Passed at GUCU branch Meeting 30.11. 2021
This branch notes:
- An unprecedented turnout of 70% in the postal ballot on industrial action over proposed redundancies at Goldsmiths, with an overwhelming mandate (86% for strike and 93% for action short of strike) for action for a period of 6 months.
- The above indicates strong opposition to SMT’s threat to make 52 members of staff across the university redundant over the course of the 2021/22 academic year.
- Management has consistently failed to engage in meaningful consultation or provide fair and reasonable selection criteria for the redundancy process.
- Despite beginning 3 weeks of strike action, management has thus far failed to seriously consider GUCU’s demand for alternatives to redundancies.
This branch believes:
- If SMT does not show signs of meeting GUCU’s demands over the strike period, the branch should be prepared to escalate and diversify their actions.
- We believe SMT has demonstrated serious malpractice in employment relations in the way they have conducted the redundancy process.
- SMT has shown increasing intransigence in the face of an unprecedented ballot outcome and schedule of strike action.
- GUCU has support and solidarity from UCU branches across the sector to be able to take an even stronger stance against our employer.
This branch resolves:
- To submit a request to the national union to apply the sanctions listed in the UCU Censure and Academic Boycott Policy to Goldsmiths.
- To prepare a comprehensive and indefinite application of the Censure and Academic Boycott Policy from January 2022.
- To prepare a high profile ‘Boycott Goldsmiths’ media campaign.