UCU: Bargaining and negotiation support for branches

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. the importance of cohesive bargaining and negotiation support for branches which can be applied in live negotiations
2. challenges in representing and supporting members who fall between bargaining units or lack access to formal legal support
3. significant and growing volumes of briefings, position papers, and counter proposals to challenge management practices in disputes
4. increasing workload of reps and officials given the growing onslaught of attacks on jobs and conditions.
Congress agrees:
a. effective collective bargaining requires practical, coherent tools grounded in the experience of reps on the ground.
Congress resolves to:
i. develop a centrally maintained, updated, reps led toolkit bringing together practical guidance, model language, and case studies to support negotiations, casework, and collective bargaining, including references to employment law and agreements in place with employers.
ii. ensure this toolkit is regularly updated, clearly signposted, and includes template options suitable for use by institutions outside of New JNCHES.

Proposing body: Academic related, professional services staff committee (ARPS)