators;

路 Some management have sought to remove safeguards such as negative preference, realistic observation windows, acceptable periods of notification.

Conference believes lesson observations should:

路 incorporate the O鈥橪eary report recommendations, ie they should be supportive mechanisms for better professional learning, disaggregated from performance indicators;

路 include elements of professional self-assessment, peer review and practical teaching support, and should appreciate the need for contextualising teaching.

路 include timetabled feedback.

听Conference resolves to:

路 Step up campaigning for developmental, ungraded observations;

路 encourage regional FE committees to identify one or more colleges in which to encourage campaigns for such observation policies;

路 ensure that every college observation policy has been agreed with the 51福利 branch subject to 51福利 national guidelines.

New paragraph, Ofsted, after paragraph 5.6

FE17听 OFSTED听听听听听听 West Midlands FE Sector Council

Conference notes its opposition to the OFSTED inspection system recognising the detrimental effect it has on education and lectures lives.
Conference further notes OFSTED has created a culture of fear and loathing within our colleges and no longer carries any respect within the profession.
We believe that apart from the obvious impact it has on the workload, stress and health of lecturers, the inspections are not conducive to providing a good quality balanced education for students.
Conference resolves to:
1) Campaign for non-cooperation with OFSTED inspection arrangements
2) Ballot members to support a boycott of OFSTED and all consultative inspections around the OFSTED framework
3) Campaign for the abolition of OFSTED
4) Campaign for a bottom-up college based self evaluation framework to replace OFSTED with a system more appropriate for FE
5) Publicise the public money being spent on consultants and mock inspections for the 鈥淥FSTED readiness鈥� industry.

FE17A.1听听听听听 Further Education Committee

In every instance that OFSTED is mentioned, except for in point 5), follow 鈥極FSTED鈥� with 鈥�/ESTYN鈥�.

Workloads, paragraph 6.1

FE18 Workload听听 North West FE Sector Committee

This conference believes that increased workloads are due largely to duplication and sometimes triplication in recording data.

In order to alleviate this workload, staff should not be expected to:

鈥� Enter data in more than one place

鈥� Do withdrawals and transfers

鈥� Provide management with data that is already centrally held

鈥� Carry out administration tasks relating to the enrolment process

鈥� Back mark registers

Conference calls on the FE Committee to draw up a checklist for branches in negotiating arrangements around workloads.

FE18A.1听听听听听 Further Education Committee

In the second paragraph after the word 鈥渨orkload鈥�, add 鈥渢eaching鈥�.

FE18A.2听听听听听 East Midlands FE Sector Committee

Delete last full stop
Add at end: 鈥榓nd asks for regional committees to work with branches to determine effective work to rule actions in order to achieve the desired outcome for members.鈥�

New paragraph, funding, after paragraph 6.1

FE19 (EP) Composite: FE funding cuts听听听听听听 Further Education Committee, London Regional Committee, Southern FE Sector Committee, Yorkshire and Humberside FE Sector Committee, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, North West FE Sector Committee

Conference notes the government has decided to cut funding for 18 year olds studying in England. From next year, 18 year-old students in England will see their funding cut by 17.5%. The cuts will mean that 18 year olds in Colleges will be funded at a lower rate that 16 and 17 year olds. The move, as part of George Osborne鈥檚 Autumn Statement, comes as the compulsory education age goes up to 18, and is bad news for students and for colleges.

Conference deplores the continued government cuts to funding for FE and in particular:

路 EFA cut to 18 year old funding

路 19+ apprentice funding frozen and

路 Remainder of Adult Skills Budget cut 15%

Across England, the move is expected to affect around 100,000 young people, and while numbers affected will vary from college to college it will make it much more difficult for FE Colleges to make adequate provision for this group of students. Also FE Colleges are likely to be disproportionately affected, compared to schools, because of the larger number of 18+ students.

