Passed on Monday 8 November with 87% in favour *150 in favour, 11 against, 12 abstentions.
This branch notes:
- An unprecedented turnout of 70.2% in the postal ballot on industrial action over proposed redundancies at Goldsmiths, with an overwhelming mandate for action consisting of a 93.3% vote for action short of strike, 85.8% for strike.
- The above indicates strong opposition (and willingness to take action in response) to the University’s threat to make 52 members of staff across the university redundant over the course of the 2021/22 academic year
- Management has failed to agree to GUCU’s demand for no compulsory redundancies, engage in meaningful consultation, or provide a fair and reasonable selection criteria
This branch believes:
- There are no genuine grounds for compulsory redundancies. The only acceptable number is zero.
- Throughout the process, the Senior Management Team has failed to consult in good faith with the campus unions; it is clear that large-scale compulsory redundancies were decided on well in advance of any meaningful consultation with the unions.
- That this attack on jobs is the latest in a long line of failings and mismanagement by the University’s Senior Management Team.
- The Common Curriculum Review and references to future “tranches” of professional services restructuring make clear that these cuts, if delivered, would only be the beginning
This branch resolves:
- To take strike action consisting of 21 days of consecutive days strike from 22nd November, returning on the 13th December 2021 (or, failing this, as soon as is possible with the requirements of industrial relations law)
- Following 21 consecutive days of strike action to begin action short of strike action, including working to contract and non-compliance with the redundancy consultation process but not, at this stage, assessment boycott. Branch to discuss further the possible refusal of face to face teaching.
- To issue an immediate invitation to colleagues across the University who are not members to join if they are eligible to do so.
- To continue the public campaign which highlights the actions of the University’s Senior Management Team and builds support and solidarity through our local, national and international networks.
- To prepare (for use as an escalation tactic at a later date if necessary) a ‘boycott Goldsmiths’ greylisting campaign which aims at securing the withdrawal of all external involvement in the activities of the College, including external examination, speaker events, workshops and conferences.
- To seek the UCU Higher Education Committee support for this dispute as a dispute of national significance.