Congress motions

Motion

Motion title

A union for all - press coverage and representation of all members

Session

2020-2021

Meeting link

Annual Congress

Meeting date

29 May 2021

Status

Passed

Motion

24

Motion text

Congress recognises the wide, diverse membership of UCU and that all members from all sectors and staff groups deserve equal representation and visibility. Congress notes UCU’s respect for the work and recognition agreements of unions active in our sector.
Congress further notes that:
1. during the pandemic, UCU has achieved more press coverage for pre-92 HE than other sectors (post-92/FE/Adult/Prison Education) over issues that affect all of education. This media coverage focus on lecturers erases other membership groups in HE (including ARPS), FE, Prison Ed and ACE.
2. reps in some sectors have, at times, felt that they do not have the backing of the union at national level.
This is symptomatic of a view of UCU as a union for pre-92 universities only. Other sectors are a minority in UCU but we must be a united union.
Issues caused by government policy require a national position and action.
We call on UCU to:
a. counter the media narrative, ensuring all press releases are fully inclusive and include all sectors
b. make regular public statements on government policy for all sectors
c. check all national all-member communications are written in a way which includes all sectors.
d. change standard practice on communications and on the website to reflect the diversity of the membership ensuring that academics are not always at the forefront of literature or webpages
e. focus on all sectors in national policy and action
f. develop and implement national strategies to enhance the profile of all UCU sectors and staff, and the union’s work in all sectors, including a ‘not just a lecturers’ union’ campaign
g. campaign for the principle of, and funding for, lifelong learning in this post-pandemic world.

Proposing body

Composite (Yorkshire and Humberside regional committee, Academic-related, professional services staff committee)

Amended

No

Allocated to

Strategy and finance committee (SFC)

Notes