Passed unanimously by 81 votes at GUCU branch meeting Weds 12 Jan 2022
Branch Motion on Health and Safety (Covid-Omicron variant)
This Branch notes:
– that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to public health: for those infected, it can result in fatalities and long-term disability
– that the Omicron variant is a more transmissible form of the virus
– that the disease is airborne, transmitted by shared particles in the air when people gather
– that higher-grade face coverings (PPE grade FFP2 and FFP3) are the minimum personal mitigation proven to be effective
– that the UK Government has failed to provide workplaces with equipment and funding to properly ventilate workspaces and filter the air
– that a large number of UK industries are advising employees to continue working from home; advice applied to non-student-facing staff at Goldsmiths
– that Goldsmiths Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan includes the Amber and Red scenarios for online teaching.
– that the ‘peak’ of this outbreak is predicted to occur in mid-January, but may take longer if outbreaks in schools (primary and secondary) are exponential
– that major outbreaks are not only a hazard to physical health, but create organisational chaos and a mental health burden to staff and students, where reasonable and flexible options are not built-in
This branch demands:
– unless consistent, transparent ventilation readings of CO-2 800ppm or less are provided for a teaching venue while the room is occupied, any teaching should be delivered online (until the end of January, with a weekly review until Reading Week)
– that management look into acquiring HEPA filters, in line with UK Government recommendations
– that any face-to-face access to facilities is subject to a booking or click-and-collect system, where numbers are controlled
– that staff are supplied with FFP2 and FFP3 masks, by Goldsmiths
– that students are also supplied with FFP2 masks (not cloth face coverings)
– that any staff seeking to work online due to health concerns receive no detriment
– a prominent display of a case dashboard
This branch resolves:
– to act on the duty to protect members from physical and mental health hazards
– to advise management that only risk assessments that acknowledge the high level of transmissibility of this variant, are deemed by us, as suitable and sufficient
– to rely upon verifiable data relating to ventilation standards and to seek further reassurance as to high ventilation standards
Branch Motion on Health and Safety (Mental Health)
This Branch notes:
– Management’s failure to produce the results of a Wellbeing survey from 2020-2021 (promised for delivery in Autumn 2021)
– Management’s omission in not producing a risk assessment into the mental health impact of the Recovery Plan
– The mental health impact of Covid policies relating to teaching delivery and classroom / facilities precautions that have not been surveyed
This branch demands:
– To see the results of the Wellbeing survey 2020-21
– A survey querying the mental health and burnout quotient of staff in the recent past, within 14 days of this motion and results to be shared within 12 weeks
– A risk assessment of the mental health impact of the recovery plan within 14 days of this motion
– Any appropriate and relevant data on resignations by staff related to the Recovery Plan
This branch resolves:
– To investigate and pursue advice on the rights of the workforce to protection from mental health harms relating to both the Recovery Plan and Covid management.
Moved by Pamela K and Evan R – GUCU Health and Safety Officers