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Website URL : http://www.ucu.org.uk/4652
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 Higher education sector conferenceHE1 National bargaining - London South Bank UniversityConference notes:
Conference believes that:
Conference resolves:
CARRIED AS AMENDED HE1A.1 - Staffordshire University Under "Conference notes" add at end of ii) "and Staffordshire University's announced intention to break from national pay bargaining", add at end of iii) "and Staffordshire University's proposed "modern interpretation" of the national contract." Under "Conference resolves" i) add after LSBU "and Staffordshire", and add "iv) to press Staffordshire University management not to withdraw from national bargaining." CARRIED HE1A.2 - London South Bank University under conference notes ii), delete 'threats to move to local bargaining on pay and other matters'. Replace with 'break from national pay bargaining' under conference believes iii), delete 'threaten'. Replace with 'pose a serious threat to' under conference resolves, add new point at end: 'to organise the grey-listing of LSBU if it has not committed to honour the 2009-10 pay award and return to national bargaining before 4 June 2010' CARRIED HE1A.3 - University of Hertfordshire Add new point at end of motion: 'to prevent any UCU branches from doing local deals that undermine national bargaining or conditions of service.' CARRIED Substantive motion Conference notes:
Conference believes that:
Conference resolves:
HE2 Joint union working - Higher education committeeConference notes the closer working relationships established with the other HE trade unions during the past 12 months. In particular, conference welcomes the joint campaigning work, both locally and nationally, under the '5 unions, 1 demand - defend higher education, defend jobs' banner; and the local examples where joint approaches have been taken to a range of issues, including pressing employers for equality impact assessments. Conference also congratulates the national trade union side for effectively resisting employer attempts to create divisions amongst the five unions during the 2009/10 negotiating round. Conference notes the tough financial and political environment within which the sector is operating. While recognising that each union has its own policies and procedures to consider and promote in the interests of its membership, conference believes that joint union working should be encouraged, wherever appropriate. CARRIED HE3 Job security – Fixed term contract regulations - University of ManchesterConference recognises that, despite the introduction of the fixed term regulations eight years ago, progress towards real job security for university researchers remains disappointingly slow. Conference therefore instructs the UCU executive to continue robustly tackling inertia on this issue in the following ways:
CARRIED AS AMENDED HE3A.1 - University of Manchester Paragraph 1, first sentence - after 'university researchers' add 'and other FTC staff'' (drafting amendment) CARRIED HE3A.2 - Higher education committee In point 3, replace 'Rolling out a' with 'Continue with the' CARRIED Substantive motion Conference recognises that, despite the introduction of the fixed term regulations eight years ago, progress towards real job security for university researchers and other FTC staff remains disappointingly slow. Conference therefore instructs the UCU executive to continue robustly tackling inertia on this issue in the following ways:
HE4 Hours of work for hourly paid staff - Anti-casualisation committeeHESC notes that: many hourly-paid staff receive insufficient information on hours of work and pay; this is particularly problematic for postgraduate and early career staff teaching new topics, requiring more preparation; demonstrators are frequently used as a cheap teaching resource; staff have concerns about possible effects of raising issues on future employment and treatment in the workplace and/or in their student capacity. We ask HEC to press employers for contracts / terms and conditions which:
CARRIED HE5 Zero tolerance for zero hours contracts - University of BirminghamHESC notes with dismay the continued use of 'zero-hours contracts' in HE, and the resulting low pay and job insecurity of members employed on such contracts. HESC instructs HEC to launch a vigorous campaign entitled 'zero tolerance for zero hours' with the aim of stamping out such contracts. The campaign should include lobbying of MPs, MSPs and MWAs to make such contracts illegal in the course of the current Parliament. (drafting amendment) CARRIED AS AMENDED HE5A.1 - Women members standing committee Add second sentence to first paragraph: HESC notes that the increased use of such exploitative contracts has a disproportionate effect on women. CARRIED HE5A.2 - Higher education committee In the second paragraph, after 'HEC' add 'to seek support from the recruitment, organising and campaigning committee (ROCC)' CARRIED Substantive motion HESC notes with dismay the continued use of 'zero-hours contracts' in HE, and the resulting low pay and job insecurity of members employed on such contracts. HESC notes that the increased use of such exploitative contracts has a disproportionate effect on women. HESC instructs HEC to seek support from the recruitment, organising and campaigning committee (ROCC) to launch a vigorous campaign entitled 'zero tolerance for zero hours' with the aim of stamping out such contracts. The campaign should include lobbying of MPs, MSPs and MWAs to make such contracts illegal in the course of the current parliament. HE6 Fighting job/pay cuts and ensuring equality impact assessments - Northumbria UniversityConference notes:
It calls for:
CARRIED AS AMENDED HE6A.1 - Higher education committee At start of final paragraph 'It calls' to be replaced with 'Conference calls on HEC to continue the development of strategies'. CARRIED Substantive motion Conference notes:
Conference calls on HEC to continue the development of strategies for:
