At its annual general meeting on 26 June, the UCU branch at the University of Nottingham registered its dismay about how UCU management has handled the industrial dispute with its staff organised within Unite. In full solidarity with Unite members, the following motion was passed by an overwhelming majority with no votes against and only a few abstentions.
Motion on Unite UCU Industrial Dispute and the BMSC
This branch notes:
- Strong allegations about institutional racism within UCU expressed by Unite UCU and the Black Member Standing Committee (BMSC);
- Concerns that workload for UCU staff exceeds safe levels and sickness absence rates are as high as 40%;
- UCU’s breach of its recognition agreement with Unite by recognising an additional trade union;
- Further equality related concerns affecting staff and members.
This branch believes:
- That as a trade union UCU must be a model employer;
- That UCU employees deserve a safe and healthy workplace, free from racism and other forms of discrimination;
- That an ongoing industrial dispute is unacceptable for any trade union employer;
- That the ongoing industrial dispute is highly disruptive to our union’s day-to-day functioning;
- That the ongoing industrial dispute is damaging to our legitimacy when making claims to our own employers.
This branch resolves:
- To express solidarity with Unite UCU and the BMSC;
- To donate £500 to the Unite UCU solidarity fund;
- To instruct branch committee to write to the General Secretary and President demanding in the strongest terms possible a swift resolution to the dispute in the interest of UCU staff as well as to the concerns expressed by the BMSC.