This branch believes that:
- The proposals outlined in the 10 March all-staff briefing constitute an existential threat to the future of our university and risk causing permanent damage.
- If left unchallenged, these proposals would dismantle the academic workforce beyond recognition.
- The proposals represent an ideological attack on academic careers, advanced by a University Executive Board (UEB) that has repeatedly made financially disastrous decisions.
This branch resolves that:
- We have no confidence in the UEB or in the integrity of the proposals presented.
- We will fight any detrimental changes to existing academic terms and conditions.
- We will fight any proposals that fragment the academic workforce through the introduction of new categories of academic staff.
- We will fight any detrimental changes to pensions.
- We call on UEB to urgently provide full transparency regarding the £18 million of cuts referenced but not yet detailed, and to publish a clear and comprehensive account of where these reductions are intended to fall.
- We call on UEB for full transparency around failed investments including Brent Cross and HEP online.
This branch further resolves to:
- Publicly challenge these proposals and organise collectively to defend our profession, our colleagues, and the future of the university.
- Empower negotiators to challenge these proposals on behalf of UCU members.