This conference rejects the government's cut in funding for 18+ students. This will hit those students who need extra time to achieve their qualifications and who are often those in most need of extra support. It will impact hardest on the most disadvantaged and undermine the ability of the Further Education sector to offer a second chance to those who do not succeed at school.

For lecturers, this will lead to workload increases, cutting courses, combining classes and redundancies.

For students, it also has a disproportionate effect on those with support needs. Furthermore, it seriously disadvantages student progression and opportunities for training and re-training. This is an equality issue.

For the economy, this goes against the alleged Government intention to have a skilled workforce.

This all comes after four years of already savage cuts resulting in mass redundancies and increased workloads for those who remain.

All this coming at a time when the government wants to increase education participation to 18 years and while further education plays a vital role give choices and second chances to an otherwise new generation lost to under employment.

Conference supports the union鈥檚 past campaigning on funding such as the Knowledge Economy initiative and the parliamentary lobby held on 2 April 2014.

We commend 51福利 for its response to this issue and call upon the FEC to intensify the campaign against these appallingly pernicious cuts, working with regions, branches, other unions, the AOC, employers, students, parents, the media and other stakeholders to fight for a reversal of this cut, and the implementation of adequate funding for FE and Adult students.

Conference agrees to make a campaign against this policy a priority and calls on FEC to:

lead on an urgent campaign that is able to quantify the impact of these cuts and that challenges the government鈥檚 agenda to focus cuts on the most vulnerable;
continue to campaign together with other appropriate organisations for increased funding for Further Education;
mount a 51福利 publicity campaign alerting students, parents and college staff to this change.

FE19A.1听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add at the end of the motion a 4th bullet point as follows:

鈥樷棌听听听听听听 carry out research to ascertain and identify the specific group of students and staff who have been most disadvantaged by cuts in FE funding such as black, women, and disabled people and identify the particular disadvantages they have suffered in respect of their life chances and careers.鈥�

New paragraph, adult education and ESOL

FE20听 Adult education and ESOL听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Lambeth College

Conference notes the drastic cut in adult funding for this year; the changes in delivery of ESOL which will mean a cut in guided learning hours of up to 70%; the success of the Action for ESOL campaign 2 years ago in pushing back attacks on ESOL provision

Conference believes that adult education is in danger of disappearing completely; that ESOL provision will be doubly hit by the cut in adult funding and the changes to delivery; that a national campaign to defend all of Adult Education is urgently needed to defend ESOL alongside the other areas of adult education

Conference resolves to launch a national campaign to defend the whole of Adult Education and to look to the successes of Action for ESOL as part of building that campaign; and to call an organising conference as soon as possible.

FE20A.1听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

After the second paragraph, add:

鈥楥onference notes that members of already marginalised groups in society - LGBT people, BME and disabled people, women and older people especially - are being further marginalised by the impact of the cuts to Adult Education and ESOL by closing off first and second chance options, increasing social isolation, and undermining quality of life.鈥�

FE20A.2听听听听听 Lambeth College

After 鈥楥onference resolves to鈥�, add: 鈥�1. Investigate the impact of these attacks on BME and disabled staff and students. 2.鈥�

FE20A.3听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Last paragraph, after 鈥楢dult Education鈥�, insert 鈥�, to highlight the gender impact of these cuts鈥�

FE21听 Support for adult community learning 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Luton and Bedfordshire ACE

Conference affirms its commitment and the importance of Adult Community Learning (ACL).听 Conference recognizes the cumulative impact on successive cuts in ACL and the difficulties adults face due to fewer opportunities to learn new skills or improve on current skills in English as a Second Language (ESOL), ICT and Family Learning.听 This inhibits the ability to overcome difficulties due to austerity, as well as other training to enable adults find employment and improve their lives.

Conference calls on the 51福利 to:

路 Monitor ACL and report findings to ACL Branches, the FEC and听 NEC for urgent action

路 Prepare an Action Plan to increase ACL and Report to next Conference

路 Work with ACL providers, the government and local authorities to explore ways in which to market ACL

路 Introduce an urgent strategy to extend union membership within ACL.

