This motion was passed at a GUCU Branch meeting on 02/09/2024
This Branch notes:
- That SMT and GUCU have not yet concluded a return to work agreement following the end of the dispute. The following issues remain outstanding:
- The timeframe and deadline for the submission of marks and feedback
- How outstanding marking from colleagues who have left Goldsmiths will be reallocated
- Return of deductions previously taken for work which will now be undertaken
- That while SMT asserts that there have been no compulsory redundancies in-line with the agreement, branch requires clarification relating to unresolved cases involving the categorical deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 14 August
This Branch believes that:
- A formalised, equitable agreement on unresolved issues is essential to ensure the swift completion and return of marking; to pave the way towards improved industrial relations; and to avoid the confusion created by unofficial marking completion dates made via sharepoint and to HoDs
- It is inequitable to require colleagues to undertake work for which they have not been paid
- In order for members to prioritise marking, deductions for ASOS which were taken for April and May should be returned
- SMT should honour both the spirit and the terms of the agreement by ensuring that no employees are at risk of compulsory redundancy including as defined by recognised deadlines
This branch resolves that:
- Until a formalised agreement on these outstanding issues is reached, marking will not be prioritised outside of normal workflow
- Members will only be able to prioritise the swift completion and return of marks if SMT return deductions
- If an agreement is not reached to return deductions members will not change their work patterns or increase their workload to do so
- Until SMT agree formal terms and recognise in full the terms of the Agreement that closed the Dispute, it will be considered as having withdrawn goodwill and that correspondingly members’ goodwill will not be extended as part of working practices.