UCU: Cross-border mergers and UCU organisation

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. The merger of Newcastle College with Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College on 1st August 2007;
2. The distance of 170 miles between the main campuses of each college;
3. The existence and co-operation of two branches within this one institution – based at each of the main campuses;
Congress believes that:
1. Mergers like this (and further 'out of region trading') could become more prevalent;
2. The current democratic structures of the union did not envisage such a cross-border merger;
3. Current practice at local, regional and national level needs re-visiting in light of this;
Congress instructs the NEC to consider the implications of the above and
bring forward rule changes to 2009 Congress that:
ensure the full democratic participation of union members;
take into account the current structures of the union;
ensure the union can move forward with both current and future
cross-border mergers.