UCU: Composite: Rebuilding the fight over pay and jobs

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes
1. The failure to implement motion HE9 passed at SHESC May 2024 calling for
UK-wide industrial action in 2024-25.
2. Members’ 2:1 rejection of the pay award and majority in favour of an IA
ballot in the consultative ballot last autumn.
Conference believes
a. UCU’s failure to take UK-wide action has given a green light to employers to
undertake the biggest ever attack on jobs in the sector.
b. UK-wide strike action is a crucial component of a serious campaign to reform
the funding model.
c. An even worse pay offer is likely for 2025-26 than recent years.
Conference resolves to
i. Plan to run the next HE pay campaign linked to a political campaign for a
fully-funded sector calling for emergency measures to save jobs, courses and
the sector.
ii. Declare an industrial dispute as soon as JNCHES dispute resolution
mechanisms are exhausted.
iii. Call a BDM and Special HEC before the summer vacation and initiate a
campaign to win an IA ballot, and timetable a 5/6-week ballot window to
allow action to start in November
iv. To facilitate tours of speakers from striking branches to branch meetings and
provide industrial action briefings
v. Send out detailed briefing notes and organise regional GTVO workshops.
vi. Call a conference to defend HE promoting and debating UCU’s proposals.
vii. Consult members on types of action through regional/devolved nations
meetings and a branch delegate meeting.