Passed at GUCU branch meeting on 02.02.2022 and will be operative pending approval from UCU Higher Education Committee.
Motion on Withdrawal from College Committees
This branch notes:
· That staff across Goldsmiths participated widely in what they believed was a meaningful consultation on the Recovery Programme
· That there were numerous meetings with recognised trade unions, staff and students
· That 21 counter proposals were submitted, by GUCU, Academic Departments and professional staff
· That a further 45 submissions were prepared by staff and students
· That all counter proposals and the vast majority of the 266 separate suggestions have been rejected for failing to “meet design principles” or to achieve “savings targets”
This branch believes that:
· No consultation is meaningful if only responses that accept completely the assumptions and objectives of the restructure are deemed as legitimate.
· In failing to accept even the most modest of counter proposals SMT have failed to consult in good faith
· SMT have failed spectacularly by not considering the financial impact of reputational damage and staff depletion as part of their “design principles” and “savings targets”
· SMT has shown to be incapable of committing to reciprocity
· The so-called “consultation” has involved significant pressure on all staff in terms of their workload and time spent in preparing documents, attending meetings, and putting forward their suggestions and counter proposal
· While the SMT are refusing to recognise staff and their concerns no meaningful consultation can take place
This branch resolves that:
· As part of action short of strike which includes working to contract, staff will withdraw from College-wide committees (with the exception of JNCC, Health & Safety Committee and the Academic Promotion and Titles Subcommittee) and refuse to participate in the forthcoming Comprehensive Curriculum Review.
Proposed by Gholam Khiabany Seconded by Natalie Fenton