UCL-UCU: Reminder - GTVO EGM for all members Wednesday 12 October 13.00

The meeting is about the current industrial action ballot, and is your chance to feedback on the current USS and pay campaign. 

We have also received two motions (see Appendix below):

• A motion proposing escalating strike action and ASOS to win the dispute
• A local motion on UCL’s disability support provision

We also have invited speakers from other TUs on campus, including the IWGB who are taking strike action of their own.

Agenda

1. Introduction and update on our ballot
2. Invited TU speakers (including IWGB solidarity message)
3. Winning the ballot because we can win the dispute (Motion 1 below)
4. What you can do in the last 10 days of the ballot
5. Motion 2 on EDI and disability

News on USS pensions: it has now been confirmed unequivocally that the 30-40% cuts in to your USS pension benefits pushed through by the employers this year were not only entirely unnecessary, but could be immediately restored at no cost. 

However they have so far refused to reverse these cuts, and will only be convinced to do so by members being prepared to vote for action.

UCL UCU Executive Cttee

www.ucl.ac.uk/ucu

@ucl_ucu

PS: We’re hearing reports of missing ballot papers from quite a few members, so if you haven’t located yours, here’s what to do. Please hurry, as there’s not much time. Every single vote matters, please make yours count!

PS2: if you sent of your ballot paper over a week ago, but still got an email from Civica about voting on Friday afternoon, then your ballot may not have made it. In which case, you need to order a replacement before Wed midnight and vote again (postal disruptions may be to blame).

Appendix: Motions for debate

Motion 1: We can win the ballot because we can win the dispute

UCL UCU notes:

1. The increasing number of unions taking action over the cost-of-living crisis, and the growing coordination between unions.
2. Previous Conference decisions in favour of hard-hitting escalating action rather than token strike days.
3. The success of last summer’s marking and assessment boycotts.

UCL UCU believes:

1. That while we aim for a huge majority on a big turnout, 50%+1 is enough to call hard-hitting escalating action.
2. Only serious industrial action will shift the employers.

UCL UCU calls for (and instructs any of its delegates to support):

1. Democratic control of the dispute via branch delegate meetings that are empowered to discuss motions from branches.
2. Hard-hitting, escalating strike action backed by ASOS, including escalating to a marking and assessment boycott.

Motion 2: EDI Disability support at UCL

UCL UCU believes:

1. that the position of the UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) manager for disability should be a permanent one, given UCL’s recent press release with a target to improve the mental health of disabled staff by 8% on its staff survey.  
2. without any permanent members of staff in EDI focused on disability, hitting this target is going to be impossible.   
3. Failing to adequately resource this target only serves to make disabled staff feel more marginalised, making it more difficult to address their many concerns.

UCL UCU resolves to call on UCL:

1. to ensure permanent – and sufficient – resourcing for disability specifically is put in place.
2. to request that a permanent EDI Manager for Disability Equity at an appropriate Grade level, managing the whole program of work for both staff and student disability equity, and any complex casework.
3. to request that UCL have a permanent Project Officer (at an appropriate grade level) role for reasonable adjustments (dealing with all queries to do with reasonable adjustments including inbox management, workplace needs assessments, access to work administrative support for staff, general support for Disabled/Neurodivergent staff), providing support for reasonable adjustments training.
4. to request a permanent Project Officer (at an appropriate grade level) managing individual schemes and programs (e.g. external accreditation programs like Disability Confident, Business Disability Forum, general Disability Equity initiatives.
5. to request a fixed-term Project Officer (at an appropriate grade level) ASAP with the specific remit of supporting UCL’s return to campus/roll out of the new hybrid working policy.