FE22听 Composite: defending adult education听听听听听听 Richmond Adult Community College, City of Islington College (Finsbury Park)

Conference notes

1.听听听听 The Continued attacks on Adult Education.

2. 听听听 The Coalition Government鈥檚 funding cuts to Further & Adult Education amount to a 34% cut since 2010

3.听听听听 This year there is an additional 9% cut to the Adult Funding Rate

4. 听听听 Most courses that are non-qualification courses are being closed

5. 听听听 There are no opportunities for adults, particularly those on benefits or in low paid jobs, to retrain or gain new skills.

6.听听听听 Figures published by the National Office for Statistics indicate that
(i) 15% of 16-64yr olds in this country have no qualifications
(ii) In 50 local council areas across the country this figure rises to 1 in 5 (20%)

7.听听听听 Qualification courses, such as Access courses are being cut and curtailed. The situation has now been made worse by the introduction of fees.

8.听听听听 Millions of people who are not working because of ill health or because of retirement are not able to attend courses that would improve and or maintain their physical and mental well-being.

Conference believes:

That it is a scandal that the Government are cutting funding to Further & Adult Education and making lecturers unemployed when there are more than a million adults who could be in college learning skills and receiving education to help them get a job.

Conference resolves:

(i)听听听听听 To launch a national campaign to protect and defend Adult Education.

(ii)听听听听听 That 51福利 make Adult learning and its role in the Community a Central campaigning issue.

(iii) 听听听 That this campaign is part of a strategic lobbying and public campaigning that aims to influence all political parties听听 and voters in the run up to the coming General Election.

FE23听 Access to HE/loans听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 West Midlands FE Sector Council

This conference rejects the government鈥檚 cuts in funding for adult students and the pernicious use of 24 plus loans. In addition changes made by QAA to Access to HE course structures has resulted in colleges discontinuing their Access programmes and makes a mockery of the widening participation agenda.
These changes will impact hardest on the most disadvantaged and undermine the ability of the Further Education sector to offer a second chance to those who do not succeed at school.
Conference:
1) Instructs the NEC to investigate the impact these changes have made especially to adults wishing to start Access to HE programmes and to publicise the importance of Access courses particularly to working class women.
2) Agree to campaign against government鈥檚 cuts in funding and the use of student loans.

FE23A.1听听听听听 Disabled Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add at end of second paragraph 鈥業n particular disabled people who are more likely to have been denied equal access to primary and secondary education. Further education is often disabled people鈥檚 first chance to secure an education.鈥�

Add at end of point 1) 鈥榓nd disabled people.鈥�

New paragraph, 14-16 year olds in FE

FE24听 14-16 year olds in FE College听听听听听听听听听听 Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

Conference opposes the government鈥檚 decision to allow colleges to recruit 14 to 16 year olds as full time students. This will be a departure from the current policy which only allows younger students to attend college but on a part time basis. Conference opposes this change because:

鈥� It will lead to further differentiation of pupils into academic and vocational routes at the age of 14
鈥� It will lead to further competition between schools and colleges with colleges under pressure to recruit students to attract the funding
鈥� Colleges do not have the resources required to provide for younger students
鈥� Teaching staff in FE are not trained for this type of teaching
鈥� It will change the character of FE Colleges where students attend on a voluntary basis and are treated as adults.

New paragraph, institutions and governance

FE25 (EP)听听 FE Governance听听听听听 Chesterfield College

Conference notes:

The very significant and unaccountable powers held by College boards of governors.

The potential for increased powers and scope for governing bodies through the development of academies and other stand-alone training providers in the area of post 16 education.

That many governors have been in office for lengthy periods of time, in many cases in breach of the Nolan guidelines on standards in public life.

Conference resolves:

To continue to campaign for the full democratic and accountable governance of Further education colleges with democratically elected and accountable boards of governors.
To campaign to ensure in the interim that existing boards of governors abide by the limited guidelines on standards in public life.