HE7 Equality Impact Assessment - University of ManchesterNoting the legislative requirement for employers to conduct impact assessments on all relevant policies and policy changes and noting that many higher education institutions have been slow at implementing their statutory duties in this respect, conference urges the HEC to adopt a stance against further procrastination. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE7A.1 - University of Manchester At the end add, 'Conference instructs the HEC to investigate what steps can be taken to ensure that employers fulfil their statutory obligation'. CARRIED HE7A.2 - Higher education committee After 'conferences urges the HEC to', add 'build on existing campaigns'. CARRIED Substantive motion Noting the legislative requirement for employers to conduct impact assessments on all relevant policies and policy changes and noting that many higher education institutions have been slow at implementing their statutory duties in this respect, conference urges the HEC to build on existing campaigns to adopt a stance against further procrastination. Conference instructs the HEC to investigate what steps can be taken to ensure that employers fulfil their statutory obligation. HE8 Equal pay - Disabled members standing committeeSector conference notes the Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staffs (JNCHES) guidance on equal pay reviews which calls on institutions to undertake regular equal pay reviews covering all equality areas including disability. Sector conference calls on the HEC, in liaison with the equality committee, to:
CARRIED HE9 Disability equality agreement - Disabled members standing committeeSector conference notes the new national guidance agreement on disability equality for further education colleges, which includes an agreement on disability leave and disability related absence. HESC further notes that no such national agreement exists in the higher education sector. HESC calls on the HEC, in liaison with the disabled members standing committee to:
CARRIED HE10 Cut-backs and equality in HE - LGBT members standing committeeConference notes that cut-backs in higher education reflect choices about what kind of society we live in. Conference believes that higher education in the UK must be for the benefit of all and that equality must be at the heart of all operations. Recognising the significant work being done by UCU members and staff at a number of universities, conference condemns Government cuts and opposes the ill-considered employment proposals that many universities across the country have been issuing. Conference also notes that it is often the workers who are most marginalised or feel most uncomfortable in the institutions that will go first. In this context conference calls on HEC to review and report on the equality impact of these cuts on employment proposals and practices as they affect all equality strands and work to ensure that schemes do not have a disproportionate effect on any group of members. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE10A.1 - Higher education committee In the last sentence after ' In this context the conference calls on HEC to' add 'build on bargaining priorities and campaigns to'. CARRIED Substantive motion Conference notes that cut-backs in higher education reflect choices about what kind of society we live in. Conference believes that higher education in the UK must be for the benefit of all and that equality must be at the heart of all operations. Recognising the significant work being done by UCU members and staff at a number of universities, conference condemns Government cuts and opposes the ill-considered employment proposals that many universities across the country have been issuing. Conference also notes that it is often the workers who are most marginalised or feel most uncomfortable in the institutions that will go first. In this context conference calls on HEC to build on bargaining priorities and campaigns to review and report on the equality impact of these cuts on employment proposals and practices as they affect all equality strands and work to ensure that schemes do not have a disproportionate effect on any group of members. HE11 Higher Education Race Forum - Black members standing committeeConference notes the HEFCE funded Higher Education Race Forum which is conducting research into the experiences of black and minority ethnic (BME) staff working in the higher education sector. The initial research centres on how management practice, support frameworks and relationships, and leadership and development opportunities impact on BME staff. The next stage of the project will be focused on recommendations and practical outcomes, with a phase of work dedicated to developing and piloting initiatives aimed at improving the experiences of black staff. The research is underpinned and informed by the involvement of black staff and UCU has four places on the forum. We believe that the nature of the work is such that we must continue to provide a high level of commitment and engagement. Conference resolves to support this important initiative and looks forward to a full report next year of the outcomes and proposed future work. CARRIED HE12 Promoting sexual orientation equality in HE - LGBT members standing committeeSector conference notes the publication of Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) research into the experience of LGB and T staff and students in higher education. Sector conference calls on HEC, the Equality Committee and regional executives to
· support the Equality Committee in getting HE branches and LAs to respond to the next survey based on the sexual orientation equality checklist. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE12A.1 - Higher education committee Add 'seek support from ROCC to' at the beginning of second, third and forth bullet points. CARRIED Substantive motion Sector conference notes the publication of Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) research into the experience of LGB and T staff and students in higher education. Sector conference calls on HEC, the Equality Committee and regional executives to
