樱花动漫1085

樱花动漫/1085听听 30 April 2021听听

University and College Union

Higher Education

Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH, Tel. 020 7756 2500, www.ucu.org.uk

To听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 HE Branch and local association secretaries

Topic听听听听听听听听听听听听听 minutes, special HESC on USS, 6 December 2019

Action听听听听听听听听听听听 for adoption at HESC 2021

Summary 听听听听 minutes, special HESC on USS, 6 December 2019 听听听听听听听听听

Contact听听听听听听听听听 Paul Bridge, Head of Higher Education 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Christine Bernabe (minutes)

An attendance list can be made available.

1 Welcome and Chair鈥檚 Business

1.1 Vicky Blake, 樱花动漫 Vice President, Chair of HEC and Chair of conference called the special sector conference to order and welcomed all with apologies for a late start This was due to a combination of technological issues and transport issues that meant a number of people were known to be delayed. The Chair of conference informed that conference was quorate and provided information on housekeeping matters. Vicky Blake stated the special conference had been called under the union鈥檚 rules and that it can only conduct business that is relevant to the purpose of the conference. Vicky Blake confirmed the business would be conducted in private and no social media or tweeting was allowed, no distribution or circulation of materials were permitted without the prior approval of the Chair of conference and delegates to further note the Expectation of members at conference; any failure to these would necessitate Chair鈥檚 action.

1.2 Introductions were made from officers at the head table.

1.3 Vicky Blake asked conference to note timings for moving and seconding motions and use of voting cards as required and relevant: yellow (pre-92); red (post-92) and the voting cards correspond to a convention (not a rule) that USS motions are voted on by USS members.

1.4 樱花动漫鈥檚 regional official were appointed as tellers as approved by conference.

2 CBC report

2.1 Megan Povey moved the CBC report in the absence of Alan Barker, Chair of CBC who was unwell and unable to attend. Conference was asked to note motions not ordered onto the agenda, listed as motions A, B and C. However, if these were challenged, CBC asked conference to note conseqentials, that if motion A passes, motion C falls.

2.2 Conference was asked to note conseqentials regarding amendments to motion 4, if 4A.1 passes, 4A.2 and 4A.3 falls and if 4A.2 passes, 4A.3 falls.

2.3 Conference was further asked to note that amendment 3A.1 should be amended to read University of Sheffield (and not the Open University).

2.4 CBC moved the report.

2.5 The CBC report was challenged. Gareth Brown, University of Leicester asked for motion C, Industrial action on USS and pay should be concurrent to be put back on the agenda. This was seconded. Sean Wallis, University College London raised a point of order that 11 signatories had been received for an emergency motion to be put on the agenda. Derek Keenan, University of Strathclyde asked that motion L2, Staff walkout for pension gender inequality to be placed on the agenda. Marian Mayer, Bournemouth University challenged motions 4, 5, and 6 which speak to both post-92s and pre-92s and raised a point of order that sector conference should accommodate both sectors hence this motions should be removed from the agenda; this was formally seconded. Carlo Morelli, University of Dundee asked for motion B, 樱花动漫 consultation over negotiation priorities of branches to be put back on the agenda and that if motion B passes, motion C falls.

2.6 CBC replied to these challenges and did not change its position on the motions and moved its report as previously advised however CBC confirmed they will make a decision on the emergency motion once received.