FE25A.1听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Last paragraph, after 鈥榓ccountable boards of governors鈥�, add, 鈥榓nd for positive action to ensure that these reflect the communities they serve鈥�.

FE25A.2听听听听听 Black Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add at end of motion a third paragraph as follows:

鈥楾o produce a list of governing bodies of all FE Colleges and a breakdown of members in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability and LGBT,听 and any other relevant information. The list should also identify the Chair of each governing body in terms of听 ethnicity, gender, disability and LGBT, and any other relevant information.鈥�

FE25A.3听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

Add to end of motion:

To campaign to ensure that all governors are trained in all aspects of Equality, but specifically in LGBT issues.

FE26听 Revocation of Incorporation 听听听听听听听听听听听 South East FE Sector Committee

This Sector Conference notes that the Incorporation of Colleges in 1993 led to:

(a) colleges being taken from LEA's without any compensation for loss of land, buildings and investment;

(b) the misuse of public funds as the newly incorporated colleges set up unnecessary senior staffing structures with pay levels well beyond the pay of support and lecturing staff;

(d) the problems for national bargaining with the undermining of pay agreements and national conditions of service.

This Sector Conference therefore instructs its Officers and Officials to mount a campaign to draw to the attention of the public and particularly taxpayers the problems of Incorporation and to lobby for an end to Incorporation.

FE27 (EP)听听 The University Technical College and other adventures听听听听听听听听听 East Midlands FE Sector committee

Conference notes the increasing tendency of educational institutions to enter into partnerships with each other and with local businesses to set up alternative bodies (like University Technical Colleges, studio schools etc.) to run courses they already provide.

These bodies are often run in competition with the local FE College and sometimes using the same building and under the same management as the college itself.

This produces a situation where a college (often with the help of a local university) is in direct competition with itself!

Conference deplores this behaviour. It is the creation of a market for no practical reason, and adds nothing to the educational provision of the area 鈥� it is a waste of resources.

Conference calls on the NEC to work with local politicians with a view to discouraging institutions from engaging in this sort of ridiculous adventurism.

FE27A.1听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Replace last paragraph with the following:

鈥楥onference calls on 51福利 to support branches in campaigning on this issue, including working with trades councils and local politicians with a view to discouraging institutions from engaging in this sort of ridiculous adventurism.鈥�

FE28听 Management鈥檚 failure to follow procedures in dealing with Student complaints 听听听听听听听听听 Westminster Kingsway College, Peter Street

Conference believes that
1. local line managers have a duty to resolve any disputes arising between teachers and students informally in the first place- in a timely manner- by whenever possible bringing together the staff member and the complainant with a manager, who should attempt to act as a mediator.
2. management has a duty of care towards teachers and students alike, and that this must be adhered to. We are deeply concerned that procedures should be followed and consider risk assessments should be carried out on the effect on teachers' physical, emotional and mental health.

MOTIONS NOT ORDERED INTO THE AGENDA

I听听听听听听听 Motions received after the deadline for Congress motions

II 听听听听 Motions not approved in accordance with the Congress standing orders

III听听听听 Motions not within the remit of 51福利 Congress and sector conferences

IV听听听听听 Motions not submitted to the appropriate conference

V听听听听听听 Amendments considered not to be in order for debate

I听听听听听听听 Motions received after the deadline for Congress motions

The following motion was considered not to be within the union鈥檚 aims and objects.

Submitted to Congress:

B1听听听听 Opposing the use of Water Cannons听听听听听听听听听听 London听 Regional Committee

Congress Notes

The mayor of London has written to the Home Secretary for permission to use three water cannons

The threat to democratic protest and physical danger that water cannons represent.

Resolves

That 51福利 campaigns with other unions and the NUS, against the use of such dangerous, repressive weapons of control.

51福利 explores what legal challenges can be used against such use.

