This branch notes: 

• That the university is rushing through substantial changes in the process and criteria for promotions; 

• That, whilst promotion is listed as a matter of negotiation in the recognition agreement between the university and UCU, these changes have not been negotiated or agreed; 

• That the university has prioritised academic promotions over improving career progression and promotion for non-academic staff and has created uncertainty for staff in research only and teaching only roles. 

This branch believes that the imposed changes are substantially detrimental to staff for a number of reasons, including: 

• The return to a single annual date of application and promotion rather than a rolling system; 

• Ending the practice of backdating promotion-related pay rises to the date of application; 

• Removing some staff on research only and teaching only contracts from the process of academic promotion when they had previously been able to apply using that process; 

• Failing to provide evidence or any guarantee that the new criteria will not make it more difficult to be promoted; 

• A rushed transition to the new system, meaning that colleagues who cannot submit an application swiftly will be subject to a promotions freeze until 2027 

• No clear provision for promotion from grade 7 to grade 8 

This branch resolves: 

• to call upon the university to pause the introduction of the new procedure and criteria to allow for further development and meaningful negotiation; 

• If the university fails to do this, to call a dispute with the university 

(244 words) Proposed by Chloe Wallace. Moved by Chloe Wallace, seconded by Dan Howdon. The motion was carried at the ordinary general meeting 30 April 2026.

This page was last updated on 15 September 2026