2.7 The Chair of conference repeated these challenges to conference and called for a vote.

2.8 The challenge to put motion C back on the agenda fell.

2.9 Carlo Morelli subsequently withdrew his challenge to put motion B on the agenda.

2.10 The challenge to put motion L2 on the agenda was carried.

2.11 The challenge to remove motions 4, 5 and 6 off the agenda was lost.

2.12 Following these, the CBC report was amended with the inclusion of motion L2 on the agenda.

3 Reports to conference

3.1 Mark Abel (University of Brighton) and Vice Chair of HEC took the Chair鈥檚 seat.

3.2 Dr Jo Grady, GS addressed conference and called for a minute silence in memory of Dave Guppy, 樱花动漫 nominated pensioner USS trustee and former AUT/樱花动漫 NEC member who had died suddenly. The GS also asked delegates to send support to the members who were currently striking in France on pensions and asked for a photo to be taken after conference. This was agreed by conference. The GS recognised the scale of work which had been undertaken and the 鈥榶es鈥� mandate for strike action subsequently achieved; she expressed her thanks and to the many branches and members who worked hard in getting the vote out and supported picket lines. Lessons can be learnt from the 8 days strike action and the focus should now be on winning the dispute for members. Employers were currently awaiting the results of the general elections and the JEP report. The GS commented that UUK must do more to resolve the dispute and do more to ensure that that they work more effectively with 樱花动漫 to avoid disputes in the future. The GS commented that the union had committed significant resources to the dispute and was determined to win the best possible outcome for members. The GS further commented that 樱花动漫 was working hard to press the employers at the negotiating table and branches would be supported in the rounds of re-balloting. The GS encouraged branches to raise the issues with their VC and engage students and wider membership to work together. Conference applauded.

3.3 Vicky Blake as Chair of the HEC moved the SWG report. Vicky Blake informed conference that negotiators were working hard to get a negotiated outcome and that the dispute can be won. Meetings have been held with employers and it is clear that the first wave of action has made progress. 樱花动漫 and UUK were working on a joint letter which will be sent to USS that covers a number of shared positions relating to the need to change Test 1, improve stakeholder and board engagement as well as changes to the governance of the scheme. The Chair provided updates on the dispute and encouraged branches to keep putting pressure on Vice-Chancellors. Finally, the SWG sends many thanks to the GS and members for all efforts and hard work in that regard. Conference applauded.

3.4 Deepa Deepa Govindarajan Driver, University of Reading and Chair of the National Dispute Committee moved a report from the National Dispute Committee and expressed thanks to branches for the effective action they have taken and to the negotiators for working hard on members behalf. The NDC Chair expressed her pleasure with the ballot results in October and all who had worked exceedingly hard to be able to meet the threshold. To date, the NDC had contributed to the work of the trustee duties, reviewed changes to the articles of association, shared information across branches, made recommendations on the level of contributions, and reiterated the call for the removal of Bill Galvin and support for Jane Hutton. The NDC contributed to the JEP report and strongly criticised levels of secrecy of the trustees. The NDC Chair stated that the committee is now working towards being able to put motions to Congress in the near future. Conference applauded.

3.5 The reports were received by conference and the debate of motions followed.

4.听听听听听 Debate on Motions

1听听听听听听 Legal action against the USS Trustees, University of Dundee proposed by Tim Wilson (University of Dundee) was carried and seconded formally

The activist group Academics for Pension Justice have passed to 樱花动漫 a legal opinion prepared by a QC specializing in pensions law stating that 鈥渢here are good grounds to take this matter to court based on breach of trust鈥�.

Conference thanks Academics for Pension Justice for the very many hours they committed to assembling the legal brief and for passing the resulting opinion to 樱花动漫.

Conference calls on NEC to:

1. Consider the merits of launching legal action as outlined in the legal opinion and report to members by the end of April 2020.

2. Investigate using crowdfunding to fully or partially fund the legal action.

3. Publish the legal opinion as soon as reasonably possible.

2A.1听 University of Dundee was moved by Tim Wilson and carried

Point numbered 1, before, 鈥�..resign鈥�, add 鈥樷€nd all the independent trustees鈥�

Add new point 2:

2. calls for the appointment of new independent trustees committed to operating USS as an open defined benefits scheme

Re-number point 2 as point 3 and delete all after 鈥榠nto his conduct鈥� (鈥樷€nd tasks those negotiating to demand that UUK support these calls鈥�)

Add new point 4:

4. calls for and tasks those negotiating to demand that UUK support these calls.

2A.2听 University of Sheffield was moved by Sam Marsh (University of Sheffield) and also carried

Add at end

In order to effectively push for internal change at USS, it is crucial that 樱花动漫 identify and put pressure on key decision makers. Chief among these decision makers are university heads. This conference therefore calls on 樱花动漫 to develop a comprehensive campaign, including communications strategy and local suggested action plans, to be implemented at the branch level to put pressure on university heads to work towards positive internal change at USS.

