Emergency motion for action on casualisation

Emergency motion for action on casualisation

passed at GUCU meeting 21.06.2021

This branch notes that:

  1. As noted in the motion in support of Dr Roberto Mozzachiodi that was passed in May, casualisation is a sector-wide issue that to date has not been sufficiently addressed either at a national or local level.
  2. Dr Mozzachiodi’s case is one of many in which casualised staff employment rights are overlooked.
  3. POD and management failed to respond to any of the branch calls for redundancy rights to be upheld.
  4. The motion passed in support of Dr Mozzachiodi stipulates collective action in the event that the College fails to respect his redundancy rights and offer Dr Mozzchiodi suitable alternative work. 
  5. The motion in support of Dr Mozzachiodi also commits to a public campaign against casualisation more broadly.
  6. Dr Mozzachiodi’s case has already generated a public campaign to support him and his fight for a permanent role initiated outside GUCU.

This branch believes that:

  1. Dr Mozzachiodi’s case is exemplary insofar as it lays bare the commonplace violations of casualised workers’ rights at Goldsmiths and across the sector.
  2. A key aspect of Dr Mozzachiodi being denied his redundancy rights has to do with his longstanding work in GUCU organising casualised colleagues, as well as his participation in the campaigns to bring the cleaners and security in-house. As such, this is an example of union busting. 

This branch resolves to:

  1. Support the public solidarity petition in solidarity with Dr Robert Mozzachiodi.
  2. Launch a public-facing campaign in support of Dr Mozzachiodi.
  3. Provide branch support for Dr Mozzachiodi in pursuing his case, including exploring legal channels  
  4. Hold an anti-casualisation solidarity event in July to share member testimonies and experiences of organising alongside Dr Mozzachiodi over the last ten years and organise our broader anti-casualisation campaign.
  5. Hold a series of events and workshops on casualisation in the new academic year, to support and empower casualised staff; and to build active and concrete support for fighting casualisation among permanent staff members.