51福利 lobbies all Political Parties to commit to banning Water Cannon

II 听听听听 Motions not approved in accordance with the Congress standing orders

Submitted to Congress:

B2听听听听 An Injury to One is an Injury to All听听听听听听听听听听 Nottingham Trent University

Congress notes that a number of Higher Education Institutions including Nottingham Trent University punished our members by docking a full day's pay for three two hour strikes. Members were left isolated and vulnerable to further attacks from our employers. Congress is resolved to defend members where punitive pay deductions are made and no breach of contract has been committed by calling an all out national strike if such an event occurs.

B3听听听听 Defending and organising around workplace health and safety听听听听听听听 University of Salford

Congress notes:

鈥� that in order to kill off health and safety, the Government is implementing:

- further cuts in the HSE budget

- 听cuts in enforcement action of all kinds,

- destruction of key elements of protective legislation

- 听attacks on sick/disabled members, forcing sick employees back to work.

路 Members are increasingly confronted by the importance of rigorous health and safety standards due to increased/intensified workload, online assessment, cutting edge research and international assignments

Congress believes:

1. organised workplaces are safer workplaces.

2. attacks on workplace standards are already impacting on our members physical and mental health.

Congress therefore calls on our union to:

鈥� encourage the growth of regional networks of trained safety reps, embedded in branch committees, engaging members, and promoting health and safety activity.

鈥� sponsor a delegation to the Hazards Conference and make a significant donation

鈥� encourage branches and regions to support the Hazards Campaign.

III听听听听 Motions not within the remit of 51福利 Congress and sector conferences

听听听听听听听听 The following motion was considered not to be within the union鈥檚 aims and objects.

Submitted to Congress:

B4听听听听 Age Friendly Cities 听听听听听听听 South East Retired Members鈥� Branch

Congress restates its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its retired members. To this end it welcomes the decision of the City of Brighton & Hove to seek 'Age Friendly City' status with the World Health Organisation. Congress calls on the N.E.C. to endorse this initiative and encourage appropriate branches to campaign locally for their city to commit itself to achieving 'Age Friendly City' status.

IV听听听听听 Motions not submitted to the appropriate conference

Submitted to HE sector conference and considered to be the business of Congress:

B5听听听听 Performance Management and Bullying听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Women Members鈥� Standing Committee

Conference:

路 Observes the increasing neo-liberal climate where performance management / capability procedures are gathering pace in our organisations It notes the report for the Scottish TUC by Professor Phil Taylor of Strathclyde University which clearly outlines the realities in workplaces

路 Congratulates the Federation of Entertainment Union members who have recently (2013) produced a detailed survey on bullying / harassment at work.

Notes the overwhelming support by the Women鈥檚 TUC in March 2014 to campaign for bullying to be recognised as a specific clause in health and safety or equality legislation

Conference is called upon to:

路 Publicise and educate in our 51福利 branches

Undertake a survey to provide an up to date picture of the realities of bullying and harassment in our workplaces

Mount a campaign for recognition of bullying as a specific clause in legislation.

B6听听听听 Supporting international Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans students听听听听听听听听 LGBT Members鈥� Standing Committee

The LGBT MSC has expressed concerns about the situation in a number of countries in respect to LGBT people. Research in the HE sector has shown that staff can be hesitant to talk openly about LGBT issues due to perception about attitudes brought to the lecture hall by students from such countries. Obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty relating to preventing homophobia and transphobia are often not demonstrably met. Concurrently international LGBT students may experience a difference in support they expect and that which they receive in this country. More steps need to be taken to protect such students including setting up services to support LGBT students and to promote awareness about specific services.

Conference calls on 51福利 to:

路 Mount an awareness campaign for students of their rights under the PSED.

路 Work with the NUS to take this forward.

路 Ask branches to ensure they promote this.

B7听听听听 Mental health, stress and health and safety听听听听听听听听听 University of Hertfordshire

Conference notes:

鈥� Reports of rising mental health issues for academics and academic related staff.

鈥� The demands on individual 51福利 branches in conducting casework.

