Please pass Unite UCU motion on a safe and professional workplace

News, UNITE The Union 0
UCU workers on strike
Spread the love

Motion regarding Unite UCU Dispute over a Safe and Professional Workplace

Note: This is a model motion, please edit it to suit the needs and capabilities of your branch.

Download text version of the motion here

This branch notes:

  1. The Unite UCU branch (the Unite branch for staff members who work for UCU) has been in a dispute over a Safe and Professional Workplace with UCU as their employer since 20 March, 2024, and has called indefinite strike action beginning 9 September. 
  2. Detailed information about the dispute can be found on the Unite UCU website, including information on:
    1. Stress experienced by UCU staff: Over the last two full years the working days lost to stress and mental ill-health absences have increased by 279%. During the first six months of 2024, 265 working days were lost directly due to work-related stress. 
    2. UCU breachingtheir Recognition Agreement with Unite by unilaterally recognising another union for UCU managers.
    3. The UCU Black Members Standing Committee raising concerns about racism within UCU, with many of the members withdrawing from UCU activism. Link.
    4. Unite not being invited to agree the external investigator or terms of reference for an  independent investigation into UCU’s organisational culture.
    5. UCU SMT refusing invitations to talk or consult with Unite’s Health & Safety Officer.
  3. Whilst Unite UCU is a national branch, several members live and work in Sheffield.

This branch believes:

  1. That solidarity in the Community Youth Workers and Not for Profit sector is vital to improving working conditions for us all.
  2. That as a well established Trade Union, UCU should set an unimpeachable example as an employer by abiding by collective agreements and by meeting their legal duties and implementing best practices of employment. UCU leadership should engage meaningfully with the UCU dispute.
  3. That if UCU leadership is no longer capable of safeguarding its own staff, it will not be properly and effectively able to defend UCU members.
  4. That as Trade Unionists we cannot accept racism within Trade Unions, and that UCU leadership needs to take effective steps to tackle institutional racism with involvement from Unite. 

This branch resolves to:

  1. Make a donation to Unite UCU’s strike fund.
  2. Publicly share a statement of support with Unite UCU, either through social media (@UniteUCU) or by emailing unite.le127@gmail.com
  3. Share information on the dispute with members, and encourage members to individually offer support to Unite UCU on social media (@UniteUCU) and through donations to the LE127 Strike Solidarity Fund
  4. Bring this motion to your next local TUC meeting and encourage other branches to pass a similar motion.
  5. Invite a member from Unite UCU to speak at a branch meeting by emailing unite.le127@gmail.com