听

2.听听听听听 Change within USS as a high priority, University of Sheffield was proposed by Sam Marsh and seconded by Bruce Baker (Newcastle University) and carried as amended by 2A.1 and 2A.2:

Conference notes serious problems with how USS conducts its business, including the appalling treatment of 樱花动漫 director Jane Hutton, the suppression by its Chief Executive and Chair of a complaint of misrepresentation from the Pensions Regulator, inappropriate levels of secrecy, an overbearing control on the flow of information, and a much criticised approach to valuation.

Conference notes the "no detriment" policy previously established, understood as no decrease in benefits and no increase in contributions for members, and supports "no detriment" as a negotiating target.

Conference notes the crucial importance of change within USS in advance of the 2020 valuation, and instructs the HEC/NDC/SWG to pursue this as a high priority. In particular, conference:

1. reiterates its call for the Chief Executive and all the independent trustees to resign

2. calls for the appointment of new independent trustees committed to operating USS as an open defined benefits scheme

3. calls for the suspension of the Chair and an investigation into his conduct

4. calls for and tasks those negotiating to demand that UUK support these calls.

Other speakers in the debate; Deepa Govindarajan Driver (University of Reading), Vicky Blake (Chair of HEC/University of Leeds), Richard Reeve (University of Glasgow), Marion Hersh (University of Glasgow), Justin Mercer (University of Warwick/Midlands).

3A.1听 Open University was moved by Sam Marsh (University of Sheffield). There were questions raised on this amendment by conference. A proposal was also made to take the motion in parts however this fell. Amendment 3A.1 was carried after a vote.

Third sentence (end of first paragraph), delete 鈥榠nclude a full commitment to the recommendations in the first report of the JEP, to the principle no detriment going beyond the next valuation and to improved governance of USS鈥�

Replace with 鈥樷€im to include commitments going beyond the next valuation and improved governance of USS.鈥�

Final sentence (second paragraph), delete all after 鈥楽uperannuation Working Group鈥� and replace with:

鈥樷€o aim for settlements to the USS dispute that are long-term in nature.鈥�

3听听听听听听 No more groundhog days, Open University moved by Lesley Kane (Open University) and seconded by Sean Wallis (University College London) was carried as amended by 3A.1:

This conference believes we need a satisfactory long-term settlement to the USS dispute, rather than one that will require us to fight the same battles repeatedly. We therefore need an agreement that will protect us in the long term. This should aim to include commitments going beyond the next valuation and improved governance of USS. This conference instructs our negotiators, dispute committee and Superannuation Working Group to aim for settlements to the USS dispute that are long-term in nature.

听听听听听听听听 Other speakers in the debate; Joanna de Groot (University of York/National Negotiator), Marion Hersh (University of Glasgow/National Negotiator), Caroline Metz (University of Sheffield), Carlo Morelli (University of Dundee), Renee Prendergast (University of Glasgow).

CBC further report to conference

CBC addressed conference on emergency motions received which were circulated to conference. Megan Povey, CBC moved a late report. CBC ruled L3 (does not qualify) and L4 (already included in the GS address) not be put on the agenda and L5 was ordered unto the agenda and would be taken at the end, following L2.

Sean Wallis (University College London; HEC) challenged the CBC ruling on the basis that he had received the support of 11 branch delegates to L3. CBC ruled again unamended and explained this was based on the rules.

This was further challenged and the Chair called for a vote. L3 subsequently fell following which conference approved the CBC report as moved unamended.

4A.1听 UCL was moved by Josh Hollands (University College London) and fell

Add new Resolves (iii)

iii. accounting for different timetables and Reading Weeks, and timed allowing for branches whose ballots close end January to join, to call national strikes for twelve days in the Spring Term escalating from 2 to 5 days, concentrated for impact with a break of a week as follows: 2, 3 days (Thursday - Wednesday), 0, 2 days (Thursday - Friday), all 5 days per week, thereby evening up the impact on students from recent strikes.

4A.2听 University of Liverpool, was moved by David Whyte (University of Liverpool). This amendment was carried

After Conference resolves that, delete i and replace with

Conference resolves that:

i. We take 14 days of strike action (20th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th February; 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th March). This pattern should spread the action as evenly as possible across different days of the week, so as not to place a disproportionate burden on particular members.听

In developing this proposal, we have taken into account the regional and national variations in the most appropriate timetable for action.

4A.3听 University of Dundee, was moved by Carlo Morelli (University of Dundee; HEC) and this amendment fell

Add at end of motion:

iii听听听听 announce immediately as practicable after conference an intention to strike in the following timetable and note a week's pause is included to allow employers to reach a settlement prior to the action escalating further:

Week [24-28 Feb], 2 days

Week听 [2-6 Mar], 3 days

Week [9-13), [pause]

Wk 9 [16-20 Mar], 5 days

Wk 10 [23-27 Mar], 5 days

iv听听听听 invite branches to adjust one of the strike weeks (as in the 2018 strike) to allow for reading weeks.

4A.4听 UCL was moved by Sean Wallis (University College London) and carried

Add new Resolves points (iv - vii)

iv. USS branches are reballoted for Summer Term action from mid-February to mid-late April, creating a strike mandate as far as late October.

v. the ASOS ballot be extended to include REF, TEF and KEF duties.

vi. branches be encouraged to set up 'Summer Term strike task groups' to identify dates for the most effective strike action to hit examinations, marking and exam boards.

vii. create an appeal to support the national Strike Hardship Fund.

4听听听听听听 Scheduling inclusive and equitable strike action: selecting days and weeks, City University of London was moved by Martin Chivers (University of London) and seconded formally. Joanna de Groot (University of York and HEC) made a proposal to have this motion and amendments remitted however this fell. There was a heated debate and speakers spoke for and against the motion and amendments which included Rhian Keyse (University of Exeter), Caitlen Adams (Open University), Marian Mayer (Bournemouth University), Catherine Pope (University of Oxford; HEC), Marion Hersh (University of Glasgow; HEC), Joanna de Groot (University of York; HEC), Grant Buttars (University of Edinburgh), Richie Reeve (University of Glasgow), Vicky Blake (University of Leeds & Chair, on consequentials), Katja Laug (University of Warwick) ) The Chair reminded conference of the consequentials of the motion and amendments following which the motion was carried as amended by 4A.2 and 4A.4

Conference notes that:

1. Different institutions have different term dates.

2. Most university teaching recurs weekly on the same day.

3. Strike action that hits one day harder than another produces inequities around which students are affected and inequities for staff.

4. Staff inequities may be most consequential for casualised staff whose teaching is concentrated on particular day(s).

Conference believes that:

a. Student support is critical for members鈥� confidence and our effectiveness.

b. Face-to-face classroom-based interaction is an essential mechanism by which members gain student support;

c. Members鈥� typically want actions that are equitable and inclusive.

d. Well-designed action makes it easier for members to participate.

Conference resolves that:

In developing this proposal, we have taken into account the regional and national variations in the most appropriate timetable for action.

ii. To facilitate prior face-to-face discussion with students, concurrent national action is timed so that no branch begins strike action earlier than Week Two of the teaching term.

iii. USS branches are reballoted for Summer Term action from mid-February to mid-late April, creating a strike mandate as far as late October.

iv. the ASOS ballot be extended to include REF, TEF and KEF duties.

v. branches be encouraged to set up 'Summer Term strike task groups' to identify dates for the most effective strike action to hit examinations, marking and exam boards.

vi. create an appeal to support the national Strike Hardship Fund.

5 Disproportionate deductions for ASOS, University of East Anglia was moved by Michael Kyriacou (University of East Anglia) and seconded from the floor. David Whyte (University of Liverpool) spoke in the debate. The motion was carried unanimously.

The HESC notes that:

1.听听 ASOS highlights the volume of unpaid labour that is currently being undertaken in UK HEIs.

2.听听 the failure to reschedule teaching events and other work missed due to strike action should not be considered 鈥減artial performance鈥�.

3.听听 100% deductions for ASOS are a draconian and unnecessarily punitive response to members鈥� legal rights to take industrial action.

4.听听 disproportionate deductions for action short of strike have the greatest effect on our most vulnerable and precarious members.

The HESC therefore resolves to instruct the HEC to:

a. call for an international academic boycott of all institutions that implement disproportionate reductions for ASOS

b. consider how strike fund contributions can be used to off-set any remaining deductions that result from ASOS, especially for our most vulnerable and precarious members

c. authorise local strike ballots if requested by branches where disproportionate deductions have been made.

L1听听听听 Responding to university action to undermine ASOS, City University of London was moved by Keith Simpson (City University) and seconded formally. The motion was carried overwhelmingly (1 abstention)

Conference notes that:

1. The Office for Student鈥檚 Briefing (www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/cd8d548d-92e1-4e26-b29b-522dc55239fa/industrial-action-briefing-note_november-2019.pdf), encourages providers to 鈥榯ake reasonable steps to avoid or limit disruption and do everything possible to minimise or make up for its impact鈥�, suggesting that providers who fail to make sufficient mitigation may breach conditions of registration.

2. Some Universities have understood this as a regulatory requirement to reschedule missed teaching or require that staff take on additional work.

3. This has led to threats of deductions for partial performance, potentially to be imposed ad-infinitum, until missed work is made-up.

4. Members facing ongoing deductions for participation in ASOS may feel isolated and risk victimisation and casualised members may be threatened with work loss.

Conference resolves that:

a. such threats seek to undermine ASOS

b. members facing ongoing deductions or work loss for ASOS will be prioritised for financial support

c. 樱花动漫 will respond to institutional imposition of ongoing deductions or work loss with national strike action.

6听听听听听听 Migrant workers' rights and the dispute,听听听听听听听听 Open University was moved by Richard Bradbury (Open University) and seconded formally. The motion was carried overwhelmingly

Conference reaffirms:

1.听听 the reciprocal importance of 樱花动漫 visibly campaigning for 鈥榤igrant鈥� workers rights鈥� if those workers are to engage in collective action,

2.听听 that a decision to go on strike can be more difficult for members who are in the UK on work visas, and/or working on highly casualised contracts

3.听听 that members should not feel pressured by their peers to take action which jeopardises their right to remain in the UK.

Conference resolves:

a.听听 to produce a statement on the rights of members on work visas, with respect to industrial action

b.听听 that branches highlight this to all members, not only those directly affected

c.听听 that 樱花动漫鈥檚 guidance on actions short of a strike should specifically address the visa position of migrant workers, and other frequently intersecting factors such as fixed-term or atypical contracts.

d.听听 that 樱花动漫 campaign to improve strengthen statutory protections in this area.

L2听听听听 Staff walkout for pension gender inequality, University of Strathclyde was moved by Derek Keenan (University of Strathclyde) and seconded formally. Holly Smith (University College London) asked for clarity and further called for remittance of the motion. A question was raised about timings of the action called for in the motion.

听听听听听听听听 Paul Cottrell, 樱花动漫鈥檚 Head of Democratic services spoke to conference and explained the union鈥檚 policy and rules of the union with regards to the motions which included dates and timelines when action should be held. Conference was asked to note that these motions must be referred to the HEC who has the power to call action. Vicky Blake, Chair responded to questions on this statement seeking clarity.

听听听听听听听听 Following the debate, conference voted to remit L2

Conference recognises gender inequality in the USS pension scheme and that any increased employee contributions will disproportionately affect female staff. Given that the average salary of female staff will be lower (by 21% at Strathclyde), that females are more likely to work part time, to be on casualised contracts and less likely to be promoted, and more likely to leave their academic career earlier than men, this motions resolves:

That HEC instructs all of the branches taking industrial action on the USS dispute stage a walkout on an agreed day in January go draw attention to, and oppose gender inequality in the current pension scheme.

Speakers in the debate included Caroline Metz, Holly Smith, Marion Hersh, Sunil Banga.

L5听听听听 Emergency motion was moved by Deepa Govindarajan Driver (University of Reading; HEC), seconded formally and was unanimously carried

Conference notes that students at the University of Reading are to be disciplined by the management of the university in response to their attempted occupation in support of the climate strikes and 樱花动漫 strikes.

樱花动漫 has policy to support students鈥� right to peaceful protest.

This conference sends a message of solidarity to students who have protested at the University of Reading and calls upon management not to respond to the students in a draconian or heavy-handed manner.

Supported by the following delegations:

University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee, Open University, University of Sheffield, Lancaster University, Durham University, University of Liverpool, University of St Andrews, Southern regional committee, University of Cambridge