Category Archives: General Meetings

Decisions of general meeting 8 December 2020

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Appointments to committee Equality officer: Lorraine Youds Anti-casualisation officers: Xanthe Whittaker and Joanne Armitage (role share) Committee member (lead on climate and the ecological emergency): Jennifer Fletcher The following motions were agreed: Motion 1: opposing redundancies at Leeds University Leeds UCU: Notes: Faculty of Biological Sciences management communication which hinted at compulsory redundancies if not ‘enough’ staff leave through the voluntary redundancy scheme. that UCU branches (eg. Heriot Watt, Brighton, Northumbria Universities) have recently won ballots for industrial action, despite the obstacles to campaigning during Covid-19 restrictions. Re-affirms our opposition to all redundancies. urges all members to sign the Leeds UCU petition opposing the ‘voluntary’ redundancies in the Faculty of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine. agrees to: demand a commitment from management that no compulsory redundancies will be proposed or made in FBS or SoM. call a dispute if management will not rule out compulsory redundancies. trigger the steps for an industrial action ballot if management pursues compulsory redundancies. Motion amended as above text and carried without opposition. Motion 2: Response to Funding Extensions for PGRs The Leeds UCU Branch notes that: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted many post-graduate research students (PGRs) because of their reduced ability … continue reading

Motions passed at General Meeting on 22 October 2020

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Members of the branch agreed the following motions at the General Meeting on 22 October 2020. Redundancies This branch instructs its officers and committee to organise the necessary steps to mobilise the branch to stop any proposed redundancies in the Faculties of Medicine and Health and Biological Sciences. Motion to UCU LGBT+ members’ conference – Campaign for GRA reforms and against asylum seeker persecution Conference notes that the rise of the alt right and political scapegoating has led to a very significant rise in LGBT+ hate crime and a consequent rise in LGBT+ asylum seekers. Conference further notes the failure of the Government to implement the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) reforms. Conference resolves: To raise the profile of the UCU campaign for reform of the GRA. To campaign for an end to the persecution of asylum seekers. Motion to UCU Women members’ conference – Caring responsibilities during the pandemic Conference notes that: Many members, often women, have caring responsibilities for children or for family members who are older, ill or disabled. COVID-19 has particularly impacted carers’ ability to work their full contracted hours, due for example to children being home because of nursery/school outbreaks, difficulty in arranging tests, and needing … continue reading

Covid-19: motions passed at emergency general meeting 1 October

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Members of the branch agreed the following motions at the emergency general meeting 1 October 2020. Motion 1 Leeds University UCU instructs the Leeds University UCU branch committee to register a dispute with Leeds University management if they insist on proceeding with coercion of staff into face to face activity, which is widely acknowledged to be unsafe. This branch considers this to be in breach of the university policy on Dignity and Mutual Respect. Motion 2 This union recognises: Good practice on Health and Safety in numerous areas by University management. Continuing difficulties and deficiencies in other areas, which must be resolved urgently in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.  This union notes:  The refusal of managers in LUBS to disclose the findings of test surveys carried out on ventilation systems in School premises – including teaching rooms – to UCU Safety Reps.  The lack of a clear undertaking from senior University managers, in response to requests at the “Working Together” (“Town Hall”) meeting on 29 September, 2020, to ensure that such reports would be shared with UCU Safety Reps across the University.  The duty placed upon employers by HSE Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations (1977) and relevant Code of … continue reading

Committee calls emergency general meeting for all members

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In light of the continuing concerns about the health and safety during the pandemic, the committee has called an emergency general meeting Thursday 1st October, 1-2 pm. The meeting will also include a report from our representatives to the UCU special Higher Education sector conference about how universities nationally are responding to the pandemic, including the outcome of the motion we submitted from Leeds. Please put the date in your calendar now! We’ll send details of how to join the meeting by email nearer the time.

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Motions passed at general meeting 15 September

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At a general meeting on 15 September 2020 members voted to support the following motions: Emergency motion 1 – On-line teaching: health & safety and jobs This meeting notes: the call by our GS and iSAGE for all teaching to be held online UCU’s five tests pressures on all staff for face-to-face teaching that iSAGE/WHO believe social distancing, test, track and isolate and PPE are central in controlling pandemics a potential second wave of Covid-19 with high R-rates in Yorkshire/Humberside lives, health, safety and jobs should take priority over the financial ‘bottom line’ The University sits on over £70 million of reserves which must be utilised if necessary to meet demands during this period. This meeting requests: Leeds UCU to campaign for and negotiate agreements on: no face-to-face teaching and student support in at least the first semester of 2020/21 and continued into the second semester (to be reviewed in December 2020) other than where there are no other options, e.g. some practical work all on-line teaching to be accessible provision of IT and safe quiet study spaces for all students and staff as required continuing with high levels of support and training for staff in online teaching, and ensuring … continue reading