Higher Education (HE) Pay Ballot for strike action Sept 2016

Conference notes that Higher Education members were balloted for strike action after employers failed to improve on a 1.1% pay offer for the majority of staff. The Higher Education Service Group Executive (HESGE) recommended that members vote ‘YES’ for strike action in the September 2016 HE Pay Ballot. During the campaign, the growing pay inequality […]

Member-led Democracy

UNISON takes pride in being a member-led, democratic union. It is in this spirit that conference notes with concern the decision taken by our Higher Education Service Group Executive (HESGE) to overturn the democratic decision taken by our members in the 2016 ballot over pay. This decision also overturned the mandate set at this conference […]

Against xenophobic divisions in our universities and communities

This conference notes with concern the proposals by Home Secretary Amber Rudd regarding changes to the way the government approaches international students and their status. We are also concerned about the uncertainty faced by international staff in universities following the Brexit vote. We believe everyone has a right to a decent and happy life and […]

The future Higher Education Service Group within the union

Conference notes the increasing overlap between some of the services provided in Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE), with FE Colleges starting to deliver degree level courses. The future of post 16 education may possibly be joined further with the creation of higher apprenticeships, which is likely to see HE and FE institutions working […]

Removing barriers for disabled workers

This Conference is concerned that research has consistently shown that within the Higher Education sector, disabled staff are not having their access needs met and institutional discrimination against disabled staff is widespread. Disabled workers in Higher Education institutions are disproportionately selected for redundancy, and can face both direct and indirect discrimination when trying to get […]

Campaigning for £10/hour minimum wage across higher education

Conference notes that: 1)In-work poverty is a major issue facing all trade unionists, which should be given urgent attention if we are to address the welfare and confidence of working people and their dependents. 2)UNISON National Delegate Conference (NDC) 2016, (motion 22 as amended) voted to: a)Campaign for a proper living/minimum wage of £10/hour. b)Ensure […]

Organising and Recruiting in Higher Education

Conference notes that the higher education system in the UK is undergoing unprecedented and damaging reforms and changes. Along with severe job losses, outsourcing and restructuring the sector faces numerous challenges as we see increasing marketisation. These challenges have a direct impact on the way we organise and recruit in workplaces. Yet we know that […]

Timing of Higher Education (HE) Conference

This conference notes that: a)Branches should feel fully involved in the formulation of the new Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES) pay claim or in the organisation of the pay campaign. Currently, the Higher Education (HE) Service Group Executive (SGE) pay motion is presented to delegates at the HE Branch Seminar in October […]

Higher Education workers deserve fair pay

Conference notes that members in Higher Education have lost the equivalent of between £1,585 and £8,248 over the last six years, while at the same time having to deliver a professional service despite severe cuts, redundancies, reorganisations and increased workloads. Members continue to carry out their duties even though their pay has failed to keep […]

Organising Outsourced Workers

Conference believes that keeping existing services in-house should be the default position for higher education employers on the grounds that in-house services offer better quality, accountability, efficiency and social value to universities, workers and students. Conference also believes that workers employed by contractors should benefit from union recognition and collective bargaining to defend and improve […]

Workplace Bullying

Conference notes that in recent years, along with increased workloads, increased demands from employers and an increase in work place sickness levels, work place bullying is also on the increase. Unfortunately bullying is no longer exclusive to the school yard, and many adults some of whom experienced bullying in childhood have gone on to suffer […]

UNISON HE Members & Reps Require Improved Mental Health Support

Conference notes that UNISON Higher Education Members are under unprecedented amounts of stress. It is further acknowledged that contributing factors include restructuring, redundancy, inadequate pay and the rising national cost of living. Mental health illnesses take many forms and often make it difficult for both the employer and affected employees to recognise the symptoms, thus […]

Trans inclusion in higher education workplaces

Conference welcomes the increasing numbers of trans members participating in UNISON’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) group and growing acceptance of trans equality as an issue that must be addressed in all workplaces. However, Conference notes the recommendations of the Parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee Inquiry into Transgender Equality, which found persistent and widespread […]

Diamond Review

Conference notes the Diamond Review in its final set of recommendations attempts to create a long term, financially sustainable model which also preserves Wales’ distinctive approach to Higher Education. Key proposals include: A shift from the Tuition Fee Grant towards increased maintenance support. “The focus of undergraduate support for those studying on a full-time basis […]

Closing the Gender Pay Gap

Conference notes that according to the “New Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES): Higher Education gender pay gap data” report which was published in September 2016, the gender pay gap in Higher Education has narrowed. However, it is disappointing to note that despite the Equal Pay Act being enacted over 40 years ago […]