CBC advice, motions HE13 and HE14: If motion HE13 is passed, motion HE14 falls. HE13 London - Regional HE committeeConference notes:
Conference resolves:
CARRIED HE14 Defending jobs, defending education - University of Brighton Grand ParadeConference notes the decision of the Special HE Sector Conference to build towards a national ballot for industrial action this year over jobs and educational provision, and to link this continuing fight to next year's pay claim. Conference reaffirms that decision and instructs the HEC to identify a detailed plan for a ballot this year that will draw together all local disputes and threats. WITHDRAWN HE14A.1 Composite - Open University, Queen's University Belfast In the first sentence delete 'a' and replace 'ballot' with 'mobilisation', insert 'should the component institutions of UCEA refuse to agree to negotiations' between 'year' and 'over', and delete 'educational'. In the second sentence replace 'this year' with 'during the current pay round, when the strongest campaign may be built'. CBC advice, amendments HE14A.2 and HE14A.3 (below): if amendment HE14A.2 is passed, amendment HE14A.3 falls HE14A.2 - Open University Add at the end of the second paragraph, 'The timing of any future industrial action, including the timing of the ballot and the commencement and termination of industrial action, must be decided at full meetings of the HEC.' HE14A.3 - Queen's University Belfast Add at end of second para 'The timing of any future national HE15 Role of HE Conference and of HE Committee - University of Brighton, Grand Parade and FalmerConference registers that February's Special HE Sector Conference (SHESC) policy on jobs and pay has been effectively overturned by subsequent decisions of the Higher Education Committee. The SHESC determined on a summer ballot for industrial action in the absence of a national agreement on redundancy avoidance, linked to the 2010-11 pay claim, and carried forward into next year. HEC has, thus far, adopted a dispute timetable that threatens to postpone the ballot until next academic year, and thus action until the Spring. In censure of such earlier decisions, HE Sector Conference reaffirms that it is the supreme policy-making body in respect of HE, and the role of the HEC is to implement conference policy. LOST HE16 Cut management excess not staff jobs - London Metropolitan University (North Branch)Conference notes:
Conference believes:
Conference resolves:
CARRIED AS AMENDED HE16A.1 - LGBT members standing committee Under 'Conference notes', at the end of the fourth bullet point delete the full stop and replace with a semi-colon, then add: 'yet Equality Impact Assessments are not carried out. Meanwhile Vice Chancellors should be condemned for failing to protect members' jobs while protecting their own.' Under 'Conference resolves', delete 'To promote the argument that out with the' and replace with 'That the NEC campaign to' After 'funding of our universities' delete 'we should be aiming' and replace with 'with the aim' After the end of the sentence add: 'Further to ensure appropriate equality capacity building skills for managers.' CARRIED Substantive motion Conference notes:
Conference believes:
Conference resolves:
HE17 Facilities for academics - University of LeedsConference notes that in the present economic climate, many academics will be pressurised to accept various redundancy packages. For academics, loss of position entails not only loss of income but also major disruption to, or loss of careers built up over many years. Conference resolves that the UCU enter into negotiations with Universities UK to establish the automatic right of access of all academics (teaching, research, related etc.) to all universities' facilities, irrespective of employment status and without charge to the academic. These facilities to include, computing (including university email address), library, peer support, departmental desk space, with the right to publish in the academic literature from the academic base, participate in academic discussion and to apply for funding etc. This will mitigate the effects of job loss and enable academics to continue to develop their careers with minimal disruption. REMITTED HE18 Solidarity with our students - London Metropolitan University (North Branch)Conference notes:
Conference believes:
Conference resolves to:
CARRIED HE19 'Total Place': outsourcing of HR and other functions - Yorkshire and Humberside regional HE committeeHESC notes with concern moves to outsource functions such as human resources and facilities management to external units, such as Total Place, where the resource is shared with other organisations. This has implications for university governance, local collective bargaining and the jobs of UCU members. It instructs HEC to:
CARRIED HE20 Grading and transparent promotion criteria - University of LiverpoolConference deplores the serious lack of transparency and consistency in promotion criteria, including those for promotion to professor and academic-related grade 10, which Conference instructs HEC:
CARRIED HE21 Promotion and professional development for academic-related staff - Academic-related staff committeeThe 2010 Academic Related (AR) annual meeting noted significant concerns from branches over promotion and professional development for AR staff since the introduction of the Framework Agreement. HESC recognises the sector funding difficulties and the pressure on budget holders to cut costs across institutions. However, continued support for professional development and training opportunities for existing AR staff will allow institutions to maximise past investment and deliver the services required to meet changing staff and student needs. HESC calls upon the HEC, in conjunction with the ARSC, to:
CARRIED HE22 Imposed assimilation arrangements for hourly-paid staff - Anti-casualisation committeeWhen branches are negotiating collective agreements for groups of staff (such as hourly-paid staff) in which the UCU has low membership density, and which universities rely on exploiting, universities may impose arrangements for assimilation to the pay and grading structures which include provisions the UCU finds unacceptable and which would not pass the UCU's ratification panel. In such cases, it is imperative that the local UCU branch publicise (via their website and to their membership) exactly what portions of the arrangements made agreement impossible, and why, and how they aim to improve the situation. Otherwise, the UCU's perceived agreement to unacceptable terms of employment for marginalised groups of staff can be an obstacle to future organising among these staff, and demoralise UCU activists who had been involved in trying to improve employment conditions for such staff. CARRIED HE23 Funding cuts - Southern regional HE committeeThis sector conference is gravely concerned at government's announced cuts to HE funding and the inevitable consequences in terms of reduction in the unit of resource and undermining of the quality of provision, HEIs are threatening cuts in teaching staff leaving which would leave those who remain to take up the load. This will inevitably result in further stress on members who already put in more unpaid overtime than any other profession. In this context, sector conference instructs the HEC as a matter of urgency to organise a campaign on workload protection and to ensure that the National Agreement is fully implemented. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE23A.1 - Academic related committee First sentence, after comma: HEIs are threatening cuts in teaching staff leaving ... Delete 'teaching' and 'leaving'. CARRIED HE23A.2 - Higher education committee In the final paragraph replace 'organise a' with 'continue to'. In the final paragraph, after 'workload protection and to' add 'support branches to'. In the final paragraph, before 'National Agreement' add 'post-92'. CARRIED Substantive motion This sector conference is gravely concerned at government's announced cuts to HE funding and the inevitable consequences in terms of reduction in the unit of resource and undermining of the quality of provision, HEIs are threatening cuts in staff which would leave those who remain to take up the load. This will inevitably result in further stress on members who already put in more unpaid overtime than any other profession. In this context, sector conference instructs the HEC as a matter of urgency to continue to campaign on workload protection and to support branches to ensure that the post-92 National Agreement is fully implemented. HE24 Increased workload and stress - Birkbeck, University of LondonConference deplores the crisis in higher education funding, which is leading to cuts and threats of cuts in funding to institutions across the country. Conference notes that the pressures to improve both recruitment and retention without increasing staff numbers, and in some cases even reducing staff numbers through redundancies, have led to poor morale and heavy workloads for many academic and academic-related staff and have had an impact on the services we provide to students. This situation has led to an increase in the already high levels of stress, with many colleagues suffering from long-term stress-related illnesses and disabilities or even leaving university employment, thus creating ever higher workloads and levels of stress for those remaining. Conference instructs UCU to make workload and stress a focus of its campaign to defend higher education funding and in its negotiations with individual institutions and UCEA. CARRIED HE25 Performance Management of Research - Queen Mary, University of LondonCongress notes that HE institutions are attempting to introduce or widen the application of performance management criteria. For individuals these include research grant income, publication quality and rates and numbers of PhD students supervised, most of which are not under the control of the individual. The aim is to maximise grant income and publications suitable for submission under the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Staff who fail to meet set criteria are subjected to disciplinary measures, mistreated, made ill and forced to resign. There is scant evidence that the measures are effective. Taken across the sector, they lead to the degradation of university life, narrowing the range of research undertaken, curtailment of academic freedom, poor teaching, student dissatisfaction, and the decline of UK universities' standing in the world. Congress therefore instructs the NEC to organise a campaign of opposition to formal research performance management procedures and to promote in their place effective consent-based management. CARRIED HE25A.1 - Higher education committee In final paragraph, replace 'NEC' with 'HEC in conjunction with ROCC'. CARRIED Substantive motion Congress notes that HE institutions are attempting to introduce or widen the application of performance management criteria. For individuals these include research grant income, publication quality and rates and numbers of PhD students supervised, most of which are not under the control of the individual. The aim is to maximise grant income and publications suitable for submission under the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Staff who fail to meet set criteria are subjected to disciplinary measures, mistreated, made ill and forced to resign. There is scant evidence that the measures are effective. Taken across the sector, they lead to the degradation of university life, narrowing the range of research undertaken, curtailment of academic freedom, poor teaching, student dissatisfaction, and the decline of UK universities' standing in the world. Congress therefore instructs the HEC in conjunction with ROCC to organise a campaign of opposition to formal research performance management procedures and to promote in their place effective consent-based management. HE26 Research Excellence Framework and the 'impact' agenda - Higher education committeeConference notes the:
Conference believes that the 'economic impact' agenda:
Conference believes that universities must be spaces in which the spirit of adventure thrives and where researchers enjoy academic freedom to push back the boundaries of knowledge in their disciplines. Conference, therefore, calls on HEFCE to:
CARRIED HE27 Research Excellence Framework - University of Brighton FalmerConference notes the:
Conference believes that there should be a system of public accountability for the use of public funds for research but that it should not be market-driven or competitive. Conference instructs the HEC
CARRIED HE28 Research impact assessment and policy research - LSEConference notes and endorses the concerns expressed by:
Conference notes that research, particularly in social and public policy fields, that supports current Government strategy is more likely to be adopted and thus show demonstrable impact. Conference is alarmed that measurement of impact of policy research will discourage oppositional and critical research and lead to conformity and loss of academic freedom. Conference instructs HEC to contact academic professional bodies concerned with policy research to initiate a joint campaign to highlight these threats to academic freedom and the likely curtailment of informed public debate. CARRIED HE29 The impact of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) on black members - Black members standing committeeConference notes with some concern the impact the Research Excellence Framework (REF) will have on black researchers in higher education. With regard to ethnicity, the selection rate for black staff was found to be significantly lower than all other ethnic groups. A qualitative study undertaken on behalf of the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) – analysed RAE codes of practice and other RAE equality-related documentation. The report identifies a number of deficiencies with the equality process, such as nonexistent or inadequate impact assessments, a failure to involve staff unions in the development of RAE codes of practice and inconsistencies in the treatment of 'personal circumstances'. The funding councils claim that it is one of the aims of the REF 'to promote equality and diversity' Conference resolves to press for the establishment of a specialist equality group made up of key stakeholders to address these inequalities. CARRIED HE30 The REF and women - Women members standing committeeThe REF raises particular concerns for women. The 25% weighting proposed for 'economic and social impact' is likely to impact adversely on the arts and humanities, areas where there is a higher concentration of women academics and researchers. This will further exacerbate the problem of exclusion of women which arose in past RAE exercises. Conference notes that campaigning by UCU led to greater recognition of equality issues in RAE 2008. It calls on UCU
CARRIED HE31 Research funding - Higher education committeeConference notes the call by the government for "more research concentration where institutions are strongest" (Higher Ambitions). At the same time, conference notes that high quality research is undertaken across a wide range of UK higher education institutions. Conference believes that the further concentration of research funding would carry with it
Conference, therefore, calls on the government to reverse its policy of further research concentration and to recognise and reward high-quality research wherever it exists. CARRIED HE32 Academic freedom - Higher education committeeConference believes that the freedoms to conduct research, teach, speak, and publish without interference or penalty, are increasingly under threat in UK higher education. Conference, therefore, welcomes the re-launch of the UCU's academic freedom statement and calls for branches and local associations to promote it widely amongst the membership and to contact VCs and Principals asking them to endorse the statement. Conference also recognises the continuing relevance of the 1997 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Recommendation on the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel, particularly its belief that security of employment constitutes "one of the major procedural safeguards of academic freedom and against arbitrary decisions." Conference supports the development of a new UCU 'academic alert' system and calls for the HEC to prioritise the defence of academic freedom in 2010-11. CARRIED HE33 Defence of academic freedom in higher education - University of LeedsConference notes that government inspired plans to restructure the University of Leeds were put on hold by the determination of Leeds UCU to take strike action. In the likely event that renewed efforts will be made by any future government to attack our sector following the May election, conference resolves to support to the hilt every branch and LA fighting to defend jobs. Conference further resolves that the fight for jobs is a defence of academic freedom and will build a national campaign in defence of higher education jobs and academic freedom and will seek international support including appeals to such organisations as AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and CAUT (Canadian Association of University Teachers). Such a campaign will include the creation of an international strike fund in defence of academic jobs and freedom. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE33A.1 - Higher education committee In the first sentence of the final paragraph:
Start the second sentence of the final paragraph with 'Conference asks the HEC to explore building an international campaign linking these issues with international sister unions such as' and delete 'and will seek international support including appeals to such organisations as'. In last sentence of the final paragraph, after 'Such' replace 'a campaign' with 'an approach'. In the last sentence of the final paragraph, replace 'creation of' with 'proposal to create'. CARRIED Substantive motion Conference notes that government inspired plans to restructure the University of Leeds were put on hold by the determination of Leeds UCU to take strike action. In the likely event that renewed efforts will be made by any future government to attack our sector following the May election, conference resolves to support to the hilt every branch and LA fighting to defend jobs. Conference further resolves that the fight for jobs and the defence of academic freedom are often linked and instructs the HEC to take this into account in the existing national campaign in defence of higher education jobs and academic freedom. Conference asks the HEC to explore building an international campaign linking these issues with international sister unions such as AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and CAUT (Canadian Association of University Teachers). Such an approach will include the proposal to create an international strike fund in defence of academic jobs and freedom. HE34 Research, academic freedom and reform of the libel laws - Northumbria UniversityConference is extremely concerned at the way that UK libel laws can be used to stifle genuine enquiry and criticism, and gives the power to shut down valid comment to those who can outspend their critics. Conference notes that recent examples of this behaviour include the libel proceedings involving scientists giving expert opinion on the efficacy of specific treatments. Conference pledges support to the Libel Reform Campaign, endorses its petition statement, and urges the government to reform UK libel laws to restore the balance between free speech and the protection of reputation. CARRIED HE35 Thomson Reuters control over the academic press - LSEConference notes:
Conference expresses it deep concern that the careers of UK university staff are in the control of a private company. Conference instructs the HEC to call for independent public scrutiny of the selection process for Web of Science and similar resources to ensure that all approaches to academic research are given equal treatment. CARRIED HE36 Overseas working - Higher education committeeHESC notes that in recent years many UK higher education institutions have established international collaborations and overseas campuses, involving UCU members being posted overseas. Although members can find overseas working necessary and/or attractive, HESC notes that support for HEI staff posted overseas has not always been satisfactory. Travel and accommodation standards and local facilities overseas have not always been of an adequate standard, and employers have not always paid proper attention to ensuring that the health and safety of staff is guaranteed, that workloads are not excessive, and that equality principles and academic freedom are guaranteed. HESC welcomes the advice to members on overseas working adopted by HEC and instructs it to develop further this advice and to include negotiating advice to branches/LAs, with a view to ensuring that employee rights and terms and conditions of employment are adequately safeguarded. CARRIED HE37 HE funding and tuition fees - Manchester Metropolitan UniversityHESC notes the increasing debts that graduates in England and Wales face due to rapidly rising tuition fees. We note that many tens of thousands of applicants were without places in 2009/10 and this figure will be much higher in 2010/11. We call for the reversal of short-sighted cuts and for increased funding in HE in the current financial crisis and recession. HESC demands equal opportunities for part-time students, the removal of equivalent or lower qualification (ELQ) regulations and the cap on student numbers, all of which deny opportunities for many who most need them and make a mockery of the claim to provide lifelong education; HESC demands (in the short term) that the stunningly inefficient Student Loans Company be taken out of private hands and renationalised and subsequently replaced by the provision of a progressive maintenance grant and bursary system. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE37A.1 - Higher education committee At the end of the first sentence add ', restates its principled opposition to tuition fees and resolves to oppose vigorously any attempt to raise the fee cap.' CARRIED Substantive motion HESC notes the increasing debts that graduates in England and Wales face due to rapidly rising tuition fees, restates its principled opposition to tuition fees and resolves to oppose vigorously any attempt to raise the fee cap. We note that many tens of thousands of applicants were without places in 2009/10 and this figure will be much higher in 2010/11. We call for the reversal of short-sighted cuts and for increased funding in HE in the current financial crisis and recession. HESC demands equal opportunities for part-time students, the removal of equivalent or lower qualification (ELQ) regulations and the cap on student numbers, all of which deny opportunities for many who most need them and make a mockery of the claim to provide lifelong education; HESC demands (in the short term) that the stunningly inefficient Student Loans Company be taken out of private hands and renationalised and subsequently replaced by the provision of a progressive maintenance grant and bursary system. HE38 Higher education – front line service - University of GlasgowThis conference recognises the importance of universities' defining role as centres for advancing knowledge and promoting intellectual and personal development. Conference notes that recognition of this is central if we are to maintain and enhance our increasingly vital contribution to the UK's economic development, its technological innovation, and its evidential base for public policy. Within the emerging culture of cuts in funding to the public sector it is vital that we maintain this profile as a front line service that is critical to the positive and sustainable development of our society. Conference calls on HEC to campaign vigorously to promote the positive contribution to society by HE. CARRIED HE39 Capping of student university places - Southern regional HE committeeThis sector conference is very concerned about the effects of capping the number of student places available at universities. The capping of student recruitment means that:
Conference demands the abolition of capping and a return to a situation of just and fair access to places, instead of the seesawing effect created by capping that puts jobs at risk and disadvantages students. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE39A.1 - Women members standing committee Add new point ii (and renumber subsequently: Women, disabled members and LGBT people, including those with excellent qualifications will be particularly disadvantaged. Add at end: As part of the campaign against capping HESC instructs HEC to write to the education minister to convey our firm belief that capping will have severely disciminatory effects with regards to a disproportionate reduction in access to university for all women. Call for an equality impact of the likely impacts of capping to be carried out. CARRIED Substantive motion This sector conference is very concerned about the effects of capping the number of student places available at universities. The capping of student recruitment means that:
Conference demands the abolition of capping and a return to a situation of just and fair access to places, instead of the seesawing effect created by capping that puts jobs at risk and disadvantages students. As part of the campaign against capping HESC instructs HEC to write to the education minister to convey our firm belief that capping will have severely disciminatory effects with regards to a disproportionate reduction in access to university for all women. Call for an equality impact of the likely impacts of capping to be carried out. HE40 HE governance - Higher education committeeConference is concerned to note that the growth of managerial models in the governance of HE institutions continues apace, despite the absence of evidence to link these with improved institutional effectiveness. In fact the recent disastrous failures in HEI governance clearly demonstrate that private sector led approaches have resulted in a weakening of collegiate decision making, eroded the role of staff and student representatives, and undermined even minimum standards of good governance. Conference also recognises the direct and adverse impact that failures in governance can have on our members' jobs. Conference calls on government to reverse its policy of increasing the role of the private sector in the governance of HEIs. Conference supports continued monitoring of governance practice in the HE sector. Conference calls on HEC to develop a charter for HE governance and take forward activities to improve engagement with elected staff on HEI governing bodies in 2010 -11. CARRIED HE41 Hidden and mental health discrimination: more data needed - Academic-related staff committeeHESC recognises that members face discrimination, victimisation and harassment for many reasons involving protected equality characteristics, especially in an era of tightening budgets. Staff with hidden and/or mental disabilities or those resulting from stress (especially as workloads increase) are especially under?represented in our understanding of the problems faced. We would like to see this group better understood and resourced. UCU does not have comprehensive data on the scale of the issues faced, nor how branches are responding to these challenges. HESC therefore calls upon the HEC to carry out a survey in conjunction with the academic related staff committee (ARSC)
CARRIED AS AMENDED HE41A.1 - Academic-related staff committee First bullet point: after 'AR staff specifically and HE staff in general', insert 'with hidden and/or mental health disabilities' (drafting amendment) CARRIED Substantive motion HESC recognises that members face discrimination, victimisation and harassment for many reasons involving protected equality characteristics, especially in an era of tightening budgets. Staff with hidden and/or mental disabilities or those resulting from stress (especially as workloads increase) are especially under?represented in our understanding of the problems faced. We would like to see this group better understood and resourced. UCU does not have comprehensive data on the scale of the issues faced, nor how branches are responding to these challenges. HESC therefore calls upon the HEC to carry out a survey in conjunction with the academic related staff committee (ARSC)
HE42 Defend health education - Higher education committeeNHS spending will decrease substantially from 2011/12. This is likely to lead to cuts in funding for all health care professionals. The health education sector is still coping with substantial budget cuts over the past 3 years , resulting in redundancies for many and high workloads for staff who remain in the sector. Furthermore, employers are not replacing health educators when they retire, resulting in growing age profile imbalances in the sector. Conference calls on the HEC to continue its campaigning work alongside sister unions, clients and carers, to protect jobs and employment conditions and the future provision of care to patients. Multi–professional education and training budgets should be ring-fenced in order to prevent them being raided to offset cuts in patient services. Demographic data on the age profile of health educators should be monitored and pressure put on employers to replace retiring staff. CARRIED HE43 Composite Regulation of internships - London Metropolitan University (City Branch), Yorkshire and Humberside regional HE committeeConference notes:
Conference believes:
Conference instructs HEC:
CARRIED HE44 Teacher education - University of GlasgowUCU HE Conference notes with concern the proposals to drastically reduce the number of funded teacher training places in Scotland – the equivalent of a 40% cut. Similar long term cuts in the rest of the UK will also no doubt be considered. Conference states that teacher educators are first and foremost skilled educators with vast experience which is essential for providing skilled and motivated teachers. HESC commends UCU Scotland for its committed action against the teacher education cuts in Scotland and for working to ensure that teacher education has a sustainable and long term future. HESC instructs HEC and the campaign team to liaise with UCU Scotland officials to learn from their experience, to begin campaigning now to highlight the long term importance of teacher education to our HE institutions and to wider society and to support industrial or other action as called for by branches. CARRIED AS AMENDED HE44A.1 - Higher education committee In second sentence of the final paragraph replace 'and the campaign team to liaise' with 'to liaise with ROCC and,' CARRIED Substantive motion UCU HE Conference notes with concern the proposals to drastically reduce the number of funded teacher training places in Scotland – the equivalent of a 40% cut. Similar long term cuts in the rest of the UK will also no doubt be considered. Conference states that teacher educators are first and foremost skilled educators with vast experience which is essential for providing skilled and motivated teachers. HESC commends UCU Scotland for its committed action against the teacher education cuts in Scotland and for working to ensure that teacher education has a sustainable and long term future. HESC instructs HEC to liaise with ROCC and with UCU Scotland officials to learn from their experience, to begin campaigning now to highlight the long term importance of teacher education to our HE institutions and to wider society and to support industrial or other action as called for by branches. HE45 HE delivery in FE colleges - Higher education committeeConference agrees that all students should be able to access the most suitable learning environment for their needs and aspirations. Conference is concerned that the current funding and policy environment increases the likelihood of further expansion of HE provision in FE institutions as a cost-cutting measure which is likely to impact on quality. Conference calls on the HEC to work with the further education committee:
CARRIED HE46 USS review - Higher education committeeHESC notes the outcome of the consultative ballot of members on the USS review. Sector conference instructs HEC to pursue a strategy to ensure that the USS pension scheme remains an attractive and affordable pension scheme. Conference agrees that should attempts be made to change the scheme without UCU agreement then HEC should implement a strategy to pursue an industrial dispute with the employers. CARRIED HE47 Pension contributions: staff with more than 40 years' pensionable service - Cardiff UniversityThat, as a matter of urgency, especially given the Government's plans for a higher retirement age, UCU take all possible action to ensure that all pre-92 HE universities continue to make pension contributions to USS in respect of staff with more than 40 years' pensionable service. Not to do so, as is currently the case in some universities, is effectively a pay cut for staff who have worked more than 40 years or who have bought in additional voluntary contributions. CARRIED L5 Composite: Defending the USS pension scheme - University of Leeds, UCL, Goldsmiths University of LondonCongress deplores the vicious attack by university employers on the USS pension scheme, including:
Five million workers in public sector pension schemes cost the public purse £4.1 billion per year, in contrast to the £10 billion cost of tax relief on the private pensions of the super-rich top 1% of earners. HESC resolves that UCU will declare a national dispute with the employers over the future of USS. This dispute should continue until the employers' representatives' proposals for changes in USS are withdrawn and negotiations, conducted through the Joint Review Group (JRG) until a few weeks ago, are reconvened again on UCU terms. This Conference is dismayed at what it has learned about the behaviour of the employers' representatives on the JRG. In addition to and where relevant instead of the current UCU proposed reforms, conference calls upon its national negotiators to make the following demands:
UCU resolves to give all possible support, making these and similar arguments, in the campaign to defend USS, up to and including industrial action. CARRIED AS AMENDED L5A.1 - University of Stirling Add new point: e. to make it mandatory that excessive salary increases in later years are excluded for the purposes of pension calculations by USS directors. CARRIED Substantive motion Congress deplores the vicious attack by university employers on the USS pension scheme, including:
Five million workers in public sector pension schemes cost the public purse £4.1 billion per year, in contrast to the £10 billion cost of tax relief on the private pensions of the super-rich top 1% of earners. HESC resolves that UCU will declare a national dispute with the employers over the future of USS. This dispute should continue until the employers' representatives' proposals for changes in USS are withdrawn and negotiations, conducted through the Joint Review Group (JRG) until a few weeks ago, are reconvened again on UCU terms. This Conference is dismayed at what it has learned about the behaviour of the employers' representatives on the JRG. In addition to and where relevant instead of the current UCU proposed reforms, conference calls upon its national negotiators to make the following demands:
UCU resolves to give all possible support, making these and similar arguments, in the campaign to defend USS, up to and including industrial action. HE48 Censure and academic boycott - Higher education committeeConference approves the draft censure and academic boycott policy as detailed in circular UCUHE/56 (pdf). CARRIED |
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