UCU: Expanding and strengthening shared parental leave

Motion

Motion text: Congress recognises that Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is vital for gender equality
and work-life balance. However, uptake remains low due to financial barriers,
cultural stigma, and inadequate employer support. Many employers fail to
enhance SPL pay, creating unfair disparities.
Congress notes that post-16 Education institutions offer maternity/parental leave
arrangements which are inconsistent with each other and are substantially
inferior to other public schemes, such as the NHS.
UCU resolves:
a. To campaign to replace the failed Shared Parental Leave system with a
model of maternity, paternity and parental leave which is simple to
administer with individual rights and decent pay for all working parents.
b. To launch a high profile UK-wide campaign for 52 weeks on FULL PAY
maternity/parental leave and to work with sister unions, such as the FBU,
to achieve it.