鈥� The excellent work done by 51福利 on stress.

Conference believes:

鈥� That the increase in mental health issues is related to rising levels of stress with metrics in teaching and research used to ratchet up the 鈥榩roductivity鈥� of lecturers, researchers and academic related staff

Conference requests:

鈥� That 51福利 produces a toolkit for collectively taking up issues of stress and how it can be made central to health and safety and the negotiating agenda.

B8听听听听 Support Syrian students and the popular committees听听 University of Liverpool

On January 2013 Assad鈥檚 air-force bombed Aleppo University, the city鈥檚 most prestigious HE institution, many students died. Assad鈥檚 military attacks have killed many students according to the Union of Free Syrian students and Amnesty International.

Human Rights Watch has documented Assad鈥檚 government war crimes which has killed 65,000 civilians and created 9 million refugees.

The popular resistance face executions from Jihadist groups.

This Conference:

- Condemns Assad鈥檚 war.

- Is opposed to US military intervention.

- Condemns support for the regime by Russia, Iran, and Islamist forces attacks on the civil oppositionists.

- Pledges to build links with student resistance and the popular committees.

Conference calls for:

- an end to the bombardment of civilians.

- unrestricted access for humanitarian aid throughout the country.

- 听an end to torture and the release of all detainees by Assad鈥檚 regime. - support the popular resistance鈥檚 right to defend itself.

B9听听听听 Subscription rates for employed post-graduates听听听听听听听听听听 University of Bath

Conference notes that:

鈥� Many post-graduate students are employed by their HE institutions in teaching and/or administrative roles using zero-hour and/or part-time contracts, and that many earn below 拢5,000 per annum.

鈥� At present, employed post-graduate students are excluded from student membership of the 51福利, may only join as standard full members and must pay subscription rates accordingly (拢2.34-拢2.36 and 拢4.10-拢4.14 per month for students earning below 拢5,000 and below 拢10,000 per annum respectively).

Conference believes that:

鈥� It is vital that we attract new members, particularly those at the start of the careers in HE, so as to increase and re-normalise union membership.

鈥� The subscription rates applicable to most employed post-graduate students raise only small amounts of revenue for the 51福利 but represent a significant barrier to membership.

Conference instructs:

鈥� The NEC to remove subscription rates for post-graduate students employed in HE earning less than 拢10,000 per annum.

V听听听听听听 Amendments considered not to be in order for debate

The following amendment was considered not to be valid.

B10听听 Amendment to HE4 听听听听听听 Southern HE sector committee

Delete all text after the first sentence, so that the motion ends: 'pay parity across the sector.'

ORIGINAL TEXT OF COMPOSITED MOTIONS

The original text of composited motions appears in a further appendix to this report, 51福利/586A, available at or
or on request from Kay Metcalfe at 51福利鈥檚 head office. These will be included in the printed agenda that delegates receive on arrival at Congress.

51福利

University and College Union

7听听听听听听听听听 Other changes since the first report

8听听听听听听听听听 CBC advice

9听听听听听听听听听 Timetable for Congress and Sector Conferences

If CBC does not consider that the above criteria are satisfied then the motion will not be ordered for debate. These motions may still be taken as business by Congress or Sector Conference if a motion to do so is passed by a two-thirds majority of the relevant conference.

13听听听听听听听 Standing orders of Congress

路 The 100% pay deduction at MMU for a 2-hour strike

路 That in response the MMU Branch voted for escalation

路 That MMU management is threatening to deduct 100% in any marking boycott

路 That only branches suffering punitive pay-docking had the option of escalation

believes

路 That during national action any attack by one employer is the direct concern of every branch

路 That during national action every branch attacked individually must be supported by the whole union

demands

路 That during national action, branches which suffer individualised attacks from management must have the option of escalation

路 That during national action, when there are individualised attacks all branches involved in the action must have the opportunity of escalation

路 That the 51福利 nationally should provide information and support to this effect