UCU: Defending Black Workers Facing Job Cuts

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes:
1. The likelihood of job cuts falling disproportionately on Black workers in
Higher Education (HE), exacerbating existing inequalities.
2. The systemic barriers Black staff face, including pay gaps, precarious
contracts, and underrepresentation in senior roles.
3. The need for urgent, sector-wide action to protect Black workers’ jobs,
rights, and career progression and, furthermore, Black curricula.
Conference believes:
a. Job cuts risk deepening structural racial inequalities in HE.
b. UCU must defend Black workers from disproportionate redundancies and the
erosion of Black curricula.
Conference resolves to:
i. Demand all institutions conduct full Equality Impact Assessments before
implementing job cuts.
ii. Push for moratoriums on compulsory redundancies, requesting institutions
explore alternatives, e.g. voluntary severance schemes and redeployment.
iii. Require universities to publish demographic data on redundancies and
retention.
iv. Provide targeted legal and campaign support for Black staff facing
discriminatory job losses.
v. Support FOI requests to obtain equality data.